Oingt () is a former commune in the Rhône department of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in eastern France. On 1 January 2017, Le Bois-d'Oingt, Oingt and Saint-Laurent-d'Oingt merged becoming one commune of Val d'Oingt. It is a classified and restored mediaeval village overlooking the valley of the Azergues river and belongs to the Pays des Pierres dorées ("Golden stone country"), known for its use of local limestone containing iron oxide which gives it a distinctive golden colour. It is listed as one of the most beautiful villages of France. Geography The village is located in the Beaujolais region, north-west of Lyon, west of Villefranche-sur-Saône and the A6 motorway. It is connected by the D120 (running north–south) to Le Bois-d'Oingt and by the D96 to Saint-Laurent-d'Oingt to the east and Theizé to the west. Topography and hydrology The municipal area stretches along a north–south axis over several hills. The historic village is located at the top of one of these hills at an elevation of about 520 metres. The highest point in the municipality is found on a hill to the north-east of the village, at 652 metres. Nizy Creek, whose source is to the east of the village, falls towards the south along a small valley, reaching 358 metres at the town boundary. Localities La Picotière La Gondolière Font-Vieille Le Crêt du Layet Les Vechères du layet Le Layet du haut et du bas Le Bourg d'en bas La Guillardière History Oingt was built as a Roman castrum, named Yconium, overlooking the approach to Lyon on the Roman road from Anse to Feurs. The Romans introduced the viticulture still prevalent today in the Beaujolais region. The first mention of the lordship of Oingt is found in the cartulary of the abbey of Savigny-en-Lyonnais. In an act of 1093 Umfred d'Oingt is mentioned, whose descendants were lords of the village until 1382. In the thirteenth century, Guichard III, Lord of Oingt, built a motte. Several other constructions in the vicinity were also the product of this noble family, in particular the Château de Châtillon-d'Azergues and the lordship of Oingt extended well beyond the present village. Its legacy can still be seen in the numerous remnants of the thirteenth century new castle, with its Nizy Gate and its Keep, which gave control over the whole region of the Azergues valley. The present church is the old castle chapel. It boasts gilded wooden statues