AGEN

town, capital of Lot-et-Garonne dpartement, Aquitaine rgion, southwestern France. It lies along the Garonne River at the foot of Ermitage Hill (530 feet ), northwest of Toulouse. Mentioned by Julius Caesar as Aginnum, capital of the Nitiobriges people, it was captured by the Frankish king Clovis (509) and was the centre of the countship of Agenais (q.v.). SS. Faith (Foy) and Caprasius were martyred there in 303 under Diocletian. The Cathedral of Saint-Caprais has a 12th-century apse, and Notre-Dame-des-Jacobins is an example of 13th-century Dominican construction. The museum occupies a group of Renaissance mansions. A network of narrow medieval streets contrasts with wide modern boulevards. Agen was the home of the Scaligers, eminent medieval scholars, and of Jacques Jasmin, the barber-poet. The town is an agricultural market centre, noted for fruits and vegetables. Industries include food processing, pharmaceuticals, and shoes. Pop. (1990) 30,553.