During the Hundred Years War, was the scene of the Battle of Brignais in April 1362 between the royal army of John II and an amalgamation of mercenary companies Tard-Venus (the late comers). These mercenaries had been made unemployed after the Treaty of Brétigny in 1360 and subsequent period of peace between England and France spanning 1360-1369. They had formed a Free company, one of many that plundered much of central and southern France. The battle lasting two days, led to a devastating defeat of the royal army with the death and capture of many of the senior commanders. The site of the battle is still called the Chemin des Tard-Venus.