The commune of Aignay-le-Duc is located some 30 km south-east ofChâtillon-sur-Seine and some 30 km east ofMontbard in a direct line. Access to the commune is by Highway D901 which enters on the north-west border, continues to the village and exits the south-east border. There is also Highway D101 linking the village toÉtalante to the south-east. Highway D954 links the village through the eastern border toSaint-Broing-les-Moines. There is also Highway D112 which exits the commune in the north-east. There are extensive forests in the eastern part of the commune (Bois de Fort Fais, Bois du Bas des Soulers etc.) with about two thirds of the commune farmland. There are no villages other than Aignay-le-Duc.
TheCoquille stream flows through the town and forming the eastern border is theBrevon stream. The Coquille flows to theRevinson stream which joins theSeine river. The Brevon flows north and eventually joins the Seine nearBrémur-et-Vaurois.
Aignay-le-Duc belonged to the territory ofLingons and had a Celtic population. Its name may come from the Celtic:Ann-iacum meaning "The location of the water source"ann- is a well known root name for rivers [e.g.l'Ain,Inn (Austria),Anio (Italy)]. The village is close to the source of the Coquille.[3]
A yellow limestone used in the cemetery, dating from the late second century or early third century AD, is inscribed:Aug (ustis) sac (rum) deo Marti Cicolluis et Litavi P. Attius Paterc[l]u[s] [v(otum) s(olvit) l(ibens) m(erito)] which means:"To the august sacred deities, to the god Mars Cicolluis and Litavi, P. Attius Paterculus paid his vow willingly and deservedly".[4][5]
An inscription was found on a bronze vase near Aignay in 1896 which, according to Chassenay, said:Aug(usto) sacr(um) deo Albio et Damonae Sext(us) Mart(ius) Cociliani f(ilius) ex jussu ejus [v(otum)] s(olvit) l(ibens) m(erito) meaning "It is sacred to Augustus, to the gods Albius and Damona, Sextus Martius, son of Cocilianus, in order to fulfill his vow.[6]
During the revolutionary period of the National Convention (1792-1795), the town took the name ofAignay-Côte-d'Or abbreviated toAignay.[7]
The village was served by a line ofmetre gauge light railway by the Railways Department of Côte-d'Or which linked Dijon-Porte-Neuve-Chatillon-sur-Seine from 1891 to 1948. Here is seen the station.
TheChurch of Saint Peter and Saint Paul (1170).[41][42] The Church contains a very large number of items which are registered as historical objects.[42]