Le Vigan is located at the south of the Massif Central and near the Mont Aigoual, in the Arre valley.

On a river at the southern edge of the Massif Central, Le Vigan is situated on a natural boundaryline.

In 121 BCE the Romans gained control of much of southern France including the area around Le Vigan.

"Magh" signifies meadow or plain, and "vindo" is the Latin form given to the word we find in so many places to signify open country, wind-swept, surt-scorched, rambled over by sheep,... No descriptive appellation could better suit Le Vigan.The Visigoths took control of the western half of Gallia Narbonensis in 462 CE, a part known as Septimania which included Le Vigan, and they retained control despite attempts in 586 and 589 by the Frankish (Merovingian) King Guntram to conquer the area from the north.

[8]: 851  There is a spring called "la source d'Isis," which has provided water to the city since at least 1069[9] and which was named in honor of the Roman goddess.