Si vous êtes un inconditionnel passionné de véhicules anciens, alors cet événement est fait pour vous !
Venez découvrir à Capestang chaque dernier dimanche de février à novembre 2016, un rassemblement de voitures et de motos anciennes.
En plus d’être un village convivial et animé, vous y trouverez des producteurs du terroir de qualité. En passant par là bas, la Collégiale St Etienne datant du XIIIe siècle vaut un petit détour.
Domaine vit
icole du XIXe siècle situé à Capestang, le Château Les Carrasses détient une architecture héraultaise emblématique. Aujourd’hui encore, le domaine perpétue dans sa tradition avec sa cuvée maison ; métier et savoir-faire transmis depuis des générations, par les meilleurs artisans. Ces terres font parties du vignoble Languedoc, mondialement réputé pour être le meilleur.
En dehors de son domaine viticole, le Château Les Carrasses propose des activités pour petits et grands tout au long de l’année. Les 27 et 28 Mars 2016, les chefs cuisiniers vont vous concocter un menu spécial de Pâques. A 14h, une chasse aux œufs est organisée au sein du château.
Principale destination pour son vignoble dans la garrigue, le domaine vous donne rendez-vous sur place pour participer à une dégustation d’exception. A partir du 17 Mars 2016, et chaque jeudi soir, les chefs de la brasserie vous proposent un menu dégustation en accord avec leurs vins inédits.
Le 17 Avril 2016, une grande foire aux vins est organisée dans l’enceinte du château où vous pourrez rencontrer les producteurs de la région, autour de dégustations et d’animations.
Le Château Les Carrasses devenu un lieu de prestige grâce à sa production et ses services de qualité, est une adresse à ne pas manquer, qui ravira les petits comme les grands.
Tomorrow Foire de Printemps in Ferrals les Montagnes, a tiny little village in the mountains. It’s a lovely drive going up there, so take your time and enjoy the scenery!
In 1209 an immense army marched along the Rhone to the south of France, to liberate Occitania, as Southern France was then called. Pope Innocentius III had declared that it was Satan himself who kept Occitania occupied. It was the Pope who called for a crusade against this Empire of Evil. In name of this crusade the Christians attacked Minerve in 1210.
The leader of the crusade, Simon de Montfort, closed Minerve from the rest of the world with a large army. From his side of the gorges, he sent a rain of stones by catapult on the small town, as there was no other possibility way to attack. Descending the gorges and then climbing up the other side simply was impossible.
Meanwhile in Minerve, house after house collapsed under the rain of rocks. However, that was not the worst enemy of the Minervois yet. The summer that year was exceptional hot and dry. The rivers in the gorges around Minerve were dried up. There still was a well at the bottom of the gorges, but those who dared to go down to get water, were immediately attacked with arrows of the besiegers. The Minervois were without water and they were therefore hopelessly lost in the heat of the summer.
There was no other option but to try to find a settlement. Guillaume de Minerve started negotiations with Simon de Montfort. It was agreed that the Minervois were allowed to leave the city, leaving behind their belongings, however only after renouncing the Cathar faith. A northern French knight was quite upset about this. He had come to kill heretics, not to conquer cities:
“This way you will give the heretics a chance to escape. Of course they will pretend to abandon their faith, to walk off freely.”
But the papal legate, Cardinal Arnaud-Amaury, who was in the company of Simon de Montfort, answered him:
“Do not worry, I do not think many will renounce their faith.”
Cardinal Arnaud-Amaury was right. The besiegers invaded Minerve while singing the Te Deum. They planted a cross in front of the small church, which still is active nowadays. Opposite the cross you can find the beautiful monument with the pigeon. The besiegers went to a house where they had gathered the parfaits. They were asked to renounce their faith. One of them replied:
“Neither living nor dying can separate us from the belief to which we are connected.”
After that they went to another house where the female parfaits were gathered. Simon de Montford tried to persuade them to convert. As he said:
“I want you all to be saved and gain knowledge of the truth.”
It did not help. Arnaud-Amaury was not mistaken. Only three women were persuaded at the last moment by the entreaties of a noble lady, Mathilde de Saint Roch, who was in company of the Crusaders.
At the bottom of one of the gorges, a big stake was built. The besiegers didn’t have to make any effort to put the Cathars on the stake, as they went there by themselves and threw themselves into the flames, one by one. They were one hundred and forty.
It was the first mass burning of Cathars after the beginning of the crusade. Soon there would be more to follow. In Cassès 60 Cathars were burned. At the stake of Lavaur as much as 400 Cathars were killed. Also in Lavaur, the 80 knights who defended the city were hung. The noble Lady Guiraude who protected the Cathars was thrown into a well which was then filled with stones. “And many pretty heretic women were thrown into the fire,” as the song of the crusade (Chanson de la Croisade) tells, referring to a perverse trait of the North French, who “experienced great joy watching this event”. Could this be a reaction to the equality of women and men with the Cathars?
These days, you will find the stone in which the profile of a dove is carved opposite the little church in the middle of the village. It has become a famous symbol of Catharism in recent years. You will find it on a postcard in almost every tourist shop, and if you know it only from these images, you will be surprised by how small the actual statue is. The dove of Minerve was created in 1962 by Jean-Luc Séverac, in order of the Municipality of Minerve. The artist himself is amazed about how famous his dove has become: “People absolutely want to believe that it is a medieval dove. Now, if that is what they like to believe, they are more than welcome to do so (Interview in the Cathar special of Pyrénées Magazine from 2000).
In Minerve you will also find a wonderful small museum, dedicated to the Cathars. It is located in the aptly named street: “Carrjera del martyrs”. The history of the Cathars is very well explained by small scenes, once set up with lots of love by a local wine grower in his spare time. Monsieur Casque is the current manager of the museum and extends a warm welcome. The museum is called “Hurepel” and an absolute must for those who want a short and clear summary of the history of the Cathars.
Written by Bram Moerland
The Héric river over 1000 meters altitude in the Espinousse in le Massif du Caroux and plunges at 8 kilometres for 800 meters down into the Orb river. It is an impressive gorge where you can make beautiful walks. For climbing enthusiasts: there are about 200 climbing routes. You can also swim in the naturally formed rock pools, so bring your bathing suit! In the summer it is a popular place, even for the locals, so best is to come early to get your perfect spot. Besides July and August it is less crowded and still great for walking or swimming. The last only if you’re brave enough, because the water is very cold! Picnicking makes the trip complete, there are plenty wonderful places to spread your picnic blanket.
If you would like to go to this magical place, you just have to follow the signs to Olargues. As soon as you see the Mons la Trivalle sign, together with the Gorges d’Héric, follow this direction. You can park for 3 € in the high season. Here you will also find a bar where you can drink or eat an ice cream. The bar closes in low season, please keep this in mind as there is nothing much to get after the parking.
One of the great walks you can do is walk to Héric. There is a perfect track which will lead you all the way up, very accessible for buggy’s and kids. It will take about one and a half hour to get to the top, where you can have a refreshing drink in the café. Downwards will go twice as quickly.
For your information: Maxéa also offers houses for sale in this beautiful area. Please contact us for more inquiries at +33 (0)4 67 24 82 42 or ventes@maxea.fr.
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