Southern France
The dove of Minerve
Languedoc – Roussillon is home to many beautiful places full of history. One of the places well worth a visit is Minerve, an extraordinary hanging village in the south of France. This natural phenomenon is to be found on a very impressive location, surrounded by gorges who carve into the landscape where two rivers meet, the Cesse and Brian. These gorges formed the natural defences of Minerve in the Middle Ages. What had to be built with human hands in Carcassonne, was offered by nature in Minerve. However, even this defence wasn’t strong enough to protect the Cathars from the crusade…
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
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Magnificent day at Gorges d’Héric
Now the busy holiday season is over, it might be an idea to take a trip to the beautiful Gorges d’Héric. You can easily spend a day at this natural site and it is enjoyable for both young and old.
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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“CIRCULADES” in Languedoc-Roussillon
A “circulade” is a medieval village whose streets are built in a (continuous) circle around a church or a Bastide. These villages date back to the Middle Ages. Another name used to be “village rond”.
Gruissan, where the roads are circeling around the Barberousse tower
© OT Gruissan
This way of building began in the year 1000 and lasted until 1130. There are 52 municipalities in Languedoc-Roussillon, who are allowed to have this label. They all have to ensure that the centers of these villages remain authentic. You can recognize the villages by this “label” at the beginning of the village:
If you would like more information about the circular villages, please take a look at the website of the “Circulade villages” by clicking here.
Below you will find the “circulades” in Languedoc-Roussillon by department:
| Hérault | Aude | Gard |
| Aigne | Alaigne | Aigremont |
| Alignan du vent | Alairac | Durfort |
| Balaruc le Vieux | Bellegarde du Razès | La Calmette |
| Castries | Bram | |
| Caux | Cailhau | |
| Fabrègues | Cailhavel | |
| Fouzilhon | Capendu | |
| Gabian | Donazac | |
| Le Pouget | Gruissan | |
| Magalas | Issel | |
| Margon | La Digne d’Aval | |
| Murviel les Béziers | La Force | |
| Nézignan l’Evêque | Lasbordes | |
| Nizas | Lasserre de Prouille, Magrie | |
| Puisserguier | Mazerolles du Razès | |
| Olonzac | Montclar | |
| Paulhan | Pouzols Minervois | |
| Poussan | Sallèles d’Aude | |
| Gigean | Villeneuve les Montreals | |
| Puissalicon | ||
| Puéchabon | ||
| Roujan | ||
| Saint Geniès de Fontedit | ||
| Saint Jean de Fos | ||
| Saint Pargoire | ||
| Saint Pons de Mauchiens |
Please do not hesitate to contact Maxéa Immobilier to see if there is a house for sale in one of these circular villages. You can reach us at +33 (0)4 67 24 82 42.
Bram, the biggest circulade of Languedoc-Roussillon
© X. Beaujard
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HOUSE FOR SALE: Spacious villa with open space, views and a large pool
On the heights of Lamalou les Bains, this spacious villa with 3 bedrooms has all you could wish for: a lovely situation with views over the forest and beautiful wooded grounds, a large pool, 3 garages and a workshop. This peaceful location is south facing, not far from the centre of this a spa town and 10 minutes from the golf course. Energy label: E.
If you would like more information about this house, you can contact us at ventes@maxea.com or call us at +33 (0)4 67 24 82 42.
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The 2012 edition of “Sud de France” magazine is available : “Languedoc-Roussillon, le vrai Sud”
You do not have to wait you can read “Sud de France” magazine directly on our Blog : “Languedoc-Roussilon – The real South”
via Sud de France en prachtig blad over de Languedoc-Roussillon “le vrai Sud”.
Link to english version here
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Maxéa will be in the French Village at A Place in the Sun Live !
Maxéa is pleased to announce that we will be in the French Village at A Place in the Sun Live exhibition! We will share our stand with Moerland Holiday Rentals.
30th March – 1st April 2012, Earls Court London
Come and see us on stand FR33 and get a chance to win free holiday accommodation in Languedoc – South of France!
More information on the French Village website:
French Village – Moerland,
French Village – Maxéa
Our website : www.maxea.fr
maxéa - moerland select 