Centre Travel

The Benedicitine abbey of Caunes - Minervois situated in the heart of the village of Counes, renowned for its red marble, was founded around 780, in the 11 C and 12C, the abbey experienced a period of prosperity under the protection of the Counts of Carcassone, and acquired substantial wealth during the Albigensian Crusade and the fight against the Cathar heresy in the region.  This period of growth was to last until the 14th C.  More difficult times followe uring the 15 C and 16C, after which the monastry ws reformed by the Benedictine congregation of Saint-Mour.  After the Revolution the abbey church became the parish church.   The chevet of the abbey church of Caunes- Minervois dates from the 11C. The decor of the rest of the church, with the exception of the 14 C vaults, belongs to the Romanasque period and dates from the 12 C.

This renowned abbey (a National Monument  and UNESCO World Heritage site) was, founded in 1079 by the Benedictine monk Gerard de Corbie, the future Saint Gerard, in the heart of a large forest, and became a powerful institution, controlling numerous priories in Spain and England. It developed along with the popularity of the Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage, and became a major stop-off along the route. The architecture of the 12th century abbey church was strongly influenced by the Saintonge style of Romanesque art, and the edifice is remarkable for its vast chevet.  The main apse is flanked on either side by deep chapels, with which it communicates via spacious bay. Each chapel is bordered by an absidiole opening on to the trmsept.  The Romanesque capitals in the chancel and the bay beneath the church tower are famed for their quality.  The vaulting of which only the beginnings of the cross ribbing survive  and the bell tower with its openings both date f...

Probably of Carolingian origin, the abbey of Notre-Dame d'Alet was once a Benedicitine monastery. An important pilgrimage developed here in the 11 C around a fragment of the True Cross. During this period, the Popes. After a difficult period during the 12 C and 13 C - when some of the monks were even accused of heresy-the abbey experienced a growth in status when Pope John XX11 created a new bishopric in the Upper Aude Valley and established the new cathedral at Alet.  During the 16 C, Alet was marked by the Wars of Religion:  the cathedral and the old abbey were sacked in 1573.  The abbey's beautiful ochre sandstone ruins read like an art history  book, with their attractive combination of Romasque and Gothic architectural features. The Gothic church of Saint-Martin has retained its Romanesque layout, with one nave and two side aisles. Situated near Limoux, the church of Notre-Dame de Marceille, has many of the typical features of the 14 C Languedoc Gothic sty...

The village of Lagrasse is the site of one of the largest benedicitine abbeys in the south of France, the Abbaye Sainte - Marie d' Orbieu, founded at the beginning of the Carolingian period.  The monastery experienced great prosperity and exerted considerable  intellectual influence between the 11 C and 13 C, as well as in the 17 C, with the arrival of the benedicitines of Saint- Maur.  For all these reasons, Lagrassehas a wealth of architectural features to be admired by visitors.  From the Romanaque period, the  abbey has retained the remains of a white marble doorway sculpted by the workshop  of the Master of Cabestany, as well as three apsidioles in the southern arm of the church.  The majority of the medieval buildings were commissioned by Abbot Auger de Gogenx (1279 - 1309), including the rebuilding of the church, the monk's dormitory and the Chapelle Saint- Barthelemy.  The enormous bell tower was the work of a 16 C abbot, Philippe de Le...

The Carolingian monastery of Saint-Papoul was founded in the 8C  In 1317, Pope John XX11 transformed the abbey church into a cathedral.  Thirty-seven bishops controlled this bishopric before it was supressed in 1790. Today the remains of the old monastery can be visited, including the church, with its 14 C nave and 12 C choir, recently restored Baroque decor, 14 Gothic cloister and fine chevet.  The latter is one of the masterpieces of the 12 C Southern Romanasque style and some of its storiated capitals and modillions are the work of the famous Master of Cabestany. The Bishops' Palace, a magnificent building dating from the 17C and 18C, is not open to the public. Saint-Papoul is now used to host musical and cultural events during the summer months. The Collegiate church of Castelnandary The site of two famous battles during the Albigensian Crusade, Castelnaudary has been the capital of the Lauragais since the 15C The parish  church by Pope John XX11 in 1318, h...