These little stone treasures are to be discovered during a hike, or a rural road trip. Isolated in the middle of bucolic landscapes away from major roads and (often also) from dwellings, they seem straight out of the settings of novels. Each of them stands out for its architectural specificity characteristic of Romanesque art. However, they have a common attribute: the simplicity of their ornamentation is matched only by the elegance of their silhouette and the charm of the heritage that can be found off the beaten track.
Chapelle Saint-Martin de la Salle de Besplas in Villasavary
The chapel is located on a small, peaceful hill far from the village, in the centre of an old cemetery that seems to have been the site of burials until the 17th century. Its semi-circular apse as well as its buttresses make it a rather massive building whose history can be discovered thanks to the explanatory panels located all around along with a QR Code that allows you to visualise its interior.
It is located nearby and along hiking and mountain biking routes.
USEFUL INFORMATION
Visit :
Visit on request by calling
Tel : +33 (0)4 68 11 93 95
Adress :
Chapelle Saint-Martin
11150 Villasavary
Chapelle Notre-Dame in Cazalrenoux
This lovely Romanesque monument dates from the 11th-12th centuries. Built on a mound and redesigned over the centuries, the chapel now dominates the village. Endowed with a bell-gable, fortified and then raised during the incursions of the Black Prince and the wars of religion, it also retains an arched portal as well as sculpted decoration characteristic of the Romanesque period. It is also the starting point of a short walk decorated with historical panels that recount the past of the old ecclesial village of Cazalrenoux, but also a lovely hike in the heart of the hills of La Piège – a must for lovers of nature and history!
USEFUL INFORMATION:
Visit :
Visit on request by calling
Tel : +33 (0)4 68 60 54 90.
Adress :
La chapelle Notre-Dame
11270 Cazalrenoux
Chapelle Saint-Christol in Fonters du Razès
Tucked away a stone’s throw from the village, at the crossroads of the roads of Payra and Castelnaudary, is the ancient hamlet and ecclesial site of Saint Christol, where the small chapel of the same name was built in the 12th century. Facing East, it is adjoining a small cemetery and reveals, between pines and cypresses, a remarkable semi-circular apse adorned with Lombard bands on capitals free of all ornamentation.
It is the starting point for walking and mountain biking trails.
USEFUL INFORMATION
Visit :
Free visit from 8h00 to 20h00
Picnic area onsite
Adresse :
La chapelle saint-Christol
11400 Fonters du Razès
Chapelle Notre-Dame Cazazils in Lafage
Dating from the 11th or 12th century, this chapel also has a bell-gable with four bell arches, added in the 13th century. It is a remarkable example of defensive architecture. Located away from the village of Lafage, in the former ecclesial hamlet of Les Cazazils, there is a recently restored livestock crush nearby.
USEFUL INFORMATION
Visit :
Visit on request with the Association of Friends of the Chapel of Les Cazazils (Association des Amis de la Chapelle des Cazazils) by calling
Tel : +33 (0)4 68 23 53 27
Picnic area on site.
Adress :
La chapelle Notre-Dame des Cazazils
11420 Les Cazalis