Minerve in Languedoc-Roussillon

Perched on a limestone outcrop between two river gorges and steeped in history, Minerve has everything for a relaxed family day out

In 1210 a group of Cathars sought refuge in Minerve from catholic forces. It’s not hard to see why. Perched on a limestone outcrop between two river canyons, this small village is a natural fortress and steeped in history.


Photo: Minerve the medieval fortress

Simon de Montfort was Baron of Leicester in the English Midlands where even today statues proclaim him as a local hero. Here in southern France, he was regarded as the Catholic genocide consultant, engaged by the pope to bring the renegade Cathars to heel.

Attacking Minerve on foot was a suicide mission so Simon brought up the artillery, or rather his crusader army built it on site. These siege engines and catapults could breach the walls by hurling 100 kilogram rocks across the gorge.

More effective still were the biological weapons. It was high summer. In this porous limestone country the rivers were dry, leaving the villagers dependent on the one and only well. The crusaders loaded the catapults with dead livestock. Enough carcasses landed in the well to poison it over the next few days.

After six weeks the Cathars surrendered. Those who renounced their faith were allowed to leave. The remaining 150 or so hardliners were burnt at the stake.

Centre of the Minervois wine region, the village is today an attractive day out in itself, surrounded by dramatic limestone valleys and plateaux. There are three museums, restaurants, cafés, a bookstore and a number of artists’ studios. Not least, there are four replica siege engines, medieval weapons of mass destruction.

An easy day trip from any Pure France property starting 11, 34, or 81, Minerve is 10 km from Olonzac, 28 km from Saint-Pons-de-Thomières, 32 km from Narbonne and 46 km from Beziers.