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Minerve, Herault, Occitanie Minerve, in the Herault department, Occitanie is officially one of the prettiest villages in France. Karen Tait plunges into its medieval streets to get a sense of the town’s historic past and discover its charms. As you drive along the road approaching Minerve, it’s hard not to be struck dumb by the sight before you. The medieval village clings to the top of a rocky outcrop high above a spectacular gorge – the view is surely little changed since the Middle Ages. Ok, so the route is now tarmacked for cars, rather than a rough track for horses, and maybe you’ll spot signs for a café or art gallery, but fundamentally this fortified village remains much the same as when it was built in the 13th century. Its strategic importance is immediately obvious. Its inhabitants would have been able to spot anyone approaching from miles off – whether welcome or not – and the towering stone bridge across the gorge would have been easily defended. And yet, the most infamous event that took place here involved a failed siege. Minerve past One of the ‘Cathar cities’, the picturesque streets of Minerve hide a most bloody of histories. In 1210, during the Albigensian Crusade, a group of Cathars escaping the massacre of Béziers sought refuge here. The brutal Simon de Montfort, military leader of the crusade against Catharism (considered heresy by the Catholic church) followed them there, setting up four catapults and trebuchets to bombard the double ring of ramparts. At the time, Minerve was a powerful city, home to the Viscounts of Minerve, and thought to be impenetrable. However, after six weeks, Minerve’s only well, the Puits St- Rustique, was destroyed, cutting off the water supply and forcing the stronghold to surrender. When the 140 Cathars refused to give up their faith, they were burned at the stake in the village square. 30 | The Good Life France The Good Life France | 31
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