Payra-sur-l'Hers

Payra -sur -l'Hers is a southern French village with 178 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) in the Aude department in the Languedoc- Roussillon region.

Location

Payra -sur -l'Hers located in the heart of Lauragais on the River Hers at an altitude of about 245 meters above sea level. inst and about 52 km ( driving distance ) west of Carcassonne and about 13 kilometers south-west of Castelnaudary. The cantonal capital of Salles- sur -l'Hers is located approximately seven miles northwest.

Demographics

In the 19th century the place had at times almost 600 inhabitants. The mechanization of agriculture and the associated loss of jobs since then led to a significant decline in population.

Economy

The surroundings of the town is still dominated by agriculture, which in the late Middle Ages and early modern times mainly on the cultivation of woad ( pastel) concentrated. The import of indigo led from the 18th century to a gradual economic decline and the farmers turned back to the 'normal' agriculture. In the late 20th century, tourism has been added in the form of apartment rentals ( gîtes ) as an economic factor.

History

In 1119 the village was first mentioned in records under the name Pairano; In 1272 it was under the administration of LAURAC, a few years later under the Mas -Saintes - Puelles from. During the Albigensian Crusade, the site apparently spared, he fell into the equally sectarian conflicts of the 16th century (Huguenot wars) between the fronts: in 1568 it was taken over by the Protestants, two years later, overrun by the soldiers of Coligny. In 1580, Catholic troops devastated the place.

Attractions

• The small Romanesque church of Payra with her later added and accompanied by side belfry tower is built entirely of stone. The most interesting part is the Archivolts portal on the south side, whose perfectly crafted arches are decorated with beads, shells etc.. The four lateral capitals show - unfortunately badly preserved - vegetable motifs. The Portal Zone closes at the top in a console Fries with animal and human-like heads that are both decorative as unheilabwehrend ( apotropaic ) can be understood. The portal has been recognized in 1932 as a monument historique; the entire church followed in 1988.
• Below the church there is a wash-house ( lavoir ) from the 19th century, which was used as a cattle trough ( abreuvoir ).