Conques-sur-Orbiel

Conques- sur- Orbiel ( Occitan: Conca ) is a southern French village with 2384 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) in the Aude department in the Languedoc- Roussillon region.

Location

Conques- sur- Orbiel situated on the River Orbiel in the southern foothills of the Montagne Noire at an altitude of about 125 meters above sea level. inst and about ten kilometers ( driving distance ) north-east of Carcassonne.

Demographics

In the 19th century the place had always 1550-1780 inhabitants. Despite the phylloxera crisis and the mechanization of agriculture and the consequent loss of jobs, the population remained largely stable in the first half of the 20th century, 1300-1500. In recent decades, however it is significantly increased again, due primarily to the in comparison to the nearby city of Carcassonne significantly lower land prices and rents.

Economy

Despite being close to Carcassonne the surroundings of the town is still dominated by agriculture - especially from the winery, which may have been operated in Cabardès in antiquity. Conques is one of the 14 municipalities which parts of their wine under the quality label Cabardès (AOC ) may market.

History

In a rock shelter ( abri ) with name Font Juvenal prehistoric finds from the period have been made around 5000 BC. In the year 794 an abbey Saint -Laurent is first mentioned, which disappeared again later, but was identified as belonging to the village of Conques. The first mention of the name Conchas dates from the 12th century. During the Albigensian Crusades (1209-1229) it was passed in royal possession and was fixed accordingly. In the 17th and 18th centuries, several water mills and weaving cloth in place which in 1793 counted 1,537 residents already at the first census in France were.

Attractions

• The single, mostly built of rubble stone parish church of the village ( Église Sainte -Foy ) dates back to the 12th/13th. Century. Despite their massive and rustic appearance, it is an early Gothic church whose imposing zinnenbekrönter bell tower overlooks the town. The transept and three apses were added in the 14th century. The church is recognized as a monument historique since 1913.
• Located outside the town called Château des Saptes dates from the 16th century. It looks at first glance almost like a religious building; However, it was used by the builders, the brothers Saptes, as huge hall for their cloth manufactory. In the years 1683-1689 a floor was placed and the two circular stair towers added, so that the castle-like character of the structure was built. On the south side of a small chapel is grown. It is still privately owned and acts partly as Winery; it was classified as a monument historique in 1948.
• A house ( Maison Fraisse ) from the 16th/17th. Century is also recognized as a monument historique since 1948. It is privately owned.
• In the vineyards are still more than 40 round but square stone huts made of dry masonry ( capitelles ), which can be explored on four -marked circular walks. Until the early 20th century, the buildings just before and vintage as guard house to ward off uninvited evening or nocturnal visitors ( birds, wildlife and humans) were used. Their roofs are not curved, but are worn on the inside of intersecting branches. Three of these so old and primeval -looking buildings are dated: 1875, 1877 and 1880.