Fontjoncouse

Fontjoncouse is a municipality with 146 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) in the south of France. It is situated in the Aude department in the Languedoc- Roussillon region.

Location

Fontjoncouse lies in a valley in the eastern foothills of the highlands of the Corbières at an altitude of about 230 meters above sea level. d M. The nearest large towns are Narbonne (approx. 33 km route north-east ) and Perpignan (about 65 kilometers to the south ).

Demographics

Economy

Much of the agricultural land is used for growing grapes. The vineyards lie within the protected designations of origin Corbières, Rivesaltes, Muscat de Rivesaltes and Fitou. The winemakers of the place offer several ways to to a wine tasting ( Tasting ). Tourism also ( rental cottages ) plays a not unimportant role in the economic life of the community.

History

According to tradition, 793 Spanish settlers, and a priest named Ombolat are already here in the first - of St. Leocadia consecrated - have founded the church; for the year 795 an estate ( villa rustica ) with Fontejoncosa name is mentioned in documents. In the early 12th century by a castle or a fortified place ( castrum ) is the speech; at this time - and officially to the French Revolution - was one of the estates of the archbishops of Narbonne and of their family members. From the Albigensian Crusade (1209-1229) of the place seems to have remained undisturbed.

Attractions

• The present church is from the 12th to the 14th century. Interesting are the tympanonlose Romanesque north portal with its Archivolts arches and the massive western tower, the - was placed across the current standing bell tower - possibly in the 15th century. Since the year 1948, the church is recognized together with the scanty remains of the local attachment ( Ramparts ) as a monument historique. The single-nave interior has three late Gothic wood sculptures from the 14th century: an almost life-size crucifix, the cross seems to come from more recent times; a three-figure group with Mary, St. Leocadia and a martyr as well as a statue of the Virgin with the infant Jesus. All three figures are recognized as Monuments historiques since 1992 in a separate inventory list.
• In close proximity to the church is a spring (source aux joncs ), which owes its creation and the place its name.
• East on a barren and windswept hilltop about 5 km ( route ) is the simple and almost windowless pre-Romanesque hermitage of Saint -Victor, whose apse has a straight end. From here there is a beautiful view over the Corbières - sometimes even to the Mediterranean. The small building is recognized as a monument historique since 1930.
• The Dolmen de Pallats is about 2.5 kilometers outside the resort, however - because of the water-sensitive limestone - poorly preserved.