Lafage

Lafage is a southern French village with 100 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) in the Aude department in the Languedoc- Roussillon region.

Location

Lafage located in the south of Lauragais at an altitude of about 300 meters above sea level. inst about 45 km ( driving distance ) west of Carcassonne and about 22 kilometers south-west of Castelnaudary. The cantonal capital Belpech is almost twelve kilometers to the northwest; the worth seeing place Mirepoix is a good twelve kilometers south.

Demographics

In the 19th century the place had at times almost 300 inhabitants. The phylloxera crisis and the mechanization of agriculture led to a significant decline in the 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. In the late 20th century, tourism has been added in the form of apartment rentals ( gîtes ) as an economic factor.

History

The presence of a medieval church and a ruined castle in parts is evidence of a long occupation of the site.

Attractions

• The small parish church of Lafage shows in their foundation walls in places still rubble masonry. Other parts (West façade, south side of the nave ), however, show a perfectly crafted stone processing, which is especially visible in red remote three-piece baroque bell tower. A rarity in the south of France is the presence of a south porch ( portique ).
• Of the former castle dating from the 15th or 16th century, just a round tower with adjoining masonry remains is still preserved, which is recognized as a monument historique since 1948.

South porch ( portique )

Castle tower