Montazels

Montazels is a southern French village with 553 inhabitants (as of 1 January 2011 ) in the Aude department in the Languedoc- Roussillon region.

Location

Montazels lies at an altitude of about 265 meters above sea level. inst west of the river Aude about 43 km ( driving distance ) south of Carcassonne and about 18 kilometers south of Limoux. Couiza, the capital of Canton, located about a mile east; the village of Rennes- le -Château is another five miles away.

Demographics

Since the beginning of the 19th century, the population of about 200 steadily increased slightly; the phylloxera crisis and the mechanization of agriculture have left no traces in the population statistics.

Economy

The surroundings of the town is still dominated by agriculture and forestry, with the livestock (cattle and sheep ) and the growing of fruit ( peaches, apricots, figs, cherries, apples, pears and pomegranates ) accounts for the majority of agricultural production. Also wine production: Montazels has a share in Languedoc area, and is one of about 40 communities, which may market their white sparkling wines under the appellation Crémant de Limoux, Blanquette de Limoux AOC Blanquette méthode ancestral or AOC. In the town itself outweigh retail as well as smaller craft and service companies.

History

Finds from prehistoric times were not made in the municipality so far, but the presence of people in the area occupied diverse. From Gallo-Roman ruins of an estate (villa rustica) originate. The existence of a church is documented evidence in 1004. Since the Carolingian period existed here Razès the county, which was in 1226 placed under the French crown during the Albigensian Crusades ( 1209-1229 ) and transferred to the resident in Carcassonne Seneschal. In a document of the year 1319 from a fortification castrum the speech.

Attractions

• That the place belonged to Château de Cazemajou dates from the 17th century; it was built entirely of rubble and therefore plastered. Still in the first half of the 20th century, the building was occupied, but there is however now in a pitiful state. The only decorative elements are the portal and the stairways or the garden terrace with its balustrades.
• Even the largely unadorned present parish church dates from the 17th century. It was built with the exception of the rose window and a few cornerstones entirely of rubble and therefore is plastered on the inside.
• The birth house of the priest of Rennes- le -Château is at the small village square near the church. The circular fountain basin ( Griffoul ) dates from the mid 18th century and was powered by a three-kilometer long water line; the well is recognized as a monument historique since 1951.

Personalities

• Bérenger Saunière (1852-1917) was from 1885 until his death priest at Rennes- le -Château.