Minerve
The hill village where the first great Cathar pyre burned
The village sits on a rocky spur between two gorges in the Minervois. The River Cesse has carved natural bridges in the limestone below the village. The home of the Minervois wines.
The history of the Cathars
In July 1210 Minerve fell after a seven-week siege. The Malvoisine catapult had destroyed the steps down to the well. 140 Perfects who refused to renounce their faith were burned – the first great Cathar pyre. A memorial with a dove stands in the village.
43.3539° N, 2.7467° E
Nearby
Canal du Midi13 km · World Heritage from Toulouse to the Mediterranean
Châteaux de Lastours30 km · Four castles on a rocky ridge- Oppidum d'Ensérune & Malpas30 km · A Gallic town, a circular field and a canal tunnel
Carcassonne35 km · A medieval city with double ramparts – a must- Fonserannes locks, Béziers37 km · The lock staircase on the Canal du Midi
Pont-canal de l'Orb37 km · The canal that flies over the river
Béziers38 km · The cathedral city above the Orb
Villerouge-Termenès40 km · Where the last Cathar Perfect was burned in 1321