Location Villa

   
Living history

Deeply marked by its history, this Rouergue region, just like the region of Midi-Pyrénée, preserves a lot of memories. The Cathar doctrine, which opposes the Good to the Evil, has doubtlessly found in this proud and independent region a particular echo. Considered heretical by the Roman Catholic Church, the doctrine increased the rivalry between the king of France and Catholicism, on the one hand, and the Southwest and the earls of Toulouse on the other, from the 11th through to the 13th centuries. After endless battles, the cruelest having been led, in the name of the king by Simon de Monfort: the conflict came to an end through the famous funeral-pyre of Montségur. The royal and Catholic order was finally triumphant. The impressive fortified cathedral of Albi (50 km), built after the Cathars' extermination, clearly indicates on which side the force and the ruling power were to be from that moment on.


But more wars were to come to this region of the Southwest. The Hundred Years' War between the English and the French also raged here. Two kilometres from SAINTE SABINE, Roc d'Anglar (the rock of the English), overlooking Saint Antonin village, is a reminder of this war.



It was between the 11th and the 13th centuries, especially under Cluny's orders that the big Romanic abbeys, marked by an original ornamental style called the Lombard style, thrived throughout the region. Four of the pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela go through the region. We recommend a visit to the Benedictine abbey of Moissac (90 km),whose cloister has an extraordinary sequence of pillars, and the Sainte-Foy de Conques church (100 km), with its 124 characters in the tympanum of the Last Judgement. This medieval history shaped the region and marked the architectural landscape by the construction of country houses, many now restored. Fortified villages in response to the attacks, the country houses are characteristic of this region of the South Querçy: CORDES (20 km), PENNE (8 km), BRUNIQUEL (15 km), PUICELCY (30 km), CASTELNAU DE MONMIRAL (20 km), NAJAC (40 km) and of course SAINT ANTONIN (4 km). They all describe the story of their builders and squatters while showing, by the elegance of the buildings, a unique display of the most beautiful villages of France.


Furthermore, some castles, opened to the public, deserve a visit as well: Case Castle (12 km) near Saint Antonin, Génevière Castle (50 km), near Saint-Cirq Lapopie, Loc-Dieu Abbey (50 km), near Villefranche-de-Rouergue, Najac fortress ...


. Cultural activities

With such an amazing natural and historic heritage, the region plays host to many shows, exhibitions, meetings and festivals. From June to autumn, local craftsmen meet here along with artisans from throughout France and Europe. There are music festivals in Albi, Cordes, Moissac, Montauban, Sylvanès and Toulouse. There are music shows in Saint Antonin and many other villages. There are theatre performances, the burlesque festival of Vaour, and artistic exhibitions, among them the contemporary art exhibition at Beaulieu's abbey. These attractions are among the best ways to learn the history and experience the beauty of the region.