The Benedictine abbey of Saint-Hilaire lies amidst the vineyards of the Blanque region, some 15 km from Carcassonne and 10 km from Limoux.
Located in the picturesque Lauquet valley, it was founded at the end of the 8th century.
Initially dedicated to Saint-Sernin, the first bishop of Toulouse, it later took the name of Saint-Hilaire, bishop of Carcassonne in the 6th century, whose remains it is said to hold.
It was the medieval period that proved particularly significant for the locality, as the village grew and developed around the abbey and under the influence of the abbots, lords of Saint-Hilaire.
Until the early 13th century, the abbey enjoyed the protection of the Counts of Carcassonne, but during the crusade against the Cathars, the monks, accused of heresy, lost their autonomy and much of their property; the monastery was even devastated by the crusaders.
In 1246, Saint-Louis ordered the seneschal of Carcassonne to return to the abbot of Saint-Hilaire the lands confiscated from the Cathars.
From the 14th century onwards, the abbey experienced difficulties.
The troubles caused by the 100 Years' War, which forced the abbots to maintain village fortifications, precipitated its decline.
Tradition has it that the abbey is the birthplace of Blanquette de Limoux.
In the 16th century, the monks produced a sparkling wine which, without realizing it, would become world-famous.
In the 18th century, Saint-Hilaire also experienced some troubles during the revolutionary period, and its financial problems led to the sale of its possessions.
Saint-Hilaire Abbey
11250 Saint-Hilaire
Tel/fax: 04 68 69 62 76
abbayedesthilaire@wanadoo.fr
Translated with DeepL.com
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