Located in the east of the Lauragais region, close to Castelnaudary, the ancient fortified town of Saint-Papoul has preserved its medieval character.
Founded in the 8th century, the Benedictine abbey of Saint-Papoul is closely linked to the figure of Saint-Papoul.
This evangelizer of the Lauragais region, disciple of Saint-Sernin, the first bishop of Toulouse, was probably martyred here.
However, it was the personality of Saint-Bérenger that made him famous from the 11th century onwards.
The future Saint-Bérenger took the monastic habit at Saint-Papoul, where he led a life of asceticism until his death.
The object of particular devotion, his allegedly miraculous burial site long attracted pilgrims to the now prosperous abbey.
The abbey came under attack from various quarters, most notably from the “routiers” who plundered it in 1361, and from Protestant troops in 1595.
The bishops' attention was quickly drawn to the abbey's deteriorating condition.
Pierre Soybert, bishop from 1426, rehabilitated all the buildings.
The 17th and 18th centuries saw major consolidation work and the construction of the bishop's palace.
The cloister suffered severe damage during the French Revolution, which also marked the end of the bishopric of Saint-Papoul.
Restoration work had to wait until 1840.
In addition to its cathedral abbey, listed in 1846 and listed in 2007, the commune of Saint-Papoul includes three sites protected as historic monuments: the Palais épiscopal, listed in 1943 and then listed in 1943, the Porte de l'Est, listed in 1926, and the Château de Ferrals, listed in 1927.
Saint-Papoul Abbey
11400 Saint-Papoul
Tel/fax: 04 68 94 97 75
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