Alet-the-baths - SpeedyLook encyclopedia

Alet-the-Baths is a common French, located in the department of the Aude and the area Languedoc-Roussillon.

Its inhabitants is called Aletois.

Geography

Alet-the-baths is a thermal city located at five kilometers in the South of Limoux and the north of Quillan in the Département of the Aude in the great south of France, in full heart of the Pays Cathare.

The village is located at one hour and three fifteen minutes of the sea and at one hour of the winter sports resorts.

It belongs to the natural area of the Razès at the edge of the river Aude.

On each side of the river and village, the mountains culminate at an altitude of 750 meters.

Armorial bearings

Blazon nement of the commune: Of azure to the lowered money flight, the small cross pattée of procession of gold to the pole stitching on the flight, accosted as a chief of two stars of same and supported of a money faith also.

Blazon nement of the commune as described in 1696 by Charles d' Hozier: Sand to a gold saltire acompagné of four money rhombuses. .

History

The origins of the abbey of Alet are unknown, but go up a priori at the 8th century. It is probably founded by Béra, Viscount of Razès. In XIIe century it is influential and attracts good number of pilgrims. In 1318, the abbey is set up in évêché, to continue the fight against the Catharisme. It remains it until the Revolution. The diocese included/understood 80 parishes and extended until Formiguères and Saint-Paul-with-Fenouillet. A strengthened enclosure, still nowadays visible, with four intended doors has to ensure the defense of the abbey is built towards the end of the 12th century.

At the 16th century century, at the time of the wars of religion, Huguenots set fire to and ruined the abbey. At the 17th century, Nicolas House bishop of Alet, disciple of saint Vincent of Paul large organizer, defender and support of the poor and, which even dared to draw up against the administration of Louis XIV, could have found the means of restoring the damaged buildings but did not judge good it to make, fault of undoubtedly appreciating the value of it and not to shock the poor of his diocese. It will make all the same build the bridge which spans the Aude in 1662, a system of Irrigation improved, as well as Séminaire and of an institution of the Ladies Regents.

The 35e and last bishop of Alet, Monseigneur Roger of Cropte de Chanterac, which opened the " Large Route" Limoux-Quillan, also made build part of évêché, attached to the oldest building which dates from XIIe century, currently preserved and arranged. By a stone staircase belonging to the old abbey, one reaches on the first floor where one can see the beautiful one and vast synodal room and the library misleads the eye of time of it. Évêché and its gardens of 3 hectares mainly occupy the site of the old abbey.

With the separation of the goods of the Church and State, the episcopal palate was the property of people who lived sale of the furniture of the bishops, which is dispersed in all the area. The buildings were used at the beginning of this century, and until the purchase by Mr Valent, by the inhabitants of the village like handing-over and hen houses, of the porchères were built in the park which was not maintained any more.

The descendants then reflect on sale the whole of this property which had fallen in disuse, the only gate giving on outside was blocked and of the avenue, it was impossible, considering the vegetation, to distinguish the least building.

Administration

Demography

Places and monuments

Alet-the-baths has a prestigious architectural and historical heritage entered and classified historic building:

abbey, cathedral of the 12th century,

chapter house of the 14th century,
episcopal palate,

strengthened medieval borough,
private mansions of XIIe and XIVe centuries with half-timberings and corbellings.
Thermal spring, discovered by the Romans since 2.000 years.
Hydropathic establishment.

Évêché, the ruins of the cathedral, the parish church and the presbytery are followed starting from the bridge crossed by the avenue Nicolas Pavillon: principal artery of the village and old trunk road.

Economy

The mineral water of Alet-the-Baths is one of oldest of France: that made soon 120 years that it is bottled. It is recovered thanks to a drilling with 300 meters of depth to a flow of 300 m ³ /s. It is one of largest the source S of France. The mineral water of Alet has physicochemical characteristics suitable for the source with an significant amount of Bicarbonate, a little Calcium and Magnésium.

The village has a casino pertaining to the Omnium group. Unfortunately, this village formerly very alive (hotel, thermal baths, multiple shops and tradesmen, permanent shuttle between his station and the heart of village….) counts today only two trade, a grocer and a bakery. A refreshment bar being used as lodging, not proposing the service restoration more, is also located in an old convent with its interior garden and its évêché. A swimming pool of summer makes it possible to appreciate the mineral water baths.

Events, animations, Festivals

Movies Without Net, the festival of the Short-measuring of Alet-the-Baths are held each year during the 2nd weekend of August. He proposes 150 court-measurings over 3 days in the park decorated with the thermal baths of Alet-the-baths. In 2007, Alet-the-Baths accommodated Toques and bell-towers, a gastronomical festival organized by the vine growers of Sieur d' Arques.

Personalities related to the commune

Nicolas House (17th century), bishop of Alet

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