Azille

Azille is a common French, located in the department of the Aude and the area Languedoc-Roussillon. Its inhabitants is called Azillois.

Geography

Armorial bearings

Blazon nement of the commune: Of azure to the three flower of gold lily.

History

Azille conceals in many places of its territory, the vestiges of civilizations which followed one another of prehistory our days; the tombs with incineration of the iron age, of which the result of the excavations is deposited with the museum of Olonzac, the superb Roman villa of the greenhouse of Billery, whose statue of a silene of the Greek type which could be a representation of the Marcyas satyr is exposed to the archaeological museum of Narbonne, as well as the many sites indexed on its territory testify some. The recent one discovered of a necropolis wisigothic to the accesses of the village directs towards an establishment on its current site as of the first centuries.

With the the Middle Ages, Azille is one of the most important cities of the archdiocese of Narbonne. During the 14th century, it grows rich by the church Saint Julien, plain in the chapter Saint Just de Narbonne, and of two convents, Cordeliers and the Royal Abbey of Holy Claire. Exceptional fact, apart from the episcopal city, it is then the only one to have two parishes, St Julien and St Andre. St Julien was the seat of the archpriest of Minervois.

Established on a rocky outcrop, the city is surrounded by strengthened walls equipped with several doors and round and square towers. The city too with narrow in its enclosure then creates several boroughs of which that of the east beyond the door of Narbonne, oldest, which is also locked up him in a wall. In 1289, 63 years after the death of François d' Assise, Eustace de Lévis founds, or restores, the convent of the cordeliers located out the walls, in the northern suburb of the city. In 1331, his/her daughter Isabelle de Lévis, widow of Bertrand of Isle, founds in the enclosure the royal Abbey of Holy Claire. Vestiges of the walls and monuments are still visible nowadays and are the subject of guided visits suggested by the tourist office.

Administration

Demography

Places and monuments

The parish church Saint Julien and Sainte Basilisse

the church dates from the 14th century, it is classified historic building. It is a remarkable example of southernmost Gothic, with three, and vast intersecting ribs apse spans with sides, bell-tower turn of 36m. It contains several remarkable objects: a vault of the brotherhood of Saint Jacques with statues and gilded wood reliquaries. This vault was used as seat for the brotherhood of the pilgrims. Azille was a time a starting place of pilgrimage towards Compostelle. The church also contains one of the most beautiful achievements of the southernmost Gothic sculpture, a Virgin with the polychrome stone Child which appeared for this reason in two exposures to Paris, in particular with the Large palace.

The source St Andre

it spouts out in a Gothic shelter of the 14th century arched by an intersecting ribs. Its name points out the parish which existed at the 11th century and which was destroyed in 1791.

The old presbytery

beautiful room with floor carried by arcs diaphragms, visible with the tourist office.

The Royal Abbey Holy Claire

closed down and sold to private individuals under the Revolution, one can see the vestiges of them on the place of the church.

The Convent of Cordeliers

sold with the revolution, one can still see the vestiges of the church of Cordeliers at the private individuals. The arcs of the chorus of the church are visible since the alleys pol. Lapeyre

The rampart of the Middle Ages

Partially destroyed into the 18th century, it for the greatest part was integrated into houses built on its face. One can follow the line of it on the boulevards which replaced the old filled ditches. Some portions are visible in several points, in particular close to the tourist office.

Personalities related to the commune

pol. Lapeyre, young Military cadet born in Azille, died in 20 years after having fought 60 days and 60 nights to defend its station during the combat of Morocco in 1925.
Gabriel DELORT, General adviser of the Aude, 14 Pairial An VIII - 1830.

See too

Common of the Aude

External bonds

Azille, Site of the Village, with information Municipal
Azille on the site of the national geographical Institute
Azille on the site of INSEE
Azille on the site of Quid
Localization of Azille on a chart of France and communes bordering
Plane on Azille on Mapquest

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