Fontcaude Abbey, in Cazedarnes, celebrates Saint-Jacques this Thursday, July 25

Depuis plus de 50 ans, Les Amis de Fontcaude œuvrent pour restaurer l’abbaye. ML

Conférence, chapitre solennel, accueil des pèlerins, cortège, concert, repas… Les festivités de la Saint-Jacques démarrent à 16 h 30. Rendez-vous à l’abbaye de Fontcaude, sur la commune de Cazedarnes.

For 38 years this year, every July 25, the Fontcaude Abbey, located in the town of Cazedarnes, 20 km north of Béziers, has celebrated Saint Jacques de Compostela, the apostle who, according to the Gospels, took his staff and traveled the roads to evangelize the West.

A junction of his path – the Way of Saint James – passes through the abbey, "a route which allowed, starting from Narbonne, to join the path from Arles to Saint-Gervais-sur-Mare", specifies Professor Jacques Michaud, president of the Friends of Fontcaude, the association organizing the traditional event this Thursday, July 25. He adds: "The route, found by the famous local archaeologist Jacques Gatorze, is now recognized and marked from Saint-Gervais to Montels, just after Capestang, but in Aude. It remains to take care of the Montels-Narbonne part of Aude. You should know that the pilgrims passed through the abbey which held a relic of the martyr Saint Laurent."

With the Jacquaire Fraternity of Septimania and the Friends of Fontcaude

Today, the brotherhood "The Jacquaire Brotherhood of Septimania" maintain this memory. It was created on March 13, 1995 and has its headquarters at Fontcaude Abbey. Its solemn chapter takes place each year on the feast of Saint-Jacques. nbsp;It rewards those who have completed the famous pilgrimage to Compostela over the past year. "This year, eight returning pilgrims will receive the bronze shell as a sign of congratulation. One of them traveled the Seville-Compostella route, explains Professor Michaud.

The Friends of Fontcaude, alongside the brotherhood, will therefore be in charge for the great Saint-Jacques celebration. The festivities begin at 4:30 p.m. with a conference given in the cloister by Charles Peytavie, historian of the Aude scientific studies society: "Heresy and pilgrimage in Occitania during the times of the Cathars and the Inquisition.

Will follow, at 5:30 p.m., the solemn chapter of the Jacquaire Fraternity of Septimania, with the welcome of pilgrims returning from Compostela who will receive the bronze shell. The procession of Saint James will set off at 6:30 p.m. to tour the Fontcaude site. The organizers will meet at 7:30 p.m. for the Gregorian chant and organ concert, Chantres Occitania sacra. with Henri Barthès on the organ, which will take place in the abbey church.

The festivities end with the traditional meal under the stars which will be held on the esplanade.

Fontcaude Abbey, a heritage to be preserved and promoted

The Abbey of Fontcaude, which takes its name from the Latin "fons calidus" which means hot fountain, was built in the 12th century.

In its basement, coins dating from the 1st century were found, a sign of a Roman presence there. Moreover, throughout the nearby environment, we find numerous remains from the same period, such as wells, ceramics and certain traces of villas.

Since 1969, the Friends of Fontcaude association has worked to restore and promote the site. His work and discoveries made it possible to save a large part of the buildings. Donations, patronage and partnerships make it possible to raise funds for the maintenance and necessary work on this most remarkable historical heritage.

Thanks to the association, the abbey still has a good part of the abbey church; the abbot’s private chapel; the site of his cloister; the chapter house; the oil mill, the west wing formerly occupied by lay people (non-priest religious subject to monastic obedience); the abbey dwelling; part of the southern aid with the refectory. In the old work room, the Friends of Fontcaude have set up a museum to exhibit their finds. 

The Saint-Jacques feast is therefore also an opportunity to discover the site. 

Reservations on the website abbaye-de-fontcaude.com or on 04 67 38 23 85. Evening rate (meals included): 30 euros, for the benefit of the restoration of the abbey.