Caunes-Minervois is a medieval village in the Aude department of Languedoc-Roussillon in the south of France. It lies at the foot of the Black Mountains.
Exploring Caunes-Minervois
Caunes-Minervois is a small village in the middle of the Minervois wine growing area. The principal attraction in the village is a beautiful abbey dating back to the 8th century. As part of a paying visit you can see the 14th century nave and wooden stalls inside the church and the delightful 12th century cloister.
The oldest part of the abbey church is the 8th century crypt which can be seen in the basement. Its 11th century Romanesque apse with its round shape, conical roof and pillars with carved capitals can be best seen from outside, while the inside is beautifully decorated with red marble from the local quarry.
Caunes marble has been used in many famous monuments, including Versailles Trianon and the triomphal arc of the Louvre amongst many others. There are three different quarries with different shades of red marble quarried in each, and the Caunes-Minervois quarries are open to visitors.
Also of interest in the village is the Logis Abbatial next to the abbey on the Place du Monestier. The Logis Abbatial was built in the 12th century but what we see today was mostly rebuilt in the 1600s.
The Hotel D'Alibert is a large Renaissance house and has an Italian style and is the most impressive house in Caunes-Minervois. Another large house is the Hotel Sicard which was built in the 14th century and changed somewhat in the 15th and 16th centuries: the house has two distinct styles with both a Gothic part and, to the right of the round tower, a Renaissance part.
You can also see the remains of some of the ramparts of the village and four of the ancient gateways into Caunes-Minervois during your visit.
Attractions nearby
About 1.5 kilometres from the village is the Notre Dame du Cros chapel built at the site of a water source which is said to have cured fevers. Villagers make an annual pilgrimage to the site in September but it is a pleasant walk any time of the year and the surrounding hills are good for climbing and walking.
To the east of Caunes-Minervois, the village of Minerve is well worth a visit, and to the south a visit to the historic walled town of Carcassonne is unmissable when you are in the area.
You can find more travel ideas in the Aude guide and the Languedoc-Roussillon guide.
Photos of Caunes-Minervois
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Visit near Caunes-Minervois with France This Way reviews
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The four ruined castles in Lastours, in cathar country, were built in the 13th century
Chateaux de Lastours guide
Minerve
The ancient streets of the attractive village of Minerve are very pleasant to explore, and you also have great views across the region
Minerve guide
Carcassonne
The medieval fortress-town of Carcassonne is very extensive and very interesting. Highly recommended!
Carcassonne guide
Aigne
The fortified village centre of Aigne make it one of our favourite Minervois villages
Aigne guide
Montolieu
Built on the edge of a deep ravine, Montolieu is well known as a centre for historic books and book production
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Lagrasse
The romantic atmosphere in medieval Lagrasse have made it a popular centre for artisans and artists
Lagrasse guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Aude
Address: Caunes-Minervois, Peyriac-Minervois, Carcassonne, Languedoc-Roussillon, 11160, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 43.3275, longitude 2.5289
Plan your visit to Caunes-Minervois, Aude
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Gouffre de Cabrespine: site of natural beauty (7 km)
- Minerve: most beautiful village (18 km)
- Cité de Carcassonne: site of natural beauty (19 km)
- Carcassonne City: grand site of france (19 km)
- Carcassonne: heritage site (19 km)
- Grotte de la Devèze: site of natural beauty (22 km)
- Lagrasse: most beautiful village (27 km)
- Haut-Languedoc: regional natural parc (29 km)
- Abbaye de Fontfroide (Narbonne): religious monument (37 km)
- Forêt de Fontfroide: site of natural beauty (38 km)
- Fraisse-sur-Agout: ville fleurie 4* (38 km)
- Jardin de l'Évêché: remarkable garden (39 km)
The French version of this page is at Caunes-Minervois (Francais)