Photos

A view of the church and its tower through the trees; one way of managing the harsh light.

Minerve is a picturesque medieval fortified village in the région of Languedoc-Roussillon, France in the département of L'Hérault. It has a population of just over 100. Historically, the village has been the capital of the Minervois wine region

The village is situated on top of the gorge at the confluence of the River Cesse and Brian in a naturally strong defensive position. Near the village the river disappears underground in a large, naturally-carved tunnel. During the summer months the river beds are dry.

Minerve has been selected as one of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France ("The Most Beautiful Villages Of France"). This, together with its history, attracts many visitors to the village, particularly during the season; more than 300,000 per year.

In 1210 a group of Cathars regarded as heretics by the Roman Catholic church sought refuge in the village after the massacre of Béziers during the Albigensian Crusade. The village was besieged by Simon de Montfort, 5th Earl of Leicester. The attacking army besieged the village for six weeks before it capitulated. They set up four catapults around the fortification: three to attack the village, and the largest, Malevoisine, to attack the town's water supply. Eventually the commander of the 200-strong garrison, Viscount Guilhem of Minerve, gave in and negotiated a surrender which saved the villagers and himself after the destruction of the town's main well. However, some 150 Cathars refused to give up their faith and were burned to death on 22 July 1210.