Abbaye de Saint-Hilaire

Emerging blanquetières vineyards, the Benedictine abbey of Saint-Hilaire is distant about fifteen miles from Carcassonne and Limoux ten. Located in the picturesque valley of Lauquet, it was founded in the late eighth century.
Originally dedicated to St. Sernin, the first bishop of Toulouse, then it takes the name of St. Hilary, Bishop of Carcassonne in the sixth century, it holds the remains.
This is the medieval period which is particularly significant for the resort, the village is built and evolves around the Abbey and the movement of the abbots, lords of St Hilaire. Until the early thirteenth century, the abbey under the protection of the Counts of Carcassonne, but during the crusade against the Cathars, the monks accused of heresy lose their autonomy and much of their property, the monastery was even devastated by the Crusaders. In 1246, St. Louis ordered the seneschal of Carcassonne to return to the abbot of Saint-Hilaire land confiscated from supporters of Catharism.
From the fourteenth century, the abbey is in difficulties. The troubles caused by the 100 Years War, which require the abbots to maintain the village fortifications precipitate its decline.
Tradition has it that the abbey is the birthplace of the Blanquette de Limoux. In the sixteenth century, the monks were developing a sparkling wine which, without knowing it, was to experience a world-renowned.
In the eighteenth century, Saint-Hilaire is also experiencing some problems related to the revolutionary period and its financial problems lead to the sale of his possessions.