Should l come to Saint Papoul Abbey ??

The Maire says that if there is no mobile phone coverage for the village, then the tourist will stay away and then the village revenue will suffer thus causing local taxes to increase to fill the short fall in the Abbey's revenue.

If you believe that if you do not come to the abbey, you will then cause hard ship to the inhabitants then you must also consider that if you do come and want to use you mobile phone then this will mean that we will have to have a mobile phone mast, and that will cause something far worst than a little finical hardship.
It will make villagers ill and give our young children blood cancer.

Please come to the village and visit abbey, but inform the abbey that you do not want to use your mobile phone there.

Also tell the Maire no mobile phones

Have a thought for us who have to live here 52 weeks of the year

Please take your rubbish home with you:

The local pit has now been ear- marked for a waste site for the local area of Aude Please see map to see how close its is to local families

Say No To The Maire  no to waste site

Waste Site Map

What to see and do in the lovely village of Saint Papoul:

• The Village
  Set in Lauragais, Saint-Papoul lies on the first foothills of the "Black Mountain", tens minutes drive from Castelnaudary, 25 minutes drive from Carcassonne and only 1hrs drive from Toulouse. Thus making it one of the most easley visited villages in this area.
  The access to the village went though gateways . The Eastern Gate, quadrangular with loop-holes was erected by Guillaume de Cardaillac, Saint-Papoul's third bishop. It was used as a tower for the guards as wel as the bishopric's jail. On the inner side, in the semi-circular arch, one can admire a wooden virgen from the 14^th century. The heart of the village displays narrow streets with half timbered, corbelling houses.

• The Abbey
  It was founded in the 8^th century and placed under the rule of Saint Benedict. SaintPapoul a follower of Saint Saturnin the first bishop of Toulouse in the 3^rd century was martyred and had the top of his skull severed off in a place called the Hermitage. According to the legend, he bent down to pick up the top of his skull. A spring then gushed out iof the intentation left by the skull.

  Saint Berenger was a monk well-known for his ascetiscim lived there in the 11^th century. Crowds came to the abbey to worship on his grave after miracles had taken place there.

  In 1317, Pope John XXII made the village into a See. Up to the Revolution Saint-Papoul had 34 bishops. In 1361 the cathedral was plundered by the "routiers" (companies of looters) and in 1595 by the protestants.

  Important restorations took place in the abbey and the bishop's palace was rebuilt in the 17^th and the 18^th centuries. The Revolution put an end to the bishopric and the cathedral was turned into a parish church.

  Visits To The Abbey
  From Easter To All Saints' Day open every day of the week.
  Off season : by appointment only.

  A permanent exhibition takes place inside the monks' former refectory. Plaster casts from romanesque sculptures and from works of the Master of Cabestany - an itinerant artist (last part of the 12^th century) - are displayed there.

  Village Amenities

• The Local Bar
  Le Recantou owned and run by Yoland and Sylvie, a very nice and friendly bar serving hot and cold foods. They serve many fine dishes of Duck-Beef-Lamb-Chicken. Seafood dishes which include stuffed mussels in a tomato sauce, Sea snails, and many other fish style dishes depending on the season.
  It is used by many of the locals and tourists alike, it has a very friendly feel and you would always be made to feel very welcome at any time of the year
  Telephone Bookings are excepted on 04 68 94 98 50

• The Tabac (local green grocer)
  This is a general store run by a husband and wife team, selling everything from a bar of soap,  to a wide selection of very traditional cheeses and wines
• The Bakery
  Everything you would expect to see in a French bakery, (excluding any meat pies they just don't have them here)
• The Butchers
  The local butcher is very famous in this area, he has a loyal following in the village and at the local markets where he trades from a trailer van. He is probably one of the best butchers in this area and people travel a long distance to purchase his meats. ( he is a real character, very loud and jolly, he will not sell you meat that is not right for the job)
• The Garage
  Very busy and very knowledgeable, so if you have a vehicle problem or any other mechanical problem such as grass gutters, rotivators he is the man for the job
• The Woodmen of the Village
  There are two in the village  A Mr Marty and Mr????? they both specialise in different styles of carpentry, between them they can cater for every job you may need, inside and outside.
• Pharmacy (chemist)
  Everything is sold here that you would expect to see in a British chemist, The main difference with the Pharmacist's in France is they often give medical advice, thus preventing unnecessary visits to the Doctors
• Hair Dresser
  It speaks for itself, unisex
• Doctor
  Mr Francois-Xavier Severac is very cheerful gentlemen, which makes for pleasant visit
  Just on the edge of the village, a little different here, no appointments needed you just turn up and take your turn, Doctor call outs are available if needed.
• Post Office
  Much the same as in England, stamps, bank accounts etc
• Football And Tennis Courts
  Just as you come into the village there are two flood lit football pitches and two flood lit Tennis courts
• Primary School
  Catering for children from 30 months upto10/11Yrs

E&OE

Other villages in this area to visit

Villepinte
http://www.villepinte11.fr/camping.php

Alzonne
http://www.alzonne.fr/0_index.htm