Montréal - Collégiale Saint-Vincent

Montréal was in center of the "Pays Cathare" and in 1206 the town was the site of debates between Catholics and Cathars. The debates, initiated by Dominic of Osma (future "Saint Dominic"), were part of Pope Innocent III's program to convert the Cathars (back) to Catholicism. Dominic had no sucess. In 1209, during the Albigensian Crusade, Montréal was taken and razed by Simon de Montfort´s troops.

After the crusade Montréal (and large parts of the Languedoc) became "Domaine royal", what meant these were directly possessed by the kings of France.

In 1273 the erection of the new castle started - and probably the church seen here was built in a "Tolosan-Gothic" style at the same time. It was completed in 1318. From outside it looks a bit like a tiny cousin of Sainte-Cécile in Albi.


www.collegiale-montreal-aude.fr/index.htm