Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Minervois

La Caunette is a small village (pop. ~ 300) with this old church, erected within the 11th century on older (visigoth?) foundations. The church got modified a couple of times, the tower was added in the 14th or 15th century. All doors were locked.

I had seen these "Magnificent Men and Their Flying Machines" doing "Freestyle Motocross" on TV. A spectacular indoor sports for professional riders. I never asked myself how these young daredevils train the tricks they perform. Near to Minerve, I passed a FMX training ground and could watch them doing incredible jumps. Even more spectacular stunts were done into a landing pit, filled with foam blocks. Next to the pit stands a crane, to lift driver and motorbike out of the pit. "Beam me up, Scotty!"

I had seen these "Magnificent Men and Their Flying Machines" doing "Freestyle Motocross" on TV. A spectacular indoor sports for professional riders. I never asked myself how these young daredevils train the tricks they perform. Near to Minerve, I passed a FMX training ground and could watch them doing incredible jumps. Even more spectacular stunts were tried here. Next to the landing pit, filled with foam blocks, stands a crane, ready to lift driver and motorbike out of the pit.

I had seen these "Magnificent Men and Their Flying Machines" doing "Freestyle Motocross" on TV. A spectacular indoor sports for professional riders. I never asked myself how these young daredevils train the tricks they perform. When I left Minerve, I passed a FMX training ground and could watch them doing incredible stunts.

Not much had changed since my last visit here, only that a really large parking lot had been created. Minerve, already settled in Roman times ("Minerva"), has been the capital of the Minervois wine region. Vineyards surround the small village, that is known as one of the last strongholds of the Cathars, after the Massacre of Beziers. In 1210 the village was besieged by the troops, led by infamous Simon de Montfort. After being cut off the water supply, Guilhem of Minerve, commander of the 200-strong garrison gave in and 140 Cathars, who refused to give up their faith, were burned to death at the stake.