St Hilaire's history, Guided tour, Short anecdotes,
Pieces of informations, How to come to St Hilaire? Contact us, Links,
Festivities, Visitors' book, Documentations, For groups only, Restaurations
Visit Saint Hilaire with a group...
You are a tour-operator, president of an over sixties club...and you are looking for new ideas of visits, discovers...: this page is for you....
Indeed, we can propose to you some organized tour with two others abbeys, restaurants and some walks...
Two others Abbeys:
Saint Hilaire's area owns three abbeys: Saint Hilaire, Saint Polycarpe and Sainte Marie de Rieunette.
The Abbey of Saint Polycarpe:
 |
 |
|
View of the fortificated church and its aqueduct.
|
Eastern view.
|
It is an old benedictine abbey dating from the 8th century. The monastery is in ruins, but one can visit the romanesque church, ornate with frescos, and its treasure (reliquary of St Benoît and St Polycarpe); one can also see the remains of an aqueduct. (More informations)
The Abbey of Rieunette:
(Village of Ladern sur Lauquet)
 |
In the woods, near a little river, this cistercian abbey was founded in the 12th century for nuns. It was under protection of the abbey of Villelongue(Aude). It knew more than two centuries of prosperity. It was deserted in the 16th century during religion wars, then ransacked and burned. During the 17th century, the abbess Cécile de Noé tried to restore the monastic life but the nunnery is again destroyed and then the nuns settle in the City of Carcassonne. Carcassonne's bishop closes the nunnery of Rieunette in 1761. |
Since 1998, the nuns of Boulaur (Gers) give life back to the abbey. Of the 1st abbey, it remains the abbey church dating from the end of the 12th century... (More infos)
Hike and Ride
|
If one wants nature, one can try one or many walks, throughout vineyards and woods: 11 laps from 4 to 22 kms. Ask for the guide Spain broom, holm oak, thyme, rosemary... a varied flora is waiting for you. The Lauquet, calm or tumultuous river, will guide your steps and refresh you. Finally, one will discover the vineyard which produces the famous Blanquette of Limoux and the wine growers will welcome you to taste it.. |
 |
Catering trade and tasting
To complete your stay, one can taste our wines and Blanquette, but also our local gastronomy.
House of wines "Anne de Joyeuse" in Saint
Hilaire: 
You must stop to taste Blanquette and wines of Saint Hilaire's area. (Free tasting and sale)
The "Auberge du Puits Fleuri" in Greffeil:
In a rustic and friendly setting, Christine and Jean-Paul Escande welcome you with a gastronomic and traditionnal meal, with local products and savoir-faire (menus since 15 €)...
Contact us to organize your tour!