Église abbatiale, Romanesque abbey in Saint-Hilaire, France
The abbey church is a Romanesque structure in Saint-Hilaire with a semicircular apse containing three windows filled with 19th-century stained glass. These windows come from Louis-Victor Gesta's workshop and display intricate patterns that fill the interior with colored light.
The first written record of this abbey dates to 825, when it was originally dedicated to Saint Saturnin before receiving Saint Hilaire's relics in 970. This transfer of holy remains marked a major shift in the site's importance and reputation.
The abbey houses a marble sarcophagus of Saint Sernin carved from a single block of Pyrenean stone with detailed 12th-century carvings. This sacred reliquary represents the most important religious artwork inside the building and draws visitors interested in medieval craftsmanship.
The abbey welcomes visitors through a tourist information facility established in 2001, receiving thousands of people each year. Plan your visit with enough time to explore the architecture and artworks inside.
In 1531, monks at this abbey created the precursor to modern sparkling wine, which later became known as Blanquette de Limoux. This discovery made the region the birthplace of one of Europe's oldest sparkling wine traditions.
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