Church of Notre-Dame de la Gardie, Conques-sur-Orbiel
The origin of the chapel of Our Lady of the Gardie Conques-sur-Orbiel dates back to 1253. It was destroyed several times from the thirteenth to the sixteenth century, and was sold during the Revolution before being enlarged and restored in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. There are the relics of Saint Flavie and a virgin of the fourteenth century, and the statue of N. D. de la Gardie from the sixteenth century attracts many pilgrims.
About this building
The Marian chapel of Notre Dame de la Gardie replaced the lookout post that dominated the village of Conques-sur-Orbiel. This strategic height allowed locals to monitor the paths of the Minervois and Cabardès and thus to communicate the actions at the Lastours castles to the City of Carcassonne.
The origin of the chapel dates back to 1253. The sanctuary was looted and destroyed in 1356 by the Black Prince and in 1435 by Rodrigues de Villendras. In 1540, Pierre des Saptes, owner of the factory at the mill of the Torte, began its restoration. A new chapel was built in 1633. Finally, the chapel was sold in 1790 as national property.
From 1820 to 1984, the chapel and the park were restored and enlarged: this is when the two branches of the transept and a choir with cut sides were built. With its unique 5-span nave, the church is 25 m long and 8 m wide. A steeple with an archway overcomes the entrance porch. The roofs are covered with flat tiles, and the walls are covered with rubble.
In front of the main entrance, an altar contains the holy relics of Saint Flavie. On the sides, two niches hold a carved virgin made of granite from the fourteenth century, and the venerated statue of N. D. de la Gardie, from the sixteenth.
The Marian chapel of Our Lady of the Gardie has always been, even during the Revolution, the only place of pilgrimage dedicated to Our Lady of All Cabardès. It is open during Marian holidays. Conducting the pilgrimage leads to renewed faith on the part of the pilgrims.
