The first views of Minerve give the impression of a village nestling in the foothills of the Black Mountains, in fact protected as it is by the surrounding hills Minerve is built high on a rocky promontory at the confluence of the rivers " Cesse " & " Brian ". In the foreground can be seen vinyards of the Minervois region which takes its name, as does the village of Minerve, from the Roman Godess of Wisdom, " Minerva ".
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 Minerve was once a stronghold of the mediaeval Manichaen sect, the Cathar religion, it was here in 1210 that 180 " Parfaits ", as the followers were called, were burned to death. The only remaining part of the ancient Cathar castle which once stood here is the monolithic tower (top left). (Bottom left) The monument alongside the plaque (above) with a Dove, symbol of " peace " carved in it.  Notice how the roads around Minerve follow the ridges between the deeply carved river canyons! |
The river "Cesse" (So called because during much of the year it ceases!) passes beneath this road, the river has scoured a huge cavern large enough to house concerts during the summer, and the exit on the village side (below) would allow a bus to pass with ease!
