Alet Cathedral

The origins of the Benedictine monastery in Alet-les-Bains are not fully clear, with a founding document from 813 considered a forgery. In 970, an abbot named Benoît is documented, who also led the monastery of Saint-Hilaire. In the mid-11th century, the monastery was devastated by conflicts with the Counts of Carcassonne. Nevertheless, Alet attracted numerous pilgrims who venerated a relic of the cross located there. Following a visit by Pope Urban II in 1096, construction of the church began. Pope John XXII elevated Alet to a bishopric in 1318, possibly to counterbalance the Cathar strongholds in the region. Under Bishops Guillaume d'Alzonne de Marcillac and Arnaud de Villard, the Gothic choir was built in the 14th century. In 1531, the monastery was dissolved by Pope Clement VII, and the former abbot's building subsequently served as the bishop's residence. During the Wars of Religion, the abbey suffered severe damage in 1577, with parts of the buildings destroyed. Until 1789, the bishops used the refectory as a cathedral, dedicated to Saint Benedict. In 1792, the bishopric was dissolved, most of the remaining buildings were demolished, and the Gothic choir was sold as national property.

The Cathedral Sainte-Marie is located in Alet-les-Bains in the Aude department, in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of France. It stands at an elevation of approximately 202 meters above sea level.

The impressive church ruin can be visited today. It was already included in the list of Monuments historiques in 1862 and, with its remaining Romanesque and Gothic elements, bears witness to its former splendor.

• Château des ducs de Joyeuse (castle), approx. 5.6 km away
• Château de Coustaussa (castle), approx. 6.4 km away
• Château de Serres (castle), approx. 7.7 km away
• Château de Belcastel-et-Buc (castle), approx. 8.9 km away