Cordes Sur Ciel (Cordes in the Sky)
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At the base of the town, you will find the newer area of Cordes. It has a
full range of amenities including a bookstore with English language books and
newspapers as well as a small grocery store, bank and ice cream/pasty shop. |
| Although Cordes-en-Albigeois was only officially renamed in 1993, its history is nearly 800
years old. This bastide was founded in 1222 by Raymond VII, Count of Toulouse
as a fortress for the protection of the Cathars and the Albigensian
movement. Though besieged by the troops of Simon de Montefort, it did not fall. Cordes was
reconciled with the Church in 1321 and ordered to build a chapel. The floor plan of the present
church, Saint -Michel, dates from 1460.
(right - market place in center of Cordes)
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After peace was restored to the region, Cordes transformed itself into a thriving commercial
center. Houses were built overhanging the ramparts and the expsansion
required new fortifications which were built in 1288, 1293, and 1351. Cordes' industry initially was based on weaving and then moved on to leather goods in the
13th and 14th century. Secure, industrious and wealthy, Cordes' middle class
merchants embellished
their houses. The houses of the Grand Faucconnier, the Grand Veneur, the Grand Ecuyer, the Maison Prunet, the Maison Fontpeyrouse and the
Maison Ladeveze
are in tact and well restored. |
| But Cordes did not adapt well from a feudal society to the needs of the industrial era and
suffered a slow decline. In 1630, Cordes suffered the worst of its six episodes of plague, decimating the population and industry of the town. By the early 1930's, Cordes was nearly deserted. But in 1942, a group
of artists
lead by Yves Brayer founded the "Academy" for painters and artists giving Cordes an artistic surge
that continues to this day. Since then, every year Cordes welcomes new pilgrims who are craftsmen, artists, poets and
tourists from every country in the World. Today, more than 30 craftsmen and artists
are year round residents of Cordes. There are also many fine cafes and restaurants including Au Grand
Écuyer, in the ancient Hunting Residence of the Counts of Toulouse.
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