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SAINT-LIZIER

Saint-Lizier, listed on the world heritage register on the road to Santiago de Compostela.

This little village in the Ariège, 45 Km west of Foix, Saint-Lizier is almost entirely listed on the UNESCO world heritage register, is one of the rare villages to possess two cathedrals and is listed as one of the most beautiful villages of France.

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SAINT LIZIER - Ariège (09)

At the foot of the Couserans mountains, in the Ariège Pyrenees, St-Lizier overlooks the Salat River, giving it spectacular views. Lying on the Piémont Way (GR78), one of the roads to Santiago de Compostela, Saint-Lizier is an essential stage for walkers and pilgrims.

The fact that it is a major milestone on the road to Compostela, together with exceptional historical accounts, made UNESCO list on its world heritage register the Saint-Lizier cathedral and its cloister, the second cathedral (Notre-Dame de la Sède), the Bishop's palace and the Roman ramparts of which quite a lot remains.Topped by an octagonal bell-tower in the Toulouse Gothic style, the Saint-Lizier cathedral (10th-15th centuries) is famous for its superb frescoes from the 11th century reminiscent of Byzantine paintings. Its cloister has typically Romanesque arches.

Adjoining the cathedral, the Hôtel-Dieu reveals an 18th century pharmacy, miraculously preserved, where the visitor can obtain, for example, the «elixir of long life». The Bishops' palace is also worth a visit. It houses the Ariège Departmental Museum (everything you need to know about the legendary valley of Bethmale). Built in the 17th century, this bishop's palace dominates the town where timbered houses contribute to maintaining the «timeless» air of Saint-Lizier.

Note also that Saint-Lizier is particularly well known for its classical music festival (August), the oldest festival in the Midi-Pyrénées.

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