Nestled amongst the vineyards of the Minervois, Azille is perfectly placed between mountains and sea in historic Cathar Country.
It's a pleasure to wander through the charming old lanes and tiny squares of the village and to follow the route of the old town wall. Just a minute or two's walk from La Maison Lautrec will bring you to the leafy Promenade. Here you will find the tourist office, the épicerie (which also serves coffee), a bar and more besides. The weekly market is found here on Friday mornings and occasional night markets are held in the summer months. During the week, different vans call on different days - bringing freshly cooked pizza, rotisserie chicken and more.
Also in the centre of the village, you will discover wine gallery and tapas bar Inspiré (exhibitions and the excellent wine list both change frequently); Tastes du Monde private dining and cookery classes; and Curry & Cie café and takeaway. Just a short distance from the village La Ferme d'Andre serves rustic regional dishes in a farmhouse atmosphere.
There are also several caves in and around the village, where you can taste and buy the wines produced in our own local - and renowned - La Livinière-Minervois appellation.
Azille has all the key services - tourist office, post office, doctor's surgery, pharmacy and hairdressers - as well as a tennis court, a boulodrome and a lovely playground ideal for younger children.
Azille through the ages
The earliest-known inhabitants settled here in the Iron Age. In the 11th century Azille prospered and grew; it became the third-largest town in the region, after Narbonne and Beziers, and was an important religious centre. Many pilgrims came here to join the route de Santiago de Compostela. In the 13th century the Cathar Parfaits housed in the village were driven away by the Albigensian crusades.
The building of the Canal du Midi in the 16th century brought trade and Azille continued to prosper, renowned for the quality of the local wheat; olive oil production and winemaking thrived.
The arrival of the railway in the 19th century brought further wealth. Adèle-Zoe de Toulouse-Lautrec (mother of the great post-impressionist artist) inherited property here, including La Maison Lautrec, which now carries her name.
Stroll through the village
Take a little time to meander through the peaceful streets of Azille, drinking in its history and character; follow the route of the old town wall, discover tiny hidden-away squares and quirky details on centuries-old buildings. Pick up a map of a short walking tour from the tourist office.
St Julien et St Basilisse
The lovely 14th-century Church of Saint-Julien and Saint-Basilisse is open to visitors; its Virgin and Child is considered to be one of the finest examples of southern gothic sculpture to be found anywhere in France. An unusually grand church for a village of this size, it harks back to the days when Azille was an important place and a stopping point on the way to Santiago de Compostela.
The tower
Book at the tourist office to climb to the top of the church tower. You’ll see the church bells in close up and have superb views over the village and the surrounding countryside from the top.
Azille’s caves
Azille lies within the superb AOC Minervois-La Livinière
There are a number of caves in the village. Chateau Guery
The village wine co-operative, La Sirène, is the place to go for the most affordable wines – all made and bottled in Azille from grapes grown in the surrounding vineyards, and all very palatable.
St Julien et St Basilisse
The lovely 14th-century Church of Saint-Julien and Saint-Basilisse is open to visitors; its Virgin and Child is considered to be one of the finest examples of southern gothic sculpture to be found anywhere in France. An unusually grand church for a village of this size, it harks back to the days when Azille was an important place and a stopping point on the way to Santiago de Compostela.
The tower
Book at the tourist office to climb to the top of the church tower. You’ll see the church bells in close up and have superb views over the village and the surrounding countryside from the top.