Castels

CASTELS

Stretched in an area of 2000 hectares of plains and hills, the village of Castels, composed by numerous hamlets, owns:

- Two churches of the XIIth century, classed as historical monuments: Saint-Martin and Redon-Espic;
- A thermal spring: Fond Chaude or Panassou Fontain;
- A little chapel, in memory of the vision: pilgrimage every 8th of September;
- An ancient quality architectural heritage: Baran; Finsac, Colombier, Boissière, the Granges;
- A troglodytic inhabited house: Roquebeyssette;
- A network of hiking paths connecting the neighbouring villages.

REDON ESPIC (History)

A young shepherd lady, Marie-Jeanne Grave, 14 years old, born the 12th of pluviose (French Republican month) of the VIIth year (the 1st of February 1800) is told to have received twice the visit of the Blessed Virgin, while she was watching after some sheeps of a rich landowner, Chabannes, mayor of the village of Bézenac, and employer of her parents, who were farmers. Shy and ignorant, this young girl had the vision of a white dressed lady, whose language was similar to that of the Blessed Virgin.

Brightened up by her circle, the girl continue spreading the message. After having received her first and last communion, she died the 24th of November 1814, four months after the visions, while her parents were died the month before. Actually, as a divine punishment, many people died soon after, confirming the predictions of the Virgin.

This explains the presence of the black Virgin in the superior niche of the chapel, next to the fountain of Apparitions.

Actually, it is in this dale that the events occured in 1814: since then an annual pilgrimage take place every 8th of September. The chapel is visited all the year long, as the lighted candles show; notice also the presence of a stone table, used during the ceremonies.