LE SENTIER DES FOURCHES ET DES COLLINES

Facing Montagne Noire, the ancient Saint Felix castle has dominated the edge of Lauragais plateau for more than seven centuries.Overlooking the plain, this castle has been destroyed, rebuilt, modified and enlarged over the centuries according to the wishes of its successive owners. You can enter the courtyard, terraces and ground floors of the castle. Let's see the superb mosaic room, the old kitchen in the dungeon, the guard tower, the lounges. One of them houses our Tourist Information Centre. Here, superb Louis XVI stucco adorns the panelling above the doors and the mirrors. Each salon has its own type of parquet flooring. The rooms are open to the public from April (from the Cocagne festival onwards) until the end of September. Afterwards, enjoy the panoramic view over the countryside (photos highly recommended) and stroll around the castle in the manner of the nobles. You can visit some parts of the castle during our Tourist Information Centre opening hours. Guided tours available by prior arrangement for groups.

The highlight of St-Félix-Lauragais. The Collegiate Church dates from 1317 and contains a magnificent organ from 1781, classified as a historical monument and completely restored. Built in the early 14th century, the collegiate church of Saint-Félix-Lauragais replaced the castle chapel as the parish church. Built on a rather small plot of land, it is 50m long, 26m wide and 19m high under the vault. The 42-metre-high bell tower reaches for the heavens. The architecture of the building is in the Southern Gothic style: a single nave, chapels between the buttresses, mitre arches on the levels of the bell tower, completed by decorative elements typical of Flamboyant Gothic (high-relief sculpture). The church of Saint-Félix became a collegiate church in 1317 during the pontificate of John XXII. This honorary title established a chapter of canons whose mission was to preach the Catholic faith during the Inquisition and in the aftermath of the crusade against the Albigensians/cathars. Saint-Félix had a little help from the Lord of the village, who was none other than the Pope's brother. One of the masterpieces of the Collegiate Church is without doubt the organ and its superb Louis XV case. The organ was built in the 18th century, between 1780 and 1781. It underwent an epic restoration! It was classified as a Historic Monument in 1967. The first restoration took place in 1930, so that the organ could play Romantic music! The restorers added keyboards therefore notes to the organ. So Déodat de Séverac was able to play his romantic compositions. In 1989, a restorer from the Monuments Historiques came to Saint-Félix-Lauragais and discovered this magnificent 18th-century organ, still in all its original materials. Many organs today are mechanised and modernised for greater convenience. The organ at Saint-Félix still has its large bellows made of rabbit skins, glued together with ‘fish bone’ glue. Depending on the outside temperature, the rabbit skins also had to be moistened with a cloth... The restorer was amazed, but soon realised that the organ had been modified! What an idea to add notes! So it was decided to remove them all! The organ was restored for the second time between 1990 and 1992, losing its romantic style but regaining its original appearance.

Village grocery store, showcase for local producers Catering: Dish of the day to take away, group meals, company meals. Delivery possible for professionals. Come and discover our grocery shop and treat your taste buds to our selection of local produce: meat, charcuterie, cheese, fruit, vegetables, delicatessen, cosmetics, craft beer and wine cellar. We also offer a catering service with tasty home-cooked dishes and roast free-range chickens on Saturday lunchtimes - all in a delightful atmosphere!

Panorama on Lauragais plain, Montagne Noire and the Pyrenees.Located on the belvedere, it offers a view of the imposing Mount Bugarach, the Pyrenees and the Montagne Noire. In the background are the peaks of Canigou. The colours of the panorama change with the seasons, work in the fields and light. The point of view not to be missed for any passionate photographer!

In the heart of the village, the medieval market hall shines with its beams and belfry crowned with a statue of the Virgin Mary. Don't miss the weekly Friday market.In the centre of the castelnau, the hall was built in the 13th century. In 1557, the common house was built above the hall and was accessed through the tower that contains a beautiful stone staircase. It was erected to commemorate the erection of Saint-Félix as a barony by King Henri II (the date of foundation is engraved on the frontispiece of the front door with the city's coat of arms). In 1862, the population of Saint-Félix and the surrounding area was decimated by a cholera epidemic. The town decided to offer an ex-voto to the Virgin Mary in gratitude for her protection. This 3m-high bronze statue was installed on the belfry in the heart of the village. At her feet, a plaque with a Latin inscription says ‘they established me as the guardian of your city’.