Ancient and Prehistoric Roots

Early Settlers:

The Orb-Jaur valley, where Olargues is situated, shows traces of human activity dating back to Neolithic times, including dolmens, menhirs, and the Peyro Escrito (a Bronze Age engraved stone).

Ligurians and Celts:

By 1000 BCE, the Ligurians inhabited the area, followed by Iberians and the Celtic Volcae Tectosages tribe.

Roman and Medieval Development

Roman Influence:

Though Olargues itself wasn’t a Roman settlement, the region fell under Roman control after the founding of Narbonne (118 BCE). Post-Roman collapse, the Visigoths ruled the area (5th–8th centuries) until Charlemagne incorporated it into the Holy Roman Empire.

Feudal Beginnings:

By the 12th century, Olargues emerged as a fortified "new town" under the Viscounts of Minerve. Its strategic hilltop location, encircled by the Jaur River, provided natural defenses and access to trade routes like the Nîmes-Toulouse highway.

Castle and Bridge:

The Château d’Olargues (12th century) and the iconic Pont du Diable (Devil’s Bridge, c. 1202) were built, the latter linked to local legends of a pact with the devil.

Cathar Legacy and Turbulence

Cathar Presence:

In the 12th–13th centuries, Olargues became a refuge for Cathars, a Christian sect persecuted during the Albigensian Crusade. The bridge’s "devil" myth may reflect anti-Cathar propaganda.

Decline and Revival:

Wars and epidemics plagued the village until the 18th century, when agricultural prosperity (chestnuts, olives, and wine) revived its economy.

The "Slowest Village in France": Olargues’ winding cobbled streets are so narrow and steep that locals claim even snails overtake tourists. The mayor once quipped, "Our speed limit is measured in wine sips per hour"

Click on any image for enlarged image and navigation views.