The Languedoc : A Chronology by Christopher (Rusty) Tunnard

The Languedoc : A Chronology

This chronology outlines important events in the history of southern France. Some dates, especially those of the early invasions, are approximate. Following the chronology are essays on the Languedoc itself and on two important historical events shaped the Languedoc, the *Albigensian heresy* and the *wine wars* of the early twentieth century.
600-150 B.C.	Occupation by Iberian Celts and Greeks.
150 B.C. till 200 A.D.	Roman period. Establishment of the province of *Gallia Narbonnensis, centered in Narbonne. Important settlements in Tolosa* (Toulouse) and *Carcaso* (Carcassonne)
c.250	Conversion to Christianity started by *St. Sernin* in Toulouse.
300-750	Successive invasions by Vandals, Visigoths, and Arabs.
750-850	Unification of France by the Francs under Charlemagne.
850	Division of empire after Charlemagne's death. Founding of Raymond dynasty, of the counts of Toulouse and the rulers of the Languedoc until the thirteenth century.
1209	Start of Albigensian Crusade with the sack of Béziers.
1229	*Treaty of Meaux* officially ends the Albigensian Crusade although the Inquisition and heretic resistance continue for thirty years. Most of Languedoc annexed by the king of France, *Louis IX* (St. Louis).
1337	*Hundred Years' War* begins. Successive invasions by English until 1453.
1348	Population decimated by Black Death.
1550-1560	Beginning of wars of religion between Protestants and Catholics. Persecutions continue for two hundred years.
1659	Under the *Treaty of the Pyrénées*, the border with Spain is moved south to its present location, the natural frontier of the Pyénées Mountains.
1666-1681	Building of the *Canal Royale du Languedoc* (the Midi Canal).
1789	French Revolution begins.
1840-1860	Railroad built. Decline of commercial traffic on the Midi Canal. Inspired by the well-known writer *Prosper Mérimee, the Historic Monuments Commission begins protecting and preserving medieval architecture of southern France. Viollet-le-Duc* begins restoration of *Carcassonne*.
1860-1910	*Phylloxera parasite*, falling prices, and increasing imports start years of unrest in the agricultural community culminating in the wine riots of 1907.
1910-present	Northern France prospers from industrial growth, but the Languedoc remains for the most part agrarian and poor with big unemployment. A promising sign for the future is that high-technology research centers in Toulouse and Montpellier are attracting new companies, but, as has almost always been their lot, the people of the Languedoc must depend on decisions made in Paris to provide the trade and fiscal policies necessary to sustain further growth.

Footnote	The Languedoc is still the poorest region of France and the North/ South divide still exists, foreigners being more welcome than Parisians even though there is no really open hostility, a tension and resentment can be sensed. After the problems of Phylloxera and the vines the region enjoyed an all too brief period of wealth as it remained largely untouched, It was during this period that the fine architecture of Béziers and the surrounding towns was built. © 2012 Malcolm Beeson

From - The Canal du Midi and the Languedoc - a Sightseeing Guidemoc.lanacidim@ytsur