Enjoy a one to one-and-a-half-hour self-guided heritage tour of the major sites in Rivesaltes' hypercentre!
History of the town of Rivesaltes
It is difficult to determine the year in which Rivesaltes was founded. The name comes from the Latin Ripis Altis: high banks. There is every reason to believe that Rivesaltes existed at the time of the Saracen invasion in 729. Its name is mentioned in 923 and shows the existence of two churches, Saint-André and Sainte-Marie. These two churches were inherited by a certain Landric to the abbey of Lagrasse in the Aude department. Rivesaltes belonged to Lagrasse until the French Revolution, and had neither a lord nor a castle. The population soon enjoyed communal freedoms, electing 35 councillors and a batlle (mayor) to represent them.
In 1172, Alfonso II, King of Aragon, authorized Rivesaltes to fortify itself. Thanks to its position on the road to Perpignan, Rivesaltes was occupied by the troops of Louis XI (1463) and Louis XIII (1639). The town was sacked in 1793 by the Spanish army.
Population growth necessitated the construction of a new church, and the Romanesque edifice was replaced by the present-day church (1657-1669).
In 1863, the first cases of phylloxera broke out in the Gard department. 20 years later, the whole of southern France was contaminated. In the affected vineyards of Rivesaltes, vines were grafted one by one with American seedlings.
Today, the "Muscat de Rivesaltes" appellation has spread beyond the borders of the Roussillon region to become known worldwide. Today, we're celebrating 600 years of Muscat in Rivesaltes!
Our town has also developed economically. With its proximity to the airport, freeway and train station, it is now a magnet for start-ups, not only in the wine industry, but also in activities such as high-tech.
With its rich historical heritage, Rivesaltes is a dynamic town that has succeeded in reconciling the past and the present.
In 1860, Rivesaltes entered a modern era with the arrival of the train. It opened the door to the transport of people and goods. Up to 150 people were employed in wine transshipment and station maintenance. From here to the town center, all the winegrowing trades were established.
Historical monuments
You'll soon realize that Rivesaltes is a veritable land of history.
SAINT ANDRE'S CHURCH
Religious sites
The old church dates back to the 10th century and was rebuilt between the 17th and 18th centuries. It has a single nave and is characterized by the richness of its furnishings and...
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