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Marvejols


Marvejols is a commune in the Lozère department in southern France. Its inhabitants are known as Marvejolais.

The commune is located in the Massif central. The Colagne flows southward through the middle of the commune and crosses the town.

A medieval city exemplifying the Occitan culture, Marvejols was strengthened during the Hundred Years War against the English.

Following the St. Bartholomew's Day massacre, the town walls were reinforced to protect the Huguenot population during the French Wars of Religion, Protestant Capt. Matthieu Merle based himself at Marvejols during his conquest of the Gévaudan.

But, having sided with the then Protestant Henri of Navarre, the future King Henry IV of France, the town was besieged and burned to the ground by the vindictive Catholics. Henry had it rebuilt in 1601 in recognition of the town's support for him.

Monuments and sights include:
  • La porte du Soubeyran, a town gateway dating from the fourteenth century. Two other medieval gates survive, La Porte de Chanelles to the south and the smaller Porte du Therond, to the east. Despite some 17th-century repairs, they still keep their medieval charm.
  • Notre Dame de la Carce dating from the end of the 13th century, becoming collegiate in 1310.
  • Two large bronze sculptures by Emmanuel Auricoste can be seen at two of the entrances to Marvejols. One represents the mythical Beast of Gévaudan, the other, that of Henry IV of France, inscribed "exécuté à Marvejols en 1954" (Executed in 1954), which refers, of course, to the date of the sculpture, not the King's demise.
  • The wolf park of Gévaudan: Over 100 wolves live in a semi-natural state in an area of hills above Marvejols, once renowned for the animals.



leonedgaroldbury@yahoo.co.ukFeel free to Email me any additions or corrections


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