ot-montpellier.fr
The official website of the Montpellier Tourist Office, France
800 years of consular history with the Barons de Caravètes
Description
Theme guided tours
Discover some unwaited places which will allow you to understand the Medieval Consulate's origins, its powers and duties, its works and its places such as the Tour de la Babotte, the Notre-Dame-des-Tables crypt, the Tour des Pins, the Mikvé...
Highlights
This original guided tour will take you towards historical and traditions charged places, such as :
> The Medieval Mikvé
... an unusual and spiritual place
Who would imagine that at the 2 de la rue de la Barralerie, some heavy doors and creaking grids preserve from glances a monument charged of spirituality and single in Europe ? The Medieval Mikvé (ritual jewish bath) stays an impressive and moving remembrance of the jewish community established in Montpellier since the XII th Century.
>The Pharmacie de la Miséricorde (2 rue de la Monnaie)
... witness of the medical tradition of Montpellier
This structure was funded in 1622, under an association form, in order to answer to the catholic population's distress which suffered from the religious wars that Montpellier knew in the XVIIth Century. Some time later, the city faced the pestilence epidemic of 1629. In this association, the noblewomen and the bourgeoisie's women not only received the gifts but also distributed the bubble to the poors of Montpellier. There is an interesting parallel to the Barons de Caravètes, who, since their origin, helped the needy.
Some time later, the remedies will be prepared and directly distributed since this pharmacy. Although its existence is quite unknown from the public, this place contains a real treasure : about 300 faiences of the XVIII th, XIX th and XXth Centuries.
In the past managed by the Mercy Sisters, the Pharmacy is only closed since 1965.
The Montpellier Tourist Office and the Barons de Caravètes exceptionnaly open the doors of this building, respectfull institution which stayed in the same state as it was in the XVIII th Century and propose you to discover, along this guided tour, the Montpellierian's Pharmacy and Faience history, and underline the medical tradition of the city.
>The Tour des Pins (Bd Henri IV)
... at the city origins
The Tour des Pins is one of the last two towers of the medieval enclosure of Montpellier, called "Commune Clôture" (with the Tour de la Babote).
Montpellier became a consular city on August, 15th 1204, when the bourgeoisie and the influent people of Montpellier obtained from Pierre II of Aragon and his wife Marie de Montpellier (who brought him the city as a dowry), an agreement of customs and freedoms. Until the moment when Montpellier became a city of the French Kingdom, and some time after, its municipal life was organized in relationship with this agreement which accorded the governement of the City to twelve consuls chosen each year among the job representatives classified in scales.
These consuls must be born in Montpellier or be living in this city for 10 years. After their election, the new consuls wore their red costume and their black hat and they took an oath.
Nowadays, the Barons de Caravètes perpetuate this tradition. They will be pleased to welcome the visitors during the guided tour in order to evoke together this tradition.
Participation conditions
Our visits start from the Tourist Office, place de la Comédie (exceptions indicated).
Payment required for reservation, non-paid reservation is not guaranteed.
Tickets to withdraw at the latest 24 hours in advance.
Refund (presentation of the complete ticket) at the latest 24 hours before the departure of the visit.
The Tourist Office reserves the right to modify or cancel the visits according to the number of participants (7 people minimum).
Rates
Normal rates : 8 euros
Reduced rates : 7 euros
Practical information
Number of people : 30
Length : 2h
Montpellier Tourist Office - 30, allée Jean de Lattre de Tassigny - 34000 Montpellier - France
Tel. +33 (0)4 67 60 60 60 - Fax +33 (0)4 67 60 60 61 - contact@ot-montpellier.fr