Villages in the wine growing plain
Pouzols
A villa mentioned in 983 as a dependency of the Abbey of Aniane probably served as the focal point of a settlement that grew up around the parish of Saint-Amans, linked with the geographical distribution of the cultivation of waste land.
In the middle ages it was known as Posol, which means ‘little well’. The church of Saint-Amans, built in a Romanesque style has a single nave and a semi-circular apse and is mentioned as early as 1153 as a property of the Abbey of Aniane. It is situated in the southern part of the village and stands hard up against the village’s walls. This situation makes it possible to surmise that square-plan fortifications had been built as early as the 12th century, like those at St-Jean-de-Fos or perhaps at Vendémian.
The oldest vestiges of the surrounding walls date from the 14th century, a great time for rebuilding walls and square-plan fortifications in the plain areas. These villages have four flanking corner towers to cover the blind spots. Three of these have survived in Pouzols. Around the 17th century, certain parts of the defences were adapted to take account of firearms.
One of the most important relics is a splendid gateway situated in the market-place. It is a magnificent 14th century gate, made up of three rounded arches and built of shelly limestone, a local stone. It could drop a defensive portcullis from the back of the middle arch. Like those in the villages of Popian, Saint-Jean-de-Fos or Saint-André-de-Sangonis, it is surmounted by a clock-tower, a former belfry, fitted with a clock mechanism in the 19th century.
Its washhouse, built on the course of the stream has been restored and provides a cool and quiet place for both walkers and the local populace. Pouzols is typical of the villages of the Hérault Valley in its shape and offers further testimony to the building of fortified towns at crucial times in our history.
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In the middle ages it was known as Posol, which means ‘little well’. The church of Saint-Amans, built in a Romanesque style has a single nave and a semi-circular apse and is mentioned as early as 1153 as a property of the Abbey of Aniane. It is situated in the southern part of the village and stands hard up against the village’s walls. This situation makes it possible to surmise that square-plan fortifications had been built as early as the 12th century, like those at St-Jean-de-Fos or perhaps at Vendémian.
The oldest vestiges of the surrounding walls date from the 14th century, a great time for rebuilding walls and square-plan fortifications in the plain areas. These villages have four flanking corner towers to cover the blind spots. Three of these have survived in Pouzols. Around the 17th century, certain parts of the defences were adapted to take account of firearms.
One of the most important relics is a splendid gateway situated in the market-place. It is a magnificent 14th century gate, made up of three rounded arches and built of shelly limestone, a local stone. It could drop a defensive portcullis from the back of the middle arch. Like those in the villages of Popian, Saint-Jean-de-Fos or Saint-André-de-Sangonis, it is surmounted by a clock-tower, a former belfry, fitted with a clock mechanism in the 19th century.Its washhouse, built on the course of the stream has been restored and provides a cool and quiet place for both walkers and the local populace. Pouzols is typical of the villages of the Hérault Valley in its shape and offers further testimony to the building of fortified towns at crucial times in our history.Previous page
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