Saint-Geniès-de-Fontedit

Saint-Geniès-de-Fontedit is a circular village whose epicentre still contains the remains of the castrum of Sancto-Genesio, mentioned in 1206 on the eve of the crusade against the Albigensians.

The village expanded considerably in the 14th century, as evidenced by the Southern Gothic church and the fountain on the ground floor of the former consular tower. The enclosure built to protect this extension is still in place, but has been buried by the houses added to it in the 19th century. The Portail du Puits is the only perfectly preserved fortified entrance from this period. Saint-Geniès is famous for its bell tower covered in green glazed tiles. Built between 1629 and 1635, its walls contain the remains of the original bell tower and a bell cast in 1401. Listed as a Historic Monument, it is one of the oldest bells in the département. Finally, Saint-Geniès boasts the remains of three distinctly-located castles: the primitive castrum (late 11th - early 12th century), a Romanesque tower and the 16th-century seigniorial castle. Set against the wall, the latter was equipped with a defensive system adapted to the age of the cannon (heeled tower, double-splayed cannonieres, escarpment and counterscarp).

Origin of the name: Saint Geniès is the famous martyr of Arles (250 AD).