La Case de Montserrat

This house is one of the oldest in Cazères. It was built in 1547 “outside the Porte du Mont in the Faubourg de Villeneuve” for Jehan de SAINT JEHAN “Doctor in the art of medicine”. At the beginning of the 17th century, it became the property of the famous Catalan abbey of Montserrat (the pilgrimage site of Santa Maria de Montserrat in Catalonia). Until 1792, it was the residence of the Procurators General of Montserrat for the Kingdom of France, responsible for promoting the cult of the Black Madonna (la Moreneta) and organising collections in aid of the abbey and pilgrims (the sums collected were partly intended to cover the cost of accommodation for pilgrims for 3 days). The passageway leads to the oratory of Our Lady of Montserrat.

The Black Madonna of Montserrat, patron saint of Catalonia, has been venerated for a thousand years by the Catalans, who have spread her cult throughout the Christian world.

During the Revolution, the Case was confiscated by the Republic and then sold at auction to private individuals. Little by little, the building fell into disrepair. The local council finally bought it back and began restoring it in 1988. In 1992, the oratory of Notre Dame, dedicated to the Black Madonna of Montserrat, was also restored. Here you can see a copy of the Virgin (donated by the Catalan Benedictines).