2016 South of France—Search for the Holy Grail

TheSearchfortheHolyGrail
Dante Gabriel Rossetti “The Damsel of the Holy Grail” (1874)
RobertPowell&EstelleIsaacson
A6-dayworkshopintheSouthofFrance
Sunday11thtoSaturday17thSeptember2016
intheChapelSaint-Laurent,2ruefontduportal,
34150Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert,north-westofMontpellier,France
Following on from the 2015 South of France workshop exploring the world mission of Mary Magdalene, this 2016
workshop, one year later, focuses upon the Mystery of the Holy Grail. As we shall discover in this workshop, there
is an inner connection between Mary Magdalene and the Grail bearer Repanse de Schoye, as indicated in volume 3
of a trilogy written by American author Estelle Isaacson. Since her remarkable trilogy Through the Eyes of Mary
Magdalene was published, she is respected as an authority on the life and mission of Mary Magdalene. She has
also received many visions relating to the Grail Mystery. English author Robert Powell is known for his books
Cultivating Inner Radiance and the Body of Immortality and The Sophia Teachings, as well as many other works.
He will present the findings of his research into the “destiny mystery” of the Grail knight Kyot, who was the source
of Wolfram von Eschenbach’s epic work Parzival. As Robert will show, there is a deep connection between Kyot
and the location Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, which is why the workshop is taking place in this small town that is
referred to as a “jewel of France.” Robert will also teach Choreocosmos, with sacred movements and gestures for
“putting on the resurrection body” (see Cultivating Inner Radiance)—the meaning of which will be explored in
relation to the Grail bearer Repanse de Schoye, whose eternal mission is to proclaim Christ’s glorious resurrection
from age to age: resurrection being the ultimate goal of the human being’s spiritual evolution.
Daily Program:
FromSunday11thtoSaturday17thSeptember
2016.Theprogramwillstartwithdinneron
Sundayat7pmandendonFridayevening——
departureafterbreakfastonSaturday.
9.30-10.45amChoreocosmos
11.15-12.30pmStudy/Conversation
2.30-3.45pmStudy/Conversation
4.15-5.30pmChoreocosmos
Therewillbeaprogram(SophiaGrailCircle)on
TuesdayandThursdayevenings,7.30—9.30pm
Workshop Details:
Note:Pleasebringsuitable,light,soft-soledshoes,or
Eurythmyshoesifyoualreadyhavethem,ifyouare
participatingintheChoreocosmos/Eurythmy.
AccommodationinSaint-Guilhem-le-Désert(see
pricesbelow)includesbreakfast,lunch,anddinner
(fullpension).Spaceislimited.Earlyregistrationis
advisable.Aplacewillbereserveduponreceiptof
theregistrationform,whichshouldbesentto
LaurencePenetrat(addressbelow).
Information:http://www.languedocfrance.info/030604_guilhem.htm—alsoseeattachment
Registration—please send form
Choreocosmos–fromtheGreekmeaningcosmic
dance:
• Comprisesdancingthepatternsofthestarry
heavensandalsomovementtosacredtexts——
prayersandmeditation.
• Derivesfromthecosmicaspectsofeurythmy,
anartformintroducedtotheworldbyRudolf
Steinerduringthefirstquarterofthe
twentiethcentury,bringingtoexpression——
throughmovementandgesture——theinvisible
lifeforcesofthecosmosandnature
• Awakenshealingrhythmsandharmoniesthrough
thegesturesandformsofeurythmy
• Attunesparticipantstothecosmicdimension
ofDivineLoveandDivineWisdom,offeringa
pathtowardspiritualawakeningand
cultivatinganawarenessoftheweaving
togetherofLoveandthedivineessenceof
Wisdomfoundationaltoallcreation
“Ineurythmywearerenewingtheprimevaltemple
danceoftheMysteries,mirroringthedanceofthe
stars...ofthatwhichwasspoken...fromheavendown
tohumanbeings.Onemustonceagaindiscoverthe
potentialofreallyseekingtheinnermeaninginthe
correspondinggesturesoutoftheessenceof
spiritualknowledge.~RudolfSteiner
SacredDance: prayerandmeditationinmovement,
withwisdomfilledeurythmygesturesexpressingthe
innercontextofthesacredaspectsoftheprayers
andmeditations.
DivineLoveisthesourceofallexistenceandit
isthegoalofChoreocosmostounitewiththeDivine
toLovethatpervadesallexistence.
Laurence Penetrat (address below)
Name:_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Address:___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Telephone: _____________________________________Email: ____________________________________________________________
Choice of room—single / double—at Accueil Saint-Elie—Carmel Saint Joseph’ ____________________________or if staying
elsewhere in a gîte, hotel, or guest house, please indicate where (if known) and whether you wish to eat with the group
at ‘Accueil Saint-Elie’____________________________________________________________________________________
The course fee without meals and accommodation is 450 EUR + price (6 days) of accommodation and all meals at
‘Accueil Saint-Elie—Carmel Saint-Joseph’, 16 rue du Bout du Monde, 34150 Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, France:
340 EUR full pension in one of 10 double rooms, each with a wash basin in the room and shower and toilet outside the room.
Because Saint-Guilhem is a small town there is not much accommodation available, so participants might need to be prepared to
share a room with another person. When registering, Laurence can indicate what the possibilities are for accommodation in Saint
-Guilhem. Some gîtes might be available; gîtes—vacation rentals—are usually fully furnished and equipped for self-catering.
There is also the option of staying at a hotel or guest house—
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g946457-Saint_Guilhem_le_Desert_Herault_Languedoc_Roussillon-Hotels.html
—or in a vacation rental (gîte): https://www.airbnb.com/s/Saint~Guilhem~le~D%C3%A9sert--France?s_tag=don8CU41
Ask Laurence Penetrat for a list of the pricing of various options. For those staying or eating at ‘Accueil Saint-Elie’ the meals are
vegetarian—organic vegetables, etc.—no meat or fish; please inform Laurence of any special dietary requirements.
LAURENCE PENETRAT, 17 RUE DE LA MAIRIE, 11260 ROUVENAC, FRANCE.
TEL: +33-468-741-479 ; EMAIL: [email protected]
HOLY GRAIL SEMINAR IN THE SOUTH OF FRANCE
Robert Powell & Estelle Isaacson
Sunday the 11th to Saturday the 17th September 2016
in the Chapel Saint-Laurent, 2 rue font du portal,
34150 Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, north-west of Montpellier, France
Accommodation at “Accueil Saint-Elie—Carmel Saint-Joseph”
or at a hotel, guest house, or vacation rental (gîte) of your choice,
whereby it would be possible to choose to eat lunch and dinner—
organic vegetarian meals without meat or fish—with the group
staying at “Accueil Saint-Elie—Carmel Saint-Joseph”
16 rue du Bout du Monde in Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert
Information concerning the two excursions that will be made during the week of the
seminar: Two half-days (afternoons)—on Wednesday and on one other afternoon (weather
permitting)—are envisaged for visits to sites: on Wednesday afternoon immediately after lunch
we shall travel to the nearby world-famous Grotte de Clamouse—
http://www.clamouse.com/en/. See next page of this document for the schedule of the week,
including these excursions. A bus will be reserved to simplify traveling the short distance from
Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert to the Grotte de Clamouse. Participants are requested to respect the
hours indicated on the schedule for the seminar activities and the meals, also the excursions, and
after visiting the Grotte de Clamouse to return to the bus in a timely fashion.
Description of the two excursions planned for the week:
[1] The caves and underground area known as the Grotte de Clamouse, near Saint-Guilhem-leDésert, north-west of Montpellier, is a vast grotto of spectacular beauty. It is one of the world’s
most famous grottos, which we are planning to visit on the afternoon of Wednesday the 14th of
September. After a short drive in our bus to this vast underground series of caves, we shall
descend into the bowels of the earth to behold the majestic vistas offered by the Earth Mother.
See: http://www.destination-languedoc.co.uk/articles/the-grotte-de-clamouse-582-2.html
For a short 1-minute video, watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0c1PgttAm4
After our visit to the Grotte de Clamouse, on the way back to Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert we shall
stop to visit the Pont du Diable (“Devil’s Bridge”), one of the oldest medieval bridges in France.
See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pont_du_Diable,_H%C3%A9rault
[2] The focus of our time in Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert will be on the Grail Mystery, one aspect of
which is the identity of the Grail knight Kyot, who was the uncle of the later Grail king Parzival.
In a wonderful book by Werner Greub, How the Grail Sites Were Found—
http://www.boekenroute.nl/gasten/gtn1Boek.aspx?BoekID=34757
—it is revealed that the ruins of Kyot’s “hunting lodge,” now called “The Castle of Verdus” (see
plate 19 on page 101 of Werner Greub’s book), still exist on the summit of a hilltop just outside
of—and visible from—the little town of Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert. We shall take the short walk
up to the ruins of Kyot’s “hunting lodge” on one afternoon (not Wednesday afternoon) when the
weather is good. There is an extraordinarily powerful atmosphere, still to the present-day, that
can be experienced at these ruins—something of the atmosphere of the Grail Mystery lives on
here.
Schedule of the week—11-17 September 2016—including two excursions—[1] and [2]:
[1] is on Wednesday afternoon ;
[2] will be on another afternoon—yet to be determined—when the weather is good, whereby
excursion [2] will replace the afternoon program for that day.
Note that Choreocosmos and all seminar activities will take place in the Chapel of Saint-Laurent:
Sunday, 11th—For those who make their own accommodation arrangements in SaintGuilhem-le-Désert, arrive and check in. After dinner, seminar introduction at 8:30pm at
Chapel Saint-Laurent, 2 rue font du portal—indicated by “5” on the attached map—allow
time to reach this location.
For everyone else, arrive at “Accueil Saint-Elie—Carmel Saint-Joseph” in time for dinner at
7pm. The address of “Accueil Saint-Elie” is 16 rue du Bout du Monde. As can be seen from the
map, this road— rue du Bout du Monde—leads up from the central plaza, Place de la Liberté—
indicated by “7” on the map. After dinner, introduction at 8:30pm at the Chapel Saint-Laurent,
2 rue font du portal—indicated by “5” on the attached map—allow time to reach this location.
Monday, 12th—breakfast at 8am—Choreocosmos from 9:30 to 10:45am—Study/Conversation
from 11:15am to 12:30pm—lunch from 12:30 to 2:00pm—Study/Conversation from 2:30 to
3:45pm —Choreocosmos from 4:15 to 5:30pm—dinner at 7:00pm—free evening
Tuesday, 13th—breakfast at 8am—Choreocosmos from 9:30 to 10:45am—Study/Conversation
from 11:15am to 12:30pm—lunch from 12:30 to 2:00pm—Study/Conversation from 2:30 to
3:45pm —Choreocosmos from 4:15 to 5:30pm—dinner at 7:00pm—Celebration at 8:30pm
Wednesday, 14th—breakfast at 8am—Choreocosmos from 9:30 to 10:45am—
Study/Conversation from 11:15am to 12:30pm—lunch from 12:30 to 2:00pm—Excursion [1] to
Grotte de Clamouse from 2.30pm to 6:00pm —dinner at 7:00pm—free evening
Thursday, 15th—breakfast at 8am—Choreocosmos from 9:30 to 10:45am—Study/Conversation
from 11:15am to 12:30pm—lunch from 12:30 to 2:00pm—Study/Conversation from 2:30 to
3:45pm —Choreocosmos from 4:15 to 5:30pm—dinner at 7:00pm—Celebration at 8:30pm
Friday, 16th—breakfast at 8am—Choreocosmos from 9:30 to 10:45am—Study/Conversation
from 11:15am to 12:30pm—lunch from 12:30 to 2:00pm—Study/Conversation from 2:30 to
3:45pm—Choreocosmos from 4:15 to 5:30pm—dinner at 7:00pm—Closing gathering at 8:30pm
Saturday, 17th—breakfast at 8am—depart from Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert after breakfast
Continued on next page—
Additional practical information concerning the week of the seminar—
Your arrival—please reply to Laurence Penetrat (contact information below):
TRAVEL: On Sundays there are no buses to Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert. If you are
not coming by car, please let me know the time of your arrival by train or plane.
For those coming by plane, I will try to organize a local taxi (6 seats, i.e. for a
maximum of 6 people) to make a few trips from the airport in Montpellier to SaintGuilhem-le-Désert. In some cases it might be necessary to wait a while at the
airport for the taxi to arrive. As Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert is somewhat remote, and
as our arrival day falls on a Sunday, this necessitates organizing transportation by
taxi from the airport. Cost of the taxi to Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert—a drive of about
one hour—is 150 euros, which can be divided between those sharing the taxi.
The same applies for those arriving at Montpellier by train. The main train station
is called Gare de Montpellier-Saint-Roch. The cost of the taxi from the train station
to Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert is 125 euros, which can be divided between those
sharing the taxi—again, a maximum of six people can travel with the taxi.
It would be good if you could let me know your arrival and departure information:
by plane, arriving/departing from Montpellier airport: arrival time on the 11th
and departure time on the 17th
by train, arriving/departing from Gare de Montpellier-Saint-Roch: arrival
time on the 11th and departure time on the 17th
by car, your approximate time of arrival at Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert on the
11th—also it would be helpful to know who will be traveling with you.
Practical information concerning accommodation and meals:
For those making their own accommodation arrangements, let me know where you
will stay and if you wish to have lunch and/or dinner at “Accueil Saint-Elie”.
For everyone else, “Accueil Saint-Elie—Carmel Saint-Joseph” is reserved for us
during the period from Sunday evening, 11th to Saturday morning, 17th September.
Prior to our week, there may be others staying there, and also following our
departure. Therefore at the present time we do not know if there will be free rooms
available prior to the 11th September or from 17th September onward. If you wish
to arrive early at “Accueil Saint-Elie” or stay on there after the seminar, please let
me know. Also, see: http://csj.stguilhem.free.fr/vivre.htm And please let me
know—with details—if you have special dietary requirements.
Thanking you in advance for responding to me regarding these practical details.
And I look forward to meeting you in September,
Laurence Penetrat
Contact information:
LAURENCE PENETRAT, 17 RUE DE LA MAIRIE, 11260 ROUVENAC, FRANCE
TEL: +33-468-741-479 / EMAIL: [email protected]
SAINT-GUILHEM-LE-DÉSERT
V isite z S t- G u ilhem - le - D é sert
au cœur du Grand Site de France
N
3 km
➊Randonnées pédestres et balades familiales :
Randofiches et randoland en vente à l’Office de Tourisme.
Rambles and family strolls.
➋Château du Géant
(accès interdit). Légende au dos.
Giants castle (access forbidden). Details overleaf.
➌La maison Lorimy
NAVETTES
GRATUITES
FREE SHUTTLES
D4
S t- G u i lhem - le - D é sert, in the heart of the « Grand Site de France »
GROTTE
DE CLAMOUSE
Développé sur la rive gauche du ruisseau Verdus, le village médiéval s’étire
dans le val de Gellone. Il est le point de départ de nombreuses randonnées.
Il compte à ce jour 270 habitants. Construit autour de l’abbaye de Gellone,
il constitue un site remarquable en Languedoc.
500 m
PONT
DU DIABLE
The medieval village of Saint-Guilhem-le-Desert is in a green setting along the meandering
Verdus stream and counts 270 inhabitants. It’s a starting point for many rambles and walks.
Built around the Abbey of Gellone, it constitutes a rare, harmonious site in Languedoc.
MAISON
DU GRAND SITE
DE FRANCE
ARGILEUM
D4
D27
🏦
HIKER
n
açade romane remarquable avec des baies géminées restaurées
F
(maison privée). Frise de dents d’engrenage, identiques à celles
ornant le chevet de l’abbaye.
Lorimy’s house: remarkable Romanesque frontage with geminated windows
restored (private house). Gear teeth frieze, identical to that adorning
the bedside of the Abbey.
HIKER
➍Tour des prisons (XIIème siècle)
Le Bout du Monde
Cirque de l’Infernet
Vers les
Fenestrettes
GR 653
Vestige de l’enceinte médiévale (ne se visite pas).
Prisons tower (XII century). A remnant of the medieval walls.
➊
HIKER
➎ Eglise St Laurent
Ancienne église paroissiale du village (fin XIème,
début XIIème siècle). Espace culturel municipal
(expositions…).
St Laurent church (end11th/beginning 12th
century). Former parish church. Cultural centre.
➋
HIKER
Vers l’Ermitage
et les lavagnes
GR 74
➏Le Verdus (petit ruisseau)
Le ruisseau « le Verdus » prend sa source
dans le cirque du Bout du Monde et se jette en
contrebas du village dans le fleuve Hérault.
The « Verdus » stream rises in the « Cirque
du Bout du Monde » and flows below the
village into the Hérault river.
d
e
t
ou
du
m
on
do
➐
place de la
liberté
na
rue du val de gellone
du te
ron
rue
du
t
p la c e
er
on
rue
du
b
➐Place principale et abbaye
➒
ru
➒
no
st
ra
théâtre
de verdure
traverse de
➑ ➌
an
d
m
in
ru
e
de
llo
ne
on
Ge
de l’ase
erse
trav
f
la
de
Va
l
portal
du
nte
sce
de
c
he
rig
al
la
de
rue
gr
td
u
fo
ur
Place de la Liberté : Platane planté en 1855.
Entrée de l’abbaye de Gellone.
Abbaye de Gellone : joyau du premier art roman languedocien :
L’Abbatiale (XIème), la crypte préromane.
L’orgue historique construit dès 1782 (facteur d’orgue : Jean-Pierre Cavaillé).
Les reliquaires de Saint Guilhem et de la Vraie Croix.
Le cloître dont une importante collection se trouve au Cloisters Museum
à New York.
Square (Place de la Liberté): Plane tree planted in 1855.
Abbaye de Gellone entrance.
The Abbey of Gellone, jewel of the early Romanesque art in Languedoc.
The abbey (11th century), the pre-Romanesque crypt. Registered as a
World Heritage Site by UNESCO in conjunction with the French section
of St James’ Way to Santiago de Compostela in western Spain.
The historical organ: built in 1782 (famous organ builder J.P Cavaillé).
The reliquaries of St. Guilhem and the True Cross.
The cloister, the greater part of which resides in the “Cloisters Museum
- Metropolitan Museum of Art” in New-York.
e
r
co
➍
r
a to u
t r a vers e d e l
➑Le musée d’Antan
Découverte de la vie d’autrefois et des anciens métiers. Artisan maître
santonnier.
The “Musée d’Antan”: Lives and crafts of ancient days. Master crafts
man “santonnier” (Christmas crib figure-santon).
Carlet
avenue St Benoit d’Aniane
direction Ganges /
Causse de la Selle
e
➏
ru
direction pont du
Diable / Aniane
➎
de
la
➒Le musée de l’Abbaye
Collection de sculptures romanes et gothiques du cloître. Reconstitution
virtuelle (film).
The “Musée de l’Abbaye”, featuring pieces from the ancient abbey
and a panoramic film “Cloisters travels” (animated history of SaintGuilhem and the abbey).
oc d e
font du p
ort
al
tr a v e r s e d u R
Place du portal
ange
laume d’Or
ave n u e G u i l
en 2012
Chemins
de Saint-Jacquesde-Compostelle
en France
inscrits sur la Liste
du patrimoine mondial en 1998
Pour une meilleure lisibilité, ce plan n’est pas conforme à la réalité cadastrale du village et ne tient pas compte de l’étroitesse des rues.
0
50 m
100 m
Tout commence en 804 avec l’arrivée
de Guilhem au Val de Gellone…
France. Avec la prise en charge de l’Abbaye par les Monuments
historiques, la restauration menée de 1960 à nos jours, a rendu
à l’édifice son aspect originel.
En 1998, l’Abbatiale est classée au Patrimoine Mon­dial­par
l’UNESCO au titre des chemins de St-Jacques-de-Compostelle
en France. Aujourd’hui, la communauté du Carmel Saint-Joseph
occupe une partie­­des anciens bâtiments et lui rend sa
destination monastique.
Petit fils de Charles Martel, cousin de Charlemagne, Guilhem­
s’illustre à partir de 790 dans de nombreuses campagnes
militaires qui le conduisent jusqu’aux marches de l’Espagne. En
801, la victoire sur les sarrasins à Barcelone le couronne de
gloire.
Pourtant, au terme de cet épisode, Guilhem choisit de déposer
les armes. Guidé par Saint Benoît, fondateur du monastère
d’Aniane et réformateur de l’ordre bénédictin, il se retire à
Gellone et y fonde le monastère Saint Sauveur. Il y instaure le
premier culte populaire : la vénération d’une relique de la vraie
croix offerte par son cousin Charlemagne. Bien après sa mort
en 812, la légende transmise par la Geste de Guillaume
d’Orange s’empare de l’histoire pour faire de ce grand seigneur
et conquérant, un moine puis un saint vénéré durant tout le
Moyen-âge.
Dès le Xe siècle, le monastère s’impose comme une halte sur le
chemin de Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle.
Our story begins in 804 with the arrival
of Guilhem in the Val de Gellone...
Grandson of Charles Martel and cousin of Charlemagne, Guilhem
became famous from 790 through numerous military campaigns
which led him up to the very borders of Spain. In 801, his victory over
the Moors at Barcelona crowned these military achievements.
Nevertheless, after­this episode, Guilhem chose to lay down his
weapons.­Guided by Saint Benoît d’Aniane, founder of the monastery
of Aniane and reformer of the Benedictine­order, he withdrew to
Gellone and created the Saint Sauveur­monastery there. He
established the first popular­cult - veneration of a fragment of the True
Cross, which had been donated by his cousin Charlemagne. Long
after his death in 812, the legend of Guilhem (William)­of Orange,
captured people’s imagination through “la Geste” (collection of songs
about his life) and the memory of this great lord, conqueror, monk and
then venerated saint was honoured throughout the Middle Ages.
At the beginning of the 10th century, the spiritual brilliance­of Gellone
held sway, and the monastory gradually­gained status as a stopping
off point on the Santiago de Compostela Way.
In the 11th century, in the shadow of the monastery,­a village arose
which adopted the name of Saint-Guilhem­-le-Désert during the
12th century.
During the 15th and 16th centuries, the appointment of commendatory
abbots and the religious wars gradually resulted in the decline of the
monastery. This magnificent structure was however saved from ruin
thanks to the work of the Benedictine congregation of Saint-Maur who
lived there until 1790. Mauristes, little known in religious­history, were
an intellectual elite dedicated to the rehabilitation of monuments
damaged during the religious wars, the re-struturing of monastic
discipline, historical and liturgical research.
Au XIIe siècle le village prend le nom de St-Guilhem­-le-Désert.
Au cours des XVe et XVIe siècles, la nomination des abbés
commendataires et les guerres de religion entraî­
nent
progressivement le déclin du monastère qui sera cependant sauvé
de la ruine grâce à la congrégation bénédictine de Saint-Maur. Les
Mauristes, méconnus dans l’histoire des religions, appartenaient
à une élite intellectuelle dont la mission était la réhabilitation des
monuments endommagés lors des guerres de religion.
The French Revolution however sounded the death knell of
monastic congregations and, from 1790, the abbey-church became
the only parish church of the village and conventual buildings were
sold to benefit the national purse. After a devastating flood of the river
Verdus in 1817, the convent served as a stone quarry. Deprived of its
sculptures, some of which are in the “Cloisters Museum ” in New York,
we can safely assert that the convent was a real victim of this period of
France’s history. It was necessary to wait until 1840 before the Abbey’s
care was taken in hand by the Historic Monuments Commission. Its
general­restoration, brought to a successful conclusion between 1960
and today, has given back to the building an aspect faithful to its
original spirit.
La Révolution Française sonne le glas des congrégations
monastiques !
À partir de 1790, l’abbatiale devient la seule église paroissiale
du village et les bâtiments sont vendus parmi les biens nationaux.
Dépouillé de ses sculptures dont une partie se trouve aujourd’hui
au « Cloisters Museum » de New York, on peut affirmer que le
cloître est la véritable victime de cette période de l’Histoire de
En 1998, the Abbey-church was classified as a UNESCO World
Heritage site, as part of the French section of Santiago de Compostela
Way. Today, the community of the Carmel Saint Joseph occupies
some of the ancient conventual buildings.
Le saviez-vous ? Did you know that?
Guilhem Le Désert : lieu de retraite spirituelle
Guilhem, occitan de Guillaume est aussi la forme du nom franc Whilhem, composé de Whil, « volonté » et
de helm, « tête casquée ». Un prénom prédestiné pour ce soldat dont les exploits sont célébrés par les
troubadours dans la chanson de Geste de Guillaume d’Orange. Il y est tour à tour surnommé « Fierebrace »
ou encore Guillaume au court nez. Constitué entre le XIIe et le XIVe siècle, le cycle de Guillaume d’Orange qui
compte 26 chansons est l’une des plus vastes épopées littéraires médiévales.
Loin d’être un désert géographique, le Val de Gellone traversé par le
ruisseau Verdus est une véritable oasis, lieu de repos et de retraite
que choisit Guilhem en l’an 804. Au Moyen-âge, le « désert » renvoie
à ces moines qui peuplèrent au IVe siècle les déserts d’Égypte et où
débuta et rayonna le monachisme chrétien.
Guilhem
The Desert: a place of spiritual retreat
Guillaume’s (William) Occitanian­name, is also the Frankish name, Whilhem, composed of Whil, “will” and “helm” –
“helmeted head”, a fitting first name for this great soldier whose exploits were celebrated by the troubadours in the epic
song of Guillaume­where he also went by the nicknames, “fierebrace”­and “Guillaume with the short nose”. Created­
between the 12th and 14th centuries, the song cycle of William of Orange, which consists of 26 songs, is truly a vast
medieval literary epic.
Far from being a geographical desert, the Val de Gellone­through which
courses the river Verdus is a real oasis, a place of rest and retreat which was
chosen by Guilhem­in the year 804. In the Middle Ages, the word “desert”
harked back to those monks who, in the 4th century,­lived in the deserts of
Egypt where the ideals of Christian­monasticism took root and flourished.
Le petit pain de croix Avec le XIe siècle, s’ouvre une période de rayonnement pour
l’Abbaye de Gellone qui s’impose vite comme une halte privilégiée
sur le chemin de Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle. Les pèlerins
empruntant la voie du Sud, encore appelée voie d’Arles, visitaient ici
le tombeau de St-Guilhem et vénéraient la relique de la Vraie Croix
qui est aujourd’hui encore l’objet d’un culte processionnaire. Pour la
circonstance, généralement le premier dimanche du mois de mai,
sont bénis des petits pains cruciformes, que l’on conserve toute
l’année dans les maisons pour se protéger de la foudre.
The “petit pain de croix” (cruciform shaped bread rolls)
With the 11th century came the greatest period of the Abbey of Gellone’s history
during which its status as a privileged stop off on the Santiago de Compostela
Way was established. Pilgrims taking this southern route, still called “The Arles
way”, visited St Guilhem’s grave and venerated the fragment of the True Cross
which is, even today, the object of a processionary cult. For the occasion,
generally on the first Sunday of May, cruciform­shaped bread rolls are blessed
and kept all year in people’s houses to protect them from lightning.
La cardabelle
Accroché aux portes de certaines maisons du village, ce beau chardon
appelé ici « cardabelle » (carlina acantifolia)­vous préviendra de la pluie
en refermant son cœur. Autrefois,­on utilisait ses feuilles piquantes pour
carder la laine alors que son cœur au goût d’artichaut se mangeait. Ce
porte-bonheur, que l’on trouve sur les causses, en voie de disparition, est
aujourd’hui protégé !
The “Cardabelle”
Attached to the doors of many houses in the village, this beautiful thistle, called
locally “cardabelle” (Carlina acantifolia)­warns us of rain by closing its heart. At one
time, that heart was eaten like an artichoke but now this good luck charm from the
limestone uplands is endangered­and therefore protected.
Pour plus de détails, édition « Ouest France »
en vente à l’Office de Tourisme
For more details, « Ouest France » edition on sale
at the Tourist Office
La légende du château du Géant On raconte à Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, qu’un terrible Géant, accompagné d’une pie vivait dans le château
qui domine la cité. Terrorisés, les villageois appelèrent Guilhem­à l’aide. Ce dernier, déguisé en servante
et muni de « Joyeuse », son épée légendaire, fit marche vers la forteresse. En chemin, la pie qui rodait le
reconnut­malgré­son déguisement. Aussitôt, l’oiseau s’en alla avertir­le Géant en ces termes :
- « Géant, ce n’est pas ta servante qui vient t’apporter de l’eau, c’est Guilhem qui s’en vient pour te tuer. »
Mais sûr de son fait et ne doutant pas de sa supériorité,
le Géant ne tint pas compte des mises en garde de sa
compagne et ouvrit la porte de sa forteresse. Après
un âpre combat, Guilhem victorieux précipita son
adversaire au bas des falaises du château. La pie
dépourvue, ayant perdu son protecteur, prit la fuite pour
aller se cacher on ne sait où.
Depuis ce jour, les habitants du village vivent en toute
quiétude et bien que la vallée de Gellone soit fréquentée
par de nombreuses espèces d’oiseaux, on ne revit jamais
de pie.
The legend of the Giant’s castle
It is said that, at Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, a terrible giant,
accompanied by a magpie, lived in the castle which dominates
the estate. Terrorised, the villagers called on Guilhem to help.
Disguising himself as a maid and secretly armed with “Joyful”,
his legendary sword, Guilhem approached the fortress. As he came nearer, the magpie, which patrolled the castle
grounds, recognized him despite his disguise. The bird immediately flew away to warn the Giant with these words
“Giant, this is not your maid who comes with water, but Guilhem who comes to kill you”.
However, so sure of himself and his superiority, the giant ignored the warnings of his avian partner and opened the
door of his fortress to the “girl”. After a long, hard fight, Guilhem, victorious, dashed his opponent at the foot of the cliffs
below the castle. The magpie,­bereft of its protector, flew away to hide, no one knew where. Since that day, inhabitants
of the village have lived in complete peace and, although the valley of Gellone­is frequented by numerous species of
birds, no magpies are seen.
Horaires de visites de l’Abbaye de Gellone : toute l’année de 8h à 18h. Cloître fermé : de 12h à 12h45 ; les dimanches et jours fériés
de 11h à 12h15.
Horaires des offices religieux : messe à 11h tous les dimanches.En basse saison : Laudes 7h30 – Midi 12h15 (semaine sauf jeudi) –
Vêpres 18h. En haute saison : Laudes 7h30 – Midi 12h15 (semaine sauf jeudi) – Vêpres 18h45.
www.saintguilhem-valleeherault.fr
tourismesaintguilhem
www.saintguilhem-valleeherault.mobi
Abbey de Gellone – opening hours: all year round from 8 am till 6 pm. Cloister closed from 12 noon till 12.45 during
the week and from 11 am till 12.15 pm on Sundays and bank holidays.
Schedules of church services: mass at 11 am every Sunday. In the low season: Laudes: 7.30 am - 12.15 noon (weekdays except
thursday). Vespers: 6 pm. In the high season: Laudes: 7.30 am - 12.15pm (weekdays except thursday) Vespers: 6.45 pm.
Février 2015 - Crédits Photos : OTI Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert – Vallée de l’Hérault, Communauté de communes Vallée de l’Hérault. - Illustration Icare Van Clysse
Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert