Founded as a monastary in the 7th
century and later detroyed in the Sarazin invasion, the priory of Ayres
was reconstructed in the 8th century. Too quickly, it would seem, for the
wars of Aquitaine destroyed it once again...
It was toward 1025
A.D. that a monk
named Martin rebuilt the monastary for the third time and installed a
Benedictine community there. This very large domain was soon known
as"'Saint Martin of Ayres" (an ayre is a threshing floor). The community
received many pretigious visitors, among whom was the Queen Blanche of
Castille, and thus the monastary received many gifts as thanks for its
hospitality.
The monks were dependant upon the
powerful Abby of Aniane, then upon Saint Victor of Marseille. Finally, the
monastary became part of the cathedral chapter of Montpellier. But at the
beginning of the 16th century the monks abandonned this austere residence
in the face of increasing Protestant presence in the area. Only a sexton
remained to gather the revenue from the agricultural lands.
as"'Saint Martin of Ayres" (an ayre is a threshing floor). The community
received many pretigious visitors, among whom was the Queen Blanche of
Castille, and thus the monastary received many gifts as thanks for its
hospitality. 