 The Romans named the place "ALBARES" probably because of the silver poplar leaves they found in the vicinity of the present village.In a deed from the year 963 concerning donations from the nearby village of "Fontjoncouse" at Aymeric, the Archbishop of Narbonne, wrote the words "VILLA ALBARES (ALBAS)".In 1196, the Viscountess Ermengarde of Narbonne donated in her will the "castrum" or "fortified place" of ALBAS to a military order.