LANGUEDOC-Roussillon: Print
Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4


Corresponding to the present départements of Tarn, Aude, Gard, and Ardèche, with parts of Haute-Loire, Haute-Garonne, and Tarn-et-Garonne. It was divided into two parts: Higher Languedoc, having for its capital Toulouse; and Lower Languedoc, with Montpellier as its chief city. This région has a long and distinguished Jewish history especially in Béziers, Montpellier, Narbonne, and Perpignan. Two letters of Sidonius Apollinaris and the canons of the council held at Agde in 506 prove the existence of numerous and prosperous Jewish communities. While Languedoc was a dependency of the Visigoth kings, the Jews suffered much persecution, but in a far less degree than their brethren on the other side of the Pyrenees. Protected by the Christian inhabitants, who often rebelled against their kings, the Jews of Languedoc could easily evade many oppressive laws enacted against them. The edict of expulsion issued by Wamba in 672 provoked a general uprising of the inhabitants. After the province had been pacified and the edict was enforced, the absence of the Jews was of very short duration. The 1306 Order expelling the Jews from France brought them to Provence, Catalonia (Spain), Roussillon, and Perpignan. At the end of the 14th century, following the French annexation of Languedoc, more Jews were expelled and moved to Provence. Jews did not settle again in Languedoc until the end of the 18th century. The Roussillon région was home to numerous Jewish scholars distinguished in religious studies as well in the secular intellectual realm. Perpignan, where nothing of the medieval community remains, was a Talmudic study center. Jewish physicians were well known and served towns all over the région. Many studied at the University of Montpellier's world-renowned medical school in the 14th century. [January 2008]