The Motte de Pech de Nadieu combines a distinctive shape with a precisely described location: it lies about 500 metres from the village of Payra-Sur-L'hers, on a wooded ridge covered with oak trees. At its foot, two small streams meet. The square earth mound measures about 16 metres on each side and around 2 metres high; it is surrounded by a ditch approximately 13 metres wide and 5 metres deep. These approximate measurements convey the scale of the earthwork and make its shape easy to visualise.
Church and château: traces of different eras
The Église de la Sainte Vierge preserves a Romanesque portal from the 12th century; the church already belonged to Alet Abbey in 1119. The later heritage protection records relate to different elements: the portal was classified as a Monument historique on 22 November 1932. The church, excluding the classified portal, was listed as a Monument historique on 2 February 1988. This makes it possible to distinguish the church's early connection with the abbey, the surviving portal and the two separate protection dates.
The château is a 16th-century residence. It appears to have been built under Raymond de Marion before the Wars of Religion of 1562–1595. Marion was the queen's tax farmer and had become wealthy through the pastel trade. The dating therefore places the building before the Wars of Religion, but does not specify an exact year. The château has an almost square floor plan. A small square tower stands to the east, and an échauguette is located near the north-west corner. A detached round tower was later used as a dovecote. The building's basic shape, the position of its towers and the round tower's later use provide different clues for understanding its architecture.
Walking routes and a guided tour of the village
The Les Chemins Retrouvés association offers eight walking routes in the municipality of Payra-Sur-L'hers, giving visitors a chance to discover its landscapes. As of 2024, two of the routes had been included in the PDIPR, the departmental plan for walking and hiking trails, and marked with the required yellow waymarks. The eight routes describe the scope of the offering; information about the two marked routes is specific to 2024. Check the waymarks on site before setting out.
A guided tour of the village titled “Sur les pas de la Reine Margot” was also offered for the 2026 season. If you would like to include a guided tour in your travel plans, check in advance whether suitable dates are available and when they take place.
Dairy products from La Jasse
The Ferme de la Marg’Aude in La Jasse turns its cows' milk into a range of yoghurts, desserts, fromage blanc and crème fraîche; raw milk is also available. The products can be ordered or collected directly from the farm. Ordering and farm collection are two options to consider when planning your visit. As arrangements may change, check the current ordering and collection options before travelling.
Discover more destinations: Fa, Montferrand, La Serpent, Saint-Martin-Le-Vieil, Villemoustaussou, Coursan, Maisons, Montgaillard
For the broader travel overview: Aude.
