Welcome to our self catering Gite - a Quick look at Mazamet History
The medieval village of Hautpoul is the historical birthplace of Mazamet. It is perched 4kms from the centre of town on the slopes of the Black Mountains (Montagne Noire) looking down towards the town and valley of l'Arnette.
After the destruction of the Cathare Fortress of Hautpoul in the 13 th Century the inhabitants moved down into the valley of l'Arnette developing a prosperous textile industry in Mazamet.
A legend says that a golden comb fell into the river Arnette giving it certain qualities, and this was to be the origin of the town's prosperity.
During the 19 th Century the discovery of Fellmongering, a method of preparing hides for the leather industry, brought great prosperity to the town and with it many changes.
In 1851, in order to combat the lack of raw materials, the industrialists of Mazamet began importing sheepskins from Argentina, New Zealand and Australia. Due to a shortage of space in the valley of l'Arnette, warehouses able to stock great quantities of wool were built in the town centre and a surprising example of mixed architecture developed, where middle class houses were in contact with industrial buildings.
After 1856 a number of young men left Mazamet to manage trading posts in the countries which were supplying the skins. Expatriates from Mazamet returned with great architectural ambitions and new residential areas developed where classical villas rival those they had seen on their travels in South America.
The textile industry expanded, thick flannel, cotton, pullovers, ties and traditional french berets were all produced locally.
