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The old Episcopal palace of Alet-les-Bains sits on the Aude River banks between Limoux and Couiza. It is 33 km away from Carcassonne, an hour away from the sea and another hour from the ski resorts.
Alet-les-Bains has a rich architectural and historic heritage. As a result, are considered part of the national landmark the following buildings: the abbey, the 12th century cathedral, the 14th century Chapter House, the Episcopal Palace, the Medieval town and many 12th and 14th century Colombage mansions.
The origins of Alet-les-Bains’ abbey are shrouded in mystery, but can be traced back to around the 8th century. In the 12th century, it was an influential site, attracting a fair number of pilgrims. In 1318, the Abbey was erected as a Bishop's house, with a view of pursuing the war against Catharism. It stood until the Revolution, when the diocese included 60 parishes spreading until Formigueres and Saint-Paul de Fenouillet. During the 16th century, at the time of the religious wars, Huguenots fired and ruined the abbey. In the 17th century, Nicolas Pavillon, Alet's priest and disciple of Saint-Vincent of Paul, could have found the resources to restore the damaged buildings but decided not to proceed.
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L'Eveche, the ruins of the Cathedral, the parish church and the Presbyterian lie just across the bridge that crosses Nicolas Pavillon Avenue, Alet-les-Bains’ main street. It should be noted that His Eminence Roger de la Cropte de Chanterac, 35th and last bishop of Alet, who opened the "Grand Route" Limoux-Quillan, also built an extension to the oldest wing of the building dating from the 12th century, extension which still exists and operates.
Up a stone staircase from the old Abbey leads to the first floor, where visitors can view the beautiful and large old synod room as well as the antique trompe-l'oeil library. L'Eveche and its gardens (three hectares) are occupying the place where the abbey used to sit.
With the rift between Church and the State, the Episcopal Palace fell to owners who made a living by selling the Bishops’ furniture throughout the region. Until its purchase by Mr. Valent, buildings were used as henhouses and sheds, while a pigsty was built in the park that was no longer maintained. Heirs then decided to sell the entire abandoned property. At this time, the main portal was blocked and the building was almost indiscernible from the avenue, due to the overgrowth of vegetation.
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In 1951, the Hostellerie de l'Eveche was opened in the old Episcopal Palace, restored to its state at the time of the Bishops. Their suites had been converted in 10 rooms with some limited comfort that were however rented by the day. This lasted for three years, until major rehabilitation was undertaken in 1953:l'Orangerie, or the Greenhouse, was totally tore down, with the exception of the stone framework visible today and the bottom part of the north wall. After 18 months of work, a restaurant on the ground floor and a 20 rooms hotel were erected in a 45 by 10 meter buildings.
In April 1955, L'Orangerie was re-opened. Until recently, this part of the Hostellerie was used during the cold season, as it was the only wing equipped with a heating system. As a result, a move was taking place twice a year between l'Orangerie and l'Eveche.
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Refection works on the buildings and on the park were carried out during the off-season over 17 years, from the purchasing date to 1967. In October 1962, the complete renovation of the old Bishop palace commenced: after moving out all the furniture and tearing down each wall, an additional floor was created by lowering the floor of the attic by one meter. The current hotel was then born, growing from 10 to 23 rooms. Artisans from all trades were present each day on site. Mr. Valent coordinated the renovation's 30 to 40 workers while his daughter ran the business in L'Orangerie with her husband.
In June 1963, the complete renovation of the old Bishop palace was completed. The many patrons relaxed in this peaceful, verdant place. The demand for banquets was increasing and, with the boom of Spain as a destination for tourists in the 60s and 70s, many people stopped on their way, many of whom became regular customers.
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Some time later, in 1978, the construction of the highway between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea (“Autoroute des 2 Mers”) lead to the deviation of Alet from the busier route, providing a serious blow to the business. In the ‘80s, with the arrival of Christian Limouzy, freshly graduated from the Lycee Hotelier des Pyrenees de Toulouse (Culinary Institute for the Pyrenees in Toulouse), a new business plan was put together. With the help of his wife Yolande, who graduated from the Lycee Hotelier de Tarbes, many improvements were undertaken to meet the requirements of the clientele. Indeed, the growing demand was for the most comfortable rooms, to the detriment of more basic accommodations.
L'Orangerie then went from 4 rooms equipped to 8, while l'Eveche went from 6 to 12 rooms equipped. The demand for groups during the colder season, together with the need for harmonization of the rooms, lead to additional works. The purpose of this was to offer a 2 stars service to the clientele with direct phone, TV, toilets, bath or shower in all rooms.
Given the fact that significant investments had been realized to meet safety standards, and also in the absence of cash flow, works were postponed to 1998. Since 1998, improvement and maintenance works are carried every winter. One such improvement was carried out during the Winter 2001-2002 by fitting the park with a watering system that will help preserving the beauty of this botanical site.
This was the evolution of this building that was and still is one of the finest jewels of the region as far as hostelry and catering are concerned, not to mention its unique location and its secular trees.
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