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Origin and history

The church of Saint-Félix de Portiragnes, first mentioned in 1305 under the name Ecclesia Sancti Felicis castri de Porcairanicis, was then a priory dependent on the chapter of the Cathedral of Saint-Nazaire de Béziers. That year Bishop Berenger III donated it to the canonesses of the abbey of the Holy Spirit. Subsequent texts cite it in 1323 under the names Rector de Porcayranicis et Prior de P. et S. Cypriano, but the present Gothic-style building dates back to the mid-14th century (circa 1330-1340), as indicated by architectural details such as carved caps.

In the 17th century, repairs were undertaken to restore the pavement and gate. In 1760, the church appeared under the name of Cure de Portiragnes, integrated into the Archpriest of Cazouls. Its heritage history marks a turning point in 1932 with its classification to historical monuments, followed in 1934 by the withdrawal of the interior plaster, revealing the raw basalt stone. The bell tower's arrow was repaired in the same year, followed by the structure and cover of the nave in 1974 and 1982.

The architecture of the church, built in basalt like that of Vias, combines remarkable Gothic elements. The square bell tower, pierced by ogival bays and surmounted by an octagonal arrow, bears inscriptions dated 1723, testifying to repairs by a master mason of Agde. The western facade, sober, presents a gothic portal in white limestone, framed with foothills decorated with patted crosses. Inside, the exposed nave and the vaulted choir once housed statues and a monumental chandelier, removed after 1932.

The northern gate, after the initial construction, is surmounted by a pinacle and a trilobed egg-eye. A basalt cross dated 1698 is supported. The transept forms two chapels, while the seven-paned apse, illuminated by narrow windows, retains a sculpted arch key from an Agnus Dei. The caps, with summarily carved human heads, reflect the constraints of the basalt, a stone not adapted to fine sculpture.

The church, originally priory, was attached to the cathedral chapter of Béziers before being rebuilt in the 14th century. Pastoral visits of the 17th and 18th centuries mentioned dedicated chapels, such as that of Saint-Antoine in 1690, and repairs. Its present status as a listed monument makes it a rare testimony of southern Gothic architecture in basalt, local volcanic material.

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