The history of Jews in the Languedoc region of southern France is rich, complex, and intertwined with broader European Jewish history. The area, now part of the modern Occitanie region, had Jewish communities that were influential during the Middle Ages but later faced persecution, expulsion, and challenges under changing political and religious climates. Here’s a detailed look at the history of Jews in the Languedoc:

Early Jewish Presence in Languedoc

Jews are believed to have settled in Languedoc during Roman times, likely between the 1st and 4th centuries CE. The region, which included cities such as Narbonne, Béziers, Montpellier, and Carcassonne, was an important hub for trade and intellectual exchange, making it an attractive place for Jewish merchants and scholars.

By the early medieval period, Narbonne had developed into a major Jewish center. Jewish communities in Languedoc were generally integrated into the region’s social and economic life. Some Jewish families held significant influence, and the region became known for its relatively tolerant attitude towards Jews, especially when compared to other parts of medieval Europe.

The Jewish Golden Age in Languedoc (10th–12th Centuries)

During the High Middle Ages, especially from the 10th to 12th centuries, the Jewish community in Languedoc enjoyed a period of prosperity and cultural development, often referred to as a Jewish Golden Age. This era was characterized by:

• Religious Tolerance: Languedoc was ruled by local lords and counts rather than the centralized French monarchy. The relatively tolerant policies of these rulers allowed Jews to practice their religion openly and participate in local economies.
• Economic Role: Jews in Languedoc were deeply involved in trade, commerce, and finance. They were known as merchants, moneylenders, and artisans, contributing significantly to the local economy.
• Intellectual Achievements: The Jewish community of Narbonne was particularly well-known for its scholarship. Jewish scholars in the Languedoc were involved in philosophy, Talmudic studies, and the translation of Greek and Arabic texts into Hebrew. Jewish intellectual life in Languedoc influenced not only the Jewish world but also Christian scholars in the region, fostering a cross-cultural exchange of ideas. For example, scholars like Abraham ibn Daud and Rabbi Moses ha-Darshan were important figures in Jewish thought during this period.
• Montpellier became a center of Jewish learning and medicine, with Jewish physicians and scholars making significant contributions to the city’s renowned medical school.

The Impact of the Albigensian Crusade (13th Century)

The Albigensian Crusade (1209–1229), launched by the Catholic Church to eliminate the Cathar heresy in Languedoc, had significant consequences for the Jewish communities in the region. The crusade, led by northern French barons, brought the Languedoc under the control of the French Crown and greatly affected the region’s Jewish population.

The increased influence of the Catholic Church led to a rise in antisemitism and religious persecution. The Fourth Lateran Council of 1215 imposed restrictions on Jews, such as the requirement to wear distinctive clothing (often a yellow badge) and limitations on Jewish economic activities.

Expulsion and Persecution (13th–14th Centuries)

By the 13th century, the situation for Jews in Languedoc worsened. As the region fell under more direct control of the French monarchy, the Jewish communities experienced increasing restrictions and persecution. Notable events include:

1. 1276 Expulsions from Toulouse and Carcassonne: These cities saw Jewish communities expelled as part of the growing influence of royal and ecclesiastical powers in southern France.
2. 1306 Expulsion from France: In 1306, King Philip IV (“Philip the Fair”) ordered the expulsion of Jews from all of France, including Languedoc. Jews were forced to leave their homes and had their property confiscated. This expulsion marked a significant decline in the Jewish presence in the region.
3. Return and Expulsion in 1322: Some Jews returned to Languedoc after 1315, when King Louis X temporarily allowed them to return to France. However, in 1322, they were expelled again by King Charles IV.
4. The Black Death and Pogroms (1348): During the Black Death, Jews were often scapegoated for the plague, leading to violence and pogroms across Europe. In parts of Languedoc, Jewish communities were attacked, and many Jews were killed or forced to flee.
5. 1394 Expulsion: The final expulsion of Jews from France occurred in 1394 under King Charles VI. This decree applied to the Jews of Languedoc as well, essentially ending the long-standing Jewish presence in the region.

Marranos and Crypto-Judaism (15th–17th Centuries)

Despite the expulsions, Jewish life did not entirely disappear from Languedoc. After the expulsion from Spain in 1492 and Portugal in 1497, some Sephardic Jews fled to southern France. While many officially converted to Christianity (becoming conversos or Marranos), some continued practicing Judaism in secret. This crypto-Jewish community persisted in parts of Languedoc, though they faced the constant threat of persecution by the Inquisition.

Modern Era and Jewish Resettlement (18th–20th Centuries)

In the centuries following the expulsion, the Jewish presence in Languedoc remained minimal. However, in the 18th century, under King Louis XVI, Jews were allowed to return to certain parts of France, including Languedoc. The French Revolution (1789) and the subsequent Napoleonic era brought full emancipation to Jews in France, granting them citizenship and equal rights.

During the 19th century, small Jewish communities re-established themselves in Languedoc, particularly in cities like Montpellier and Narbonne. These communities were part of the broader resurgence of Jewish life in France, which thrived under the principles of the French Republic.

20th Century: Holocaust and Post-War Jewish Community

During World War II, the Vichy government, which controlled much of southern France, including Languedoc, collaborated with Nazi Germany in persecuting Jews. Many Jews in the region were arrested and deported to concentration camps. However, some Jewish families survived with the help of local resistance groups and sympathetic citizens.

After the war, the Jewish population in Languedoc, as in the rest of France, slowly rebuilt. Jewish immigrants from North Africa, particularly after the decolonization of Algeria, Tunisia, and Morocco in the 1950s and 1960s, boosted the Jewish population in southern France.

Contemporary Jewish Community

Today, Jewish life in Languedoc is a small but vibrant part of the region’s religious and cultural landscape. Montpellier remains the center of Jewish life in the region, with synagogues, cultural organizations, and schools. The Jewish population in the region is relatively small, especially when compared to cities like Paris or Marseille, but it is active and engaged in preserving the region’s long Jewish history.

The Jews of Languedoc played a vital role in the region’s economic, intellectual, and cultural life for centuries, particularly during the medieval period. Despite facing persecution, expulsion, and tragedy, the Jewish legacy in the region remains strong. Today, while the Jewish population is smaller, the history and contributions of Jews in Languedoc are remembered and celebrated as part of the region’s diverse heritage.