Gardie, Aude

Gardie (Gàrdia) is a commune in the Aude department in southern France.

Geography
It is a small hilltop village on the edge of the Barris stream valley. It is in the Canton of St Hilaire, 4 km away.

History
The village has Roman origins and was named Gardiaco. It was probably built as a guardpost for the nearby St Hilaire Abbey.

The centre of the village has a Circulade, a circle of old houses that would have originally been built around the perimeter of the now missing chateau as a defensive feature. It was possible to circumvent the village through the attics of these houses. The church has a small tower topped by a cast iron frame cap and bells.

Economy
Gardie is a farming village with the main crop being grapes. Most of the grapes go to produce the famous Blanquette de Limoux or Limoux A.O.C. red wine.