Castelnau-de-Lévis. Karine Mons tells the locals of the village at the library

Who has never wondered about the origin of the names of a place, a street, a site or even a surname?

If this is your case, don’t miss Karine Mons’ conference organized by the Castel’lire association on Saturday November 23 at 3 p.m. at the Castelnau-de-Lévis library. It was to shed light on the microtoponymy of her village that this enthusiast of Occitan culture looked into a science at the crossroads of linguistics, history and geography: toponymy. An inexhaustible investigative work carried out for seven years by the Castellevissienne, to “shed light the meaning (proven or possible) of the places called our commune, which, even if the meaning has been lost, tells the story of the men and peoples who have succeeded one another on our lands over the centuries.” Where we learn that the term “La Mailhourié” can find its origin in “malhol”, meaning a row of vine stocks, or in the name of a Mailhol family authenticated by notarial deed living in this place. By unwinding the thread of the ball, “La Tronque” may have been a place of toll (church trunk) or a place of clearing. “Les Prats” designates meadows and gave the surnames of Pradelles or Pradals, and “Mascrabières” can describe a steep place or the goat farm. For Karine Mons the adventure begins with learning “Lenga Nostre” under the patronage of Muriel Vernières, teacher at the Center Occitan Rochegude (COR). Based on numerous authoritative works, his work has been authenticated by Bénédicte Fenié, doctor in ancient geography and author of a thesis on microtoponymy. Keen to share her knowledge, she will be happy to lift the veil on the microtoponymy of Castelnau.