The Platé carillon celebrates the Nadalet tradition in Castres

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The carillonneurs of the carillons en pays d'Oc association will ring that of the Notre-Dame de la Platé church to celebrate Nadalet, until December 23.

From 6:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m., visitors to downtown Castres will hear the bells of the carillon, Louise and her sisters, ringing loudly. From 7:45 p.m., the carillonneurs will perform Christmas tunes at the carillon. The term Nadalet comes from the word Nadal which means Christmas in Occitan.

Nadalet: a living tradition celebrated by the platé carillon in Castres!

This term refers to the ringing of bells carried out each year during the days preceding the Christmas celebration. In Castres, at the end of the 16th century, the carillonneur was paid annually to ring the Angelus every day and the Nadalet at Christmas. For this, he received the annual sum of 4 pounds.

According to specialists, it seems that the town of Castres is the last place in Occitania where Nadalet has continued without interruption for several centuries. With the installation of the carillon of Notre-Dame de la Platé in 1847, the carillonneurs transformed this hitherto rhythmic ringing into a melodic concert of Christmas carols.

This tradition, which had almost disappeared in our regions, is gradually tending to be revived, especially in towns with a carillon, but also in certain villages wishing to revive this custom.