About
In the heart of the 3rd century, when the Roman Empire was shaken by violent persecution of Christians, Caprais, the first bishop of Agen, had to flee from those who wanted to stone him. Hunted down, he found refuge in an isolated cave near Payssous. There, exhausted and with his face covered in ulcers, he leaned over a clear spring gushing from the rock. Washing himself in it, he miraculously recovered.
This event had a profound effect on the memory of the inhabitants of Payssous, who made Saint Caprais their patron saint and perpetuated the memory of his deliverance.
The reputation of the spring then spread far beyond the village, carried by the itinerant tinsmiths – pewter craftsmen, often from Payssous – who travelled through the regions and brought back the tale of the miracle everywhere.
Even today, the water from this spring is reputed to have medicinal and healing properties; in particular, it is said to cure childhood impetigo.
31510 PAYSSOUS