Southern French Gothic or Meridional Gothic (French: Gothique Méridionale ; Occitan: Gotic Miègjornal ) is an architectural aesthetic and specific variety of Gothic architecture that developed in the region of Languedoc between the 12th and 14th centuries. Distinct from the gothic architecture of northern France, it is a more simple, less ornate style with Romanesque , Mediterranean, and "militant" influences.

It developed when the Catholic Church reasserted its authority on the region of Languedoc following the Albigensian Crusade. This campaign aimed to eliminate Catharism, a branch of Christianity deemed heretical that once thrived in present-day Southern France. It also resulted in the Toulouse area becoming aligned with the Kingdom of France.

Common characteristics of Southern French Gothic are single-nave interiors and the use of wide barrel vaults, as seen in structures like the Toulouse Cathedral. The vaults, which were possibly among the widest in Europe at the time of their construction, served to create open and imposing interiors suitable for religious preaching and large gatherings.

During the 12th and 13th centuries, Catharism, a dualistic Christian sect that criticized the authority and practices of the Catholic Church, began to develop in Occitania, with a notable presence in Languedoc. The Cathars followed a simpler, more austere form of Christianity and criticized the wealth, materialism, and corruption of the Catholic clergy. They also believed in gender equality.

In response to the growing Cathar movement, Pope Innocent III launched the Albigensian Crusade in 1209. This military campaign aimed to eradicate Catharism and bring the region under the control of the Catholic Church and the French Crown. The crusade lasted for two decades and resulted in widespread violence, executions (burnings at the stake), destruction, and the suppression of Occitan culture. The Medieval Inquisition continued to persecute the Cathars, which disappeared as a distinct religious group approximately by 1350.

Not much reliable or unbiased historical sources are known about the practices of the Cathars. Some historians theorize that they never truly existed in the first place, presumably fabricated as an excuse by the clergy and medieval theologians to launch an invasion against Languedoc. Others believe there is evidence that Catharism existed, but the "threat" they posed was exaggerated by the Catholic Church. The term "genocide" was coined by Raphael Lemkin in 1942, who cited the Albigensian Crusade as " one of the most conclusive cases of genocide in religious history ." Various modern scholars also regard it as such.

The Albigensian Crusade officially ended in 1229 with the Treaty of Paris. The independence of the County of Toulose was ended and formally submitted to the crown of France, but the counts of Toulouse continued to rule the county until 1271. The Catholic Church made efforts to re-estabilish its authority and gain the support of the people. This involved not only militar and political control, but also a shift in their religious approach. They recognized the problems of Catholicism that Cathars criticized, especially materialism and opulence.

Architecturally, this resulted in the adoption of a more austere and unadorned style. This style was promoted by Folquet de Marselha (1150-1231), an anti-Cathar bishop of Toulouse. Scholars from France often describe the style as a "militant art"; a weapon in the Church's fight against Cathar dissent. It turned the Cathars' own preference for austerity against them and provided space for Catholic preaching. It contrasts with the Church's response to Protestantism centuries later, which led to the elaborate and ornate Baroque style.

Southern French Gothic was used in many Catholic construction and reconstruction projects, as noted by the Cathedral of Toulouse. It is primarily found in the regions of Southern France most influenced by the Cathar movement and the Albigensian Crusade. These include the present-day départements of Haute-Garonne, Tarn, Tarn-et-Garonne, Ariège, Gers, Aude, Pyrénées-Orientales, and Hérault. Examples of Southern French Gothic can also be found neighboring areas, which suggests that the style's influence expanded beyond historically Cathar territories.

In 1271, Joan of Toulouse and her husband Alphonse of Poitiers died without heirs. Thus, the County of Toulouse was annexed and officially became part of the Kingdom of France. Architectural styles originating from northern France, especially Rayonnant Gothic, began to spread locally, but Languedoc retained its own architectural traditions. The region began to grow economically, especially through trade with Avignon (then the seat of the papacy) and with ports in the Mediterranean sea and Atlantic. Economic prosperity led to an increase in both secular and religious artistic commissions.

Southern French Gothic gradually declined as the influence of Northern French architectural styles and the renaissance grew. The Black Death in the mid-14th century disrupted artistic production and economic activity.

One of the defining characteristics of Southern French Gothic is its austerity and simplicity. This is seen in the use of solid buttresses instead of flying buttresses, the limited number of openings, and the overall lack of elaborate ornamentation associated with other Gothic styles. This can be seen as a response to the Cathar criticisms of the opulence, materialism, and extravagance of the Catholic Church.

Romanesque architectural traditions persisted longer in Southern France than in the north, and the transition to Gothic was gradual. This is reflected in the use of massive walls, rounded arches, and simple vaulting systems in many Southern French Gothic buildings.

Many Southern French Gothic churches are built with a single nave, a feature that promotes good acoustics and allows for a clear view of the preacher. This design choice may have been influenced by the Church's desire to communicate its message to the faithful in the aftermath of the Albigensian Crusade.

In regions where stone was scarce, brick became a common building material. The use of brick is a one of the main features of Southern French Gothic, especially in the areas surrounding Toulouse, Montauban, and Albi. Brick construction allowed for unique decorative possibilities, and geometric patterns and contrasting colors were often employed.

Two main types of bell towers are characteristic of Southern French Gothic:

Defensive elements, such as battlements, machicolations, and watchtowers, were frequently incorporated into Southern French Gothic churches. Although they may have served a practical purpose in some cases, they mostly had a symbolic function, meant to represent the power and authority of the Church.

Although the term "Southern French Gothic" is primarily associated with religious buildings, the same architectural principles of simplicity, austerity, and defensive elements can be found in secular structures as well. Examples include mansions, colleges, and palaces in cities like Toulouse and Albi.