Cathar Castles: Mini-Guidebook of The Itinerary
Cathar Castles: Mini-Guidebook of The Itinerary
Cathar Castles: Mini-Guidebook of The Itinerary
Contents
Itinerary map............................................................................................................................................................ 5
Itinerary schedule ................................................................................................................................................... 6
Day 1.................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
Day 2 .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 7
Day 3................................................................................................................................................................................................... 8
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Regional information
Aude
In the heart of Languedoc, between Cabardès and the Mediterranean coast, lies
the Aude. Explore this land steeped in heritage, as seen in the famous fortified city
of Carcassonne, Narbonne, City of Art and History, the castles in Cathar country
such as Peyrepertuse and Quéribus, the abbeys of Fontfroide and Lagrasse, as
well as the Romanesque sculptures by the Master of Cabestany which adorn some
of the religious buildings... You can also enjoy a ramble on the Black Mountain or
in the Regional Natural Park of Narbonne in the Mediterranean, to admire the wild,
unspoilt countryside, before taking to the water and basking on a fine sandy beach
at one of Aude’s six seaside resorts...
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Blanquette de Limoux
Invented in 1531 by the monks of Saint-Hilaire Abbey, in the Limoux area, this sparkling
white wine, with aromas of fruit, honey and spring flowers, can be served as an aperitif, and
also to accompany fish, white meat and desserts. With an AOC label, Blanquette de Limoux,
which is made from Mauzac, Chardonnay and Chenin grapes, comes in "Dry", "Semi-Dry"
and "Sweet" versions.
Ariège
The Ariège is an attractive destination for those interested in prehistory as it has the
largest concentration of caves (grottes) in France, the most famous of which are at
Niaux and Mas d'Azil. In addition the département boasts a wonderful natural,
pastoral and cultural heritage: scenery alternating between valleys and the Pyrenees
mountains, lakes and rivers, plains and forests, as well as medieval castles, typical
villages and museums of history, art and traditions. With over 5,000 kilometres of
waymarked footpaths, more than 300 kilometres of rivers and 10 winter sports
resorts, it's also a dream destination for outdoor activities such as hiking, horse
riding, mountain biking, skiing, fishing and river sports. You'll be spoilt for choice!
Mounjetado
Also known as mongetada, mounjetado is an Ariège variant of cassoulet. Its name comes
from the Occitan word mongeta, meaning bean. This recipe originally consisted of a mixture
of beans cooked with meat leftovers. Today it's a celebration dish that is eaten with pork and
fatty duck, and often served at village fêtes.
There are several variations depending on the area, but in Ariège, the recipe is always the
same. Mounjetado is made of lingot beans, onions, carrots, duck confit, rind, heel of ham,
duck carcass, duck fat, Toulouse sausages and duck leg confit. The whole thing is seasoned
with herbs such as laurel and thyme, and salt and pepper.
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The Tasto Mounjetos brotherhood in Comminges, a region straddling Ariège, Gers, Haute-
Garonne and Hautes-Pyrénées, regularly organises events to promote this typical product
of South-Western cuisine.
Azinat
Famous throughout the upper Ariège valley, azinat is a typical regional dish made with
cabbage and local pork products. This dish dates back a long way and is a family recipe
that was once eaten by people who worked in the mountains. They would prepare a piece
of bacon and a few vegetables, and leave it to cook all day long so they would have a hearty
meal when evening came.
Azinat, whose name comes from the Occitan word for "assemble", is also known as cabbage
soup in Ariège. There are three different recipes: one with cabbage, one with Swiss chard
(another vegetable that's very popular in the region) and one with green beans. However,
all these recipes have one thing in common: rouzolle. This sausage meat, ham and streaky
bacon stuffing is indeed an essential ingredient.
Azinat is generally enjoyed with a glass of red wine from the South-West, such as a Fronton
or a Béarn.
Bethmale
Bethmale is an unpasteurised cow's milk cheese with a pressed curd that originates from
Le Couserans in the Ariège Pyrenees. Matured in a traditional way, this fruity and creamy
cheese goes wonderfully with a slice of bread and a glass of red Madiran wine.
Flocons d'Ariège
Flocons d'Ariège are an artisan sweet created in 1985 by a confectioner in La Tour-du-Crieu.
The name is meant to remind us of the snowy mountains in the region, which are loved by
its residents and tourists.
This treat consists of a very light little meringue the size of a walnut, flavoured with vanilla,
with a particularly creamy hazelnut praline in the middle. In this recipe (which remains a
secret), there is sugar, hazelnuts, cocoa butter, egg white and vanilla. The flavoursome
flocon d'Ariège, which lightly melts in the mouth, is a treat for anyone with a sweet tooth!
The factory in La Tour-du-Crieu can be visited upon request. Visitors can watch the different
steps of the production process and sample the goods at the end.
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Itinerary map
Below is the general itinerary map. The route is indicated in blue, while stopping places are indicated by
red dots.
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Itinerary schedule
Day 1
A barrier for the Cabardès region from the 11th century until the Revolution, and a
spearhead of the Cathar resistance in the 13th century, the Lastours site is an
exceptional ensemble, with its four medieval castles standing proudly at the summit
of a rocky spur, overlooking the Orbiel valley.
Standing amid wild, unspoilt countryside, this remarkable ensemble can be admired
from the viewpoint of Montfermier, a place unmissable for its splendid panoramic
view of the remains of the Lastours castles: Cabaret, the Régine Tower, Surdespine
and Quertinheux.
Then head for Rabier, the former textile factory, to see its archaeological exhibition
"Lastours, 4,000 Years of History", before climbing up the path leading to the majestic
ruins of the four castles!
Lunch 1h30
In the foothills of the Black Mountain, below the picturesque village of Saissac and
directly above a ravine, stand the remains of an ancient Cathar castle.
Built in the 10th century, and reconstructed between the late 13th and early 14th
centuries, then remodelled in the 16th century, Saissac Castle still retains a sturdy,
polygonal keep, quadrangular towers and curtain walls, as well as a Renaissance
building. In the latter, two restored rooms house a museum display about the
monetary treasure of Saissac: 2,000 deniers from the 13th century!
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Day 2
Montségur castle, the symbol of Cathar resistance rebuilt at the start of the 13th
century, was once a refuge for Cathars hunted down by the Inquisition. The
stronghold was besieged for 10 months before being taken by the royal army in
March 1244, the month of the Prat dels Cremats ("field of the burned") tragedy when
225 Cathars who had refused to renounce their faith perished on a funeral pyre. A
history and archaeology museum in the village of Montségur traces the history of
the site and of Catharism through a rich collection of objects found during excavations
at the castle.
Montségur fortress is perched on top of a rocky spur at an altitude of 1,207 metres
and can be reached on foot in 30 minutes. In addition to its medieval remains, it
offers visitors a magnificent panoramic view over the village below and the
surrounding scenery.
Lunch 1h30
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The square gate tower, the curtain walls, the courtyard of honour and the 35-metre-
high keep, which has four splendid rooms (such as the Musicians' Room with cul-
de-lampe sculptures of people playing different instruments), are all examples of
the medieval architecture you can admire on your trip to Puivert Castle, which dates
from the 13th and 14th centuries. Positioned at the top of a gently sloping hill, this
ancient Cathar site, which was attacked during the crusades of 1210, towers
majestically above the village of Puivert and its lake...
From its height of 697 metres, the Cathar castle of Puilaurens, on a rocky spur at
the edge of Fenouillèdes, proudly overlooks the verdant Boulzane valley.
An amazing example of the military architecture of the Middle Ages, Puilaurens
Castle, once one of the "Five Sons of Carcassonne", played an important role in the
defence of the old border between France and Aragon.
Before you can admire the crenellated walls, the barbican, the circular path, the
remains of the square keep or the Dame Blanche Tower more closely, you must
follow a pleasant botanical path which climbs to the foot of the fortress!
Day 3
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A steep path going from the car park on the edge of the castle road will take you to
the ruins of Peyrepertuse, about a twenty minute climb. Once you have arrived at
the site, you will be able to discover remarkable evidence of military architecture
from the Middle Ages, and admire superb panoramic views of the surrounding
verdant hills...
Each year in August, the Medieval Festival of Peyrepertuse, which takes place over
two days within the castle walls, in the heart of the village of Duilhac-sous-
Peyrepertuse, will take young and old back to the Middle Ages, with its shows,
concerts, banquet, market and medieval entertainments.
Relaxation 1h00
Lunch 1h30
Completely in the heart of the Corbières massif, near the village of Cucugnan, made
famous by Alphonse Daudet's book Letters from my Windmill (Lettres de mon
Moulin), stands the Cathar castle of Quéribus, at the summit of a narrow, rocky peak.
This medieval fortress, located at an altitude of 728 metres, is recognisable by its
imposing keep surrounded by three successive walls... A refuge for the Cathar faithful
during the Albigensian crusade, the citadel of Quéribus was the last stronghold of
Cathar resistance to fall into the hands of the crusaders in 1255.
Accessible in about ten minutes along a steep path, the Quéribus site has an
astonishing panoramic view from the terrace of its polygon-shaped keep - you can
see the Corbières, the Roussillon plain, the Mediterranean and the Pyrenees! The
superb Gothic room in the keep, with its ribbed arches, will also be a highlight of
any visit.
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Leisure activities
There are many leisure options available. Here you can find a selection of additional activities for your
itinerary. Booking is required for some activities, so we recommend contacting the organisers before turning
up.
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The France-Voyage.com online travel guide provides details of a whole range of accommodation and eating-
out options for the duration of your holiday. Here are a few suggestions based on your itinerary.
Restaurants
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Vacation rentals
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Campsites
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Hotels
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