This day is dedicated to visiting the amazing Cathar castles of Peyrepertuse and Quéribus.Ĭhâteau de Peyrepertuse is one of the most impressive Cathar castles in the Cathar Country, France, and one of the most beautiful castles in Southern France. In addition to its medieval remains, the Montségur Castle offers magnificent panoramic views over the village below and the surrounding scenery.ĭay 3 | The Cathar Castles of Peyrepertuse and Quéribus However, inside the fortress, everything was quiet and peaceful. We could feel this energy even on the road leading to the Castle, especially when the Castle’s silhouette appeared to us on the horizon. Château de Montségurīefore visiting Montségur Castle, we read that this is a place with a lot of energy. It was reported that some sang during their sacrifice. In all, two hundred people, all voluntary Cathars, died in the fire. After the surrender, all the Cathars who refused to deny their Cathar beliefs were burned at the stake. The stronghold was besieged for ten months before being taken by the royal army in March 1244. The castle was under siege four times, but the Crusaders would only take it in 1244. Montségur Castle is perched on the top of a rocky spur at an altitude of 1,207 meters, and it overlooks the village with the same name. Montségur Castle is one of the most important castles on the Cathar Castles map because it was the last focus of Cathar’s resistance against the Crusaders. The café-terraces, shops, and the traditional market on Monday mornings make it a lovely spot to visit.Īfter Mirepoix, the road trip continues to Montségur to visit its castle. Mirepoix has preserved a 14th-century fortified gate and a stunning market square surrounded by beautiful half-timbered houses from its medieval past. Mirepoix is one of the most beautiful villages in the Cathar region, France. A new village was rebuilt on the other side of the river following a plan which was typical of the 13th century and known as bastida. Originally, Mirepoix was located on the Hers-Vif River’s right bank, but it was destroyed by a violent flood in 1289. From 1206, a great Cathar council gathered up to 600 Perfects (the highest authorities in the Cathar religion) in the village. Mirepoix was an important Cathar village in the region. Day 2 of this Cathar Country road trip takes you to the medieval village of Mirepoix and the Cathar castle of Montségur. It’s time to hit the road to explore more Cathar sites. Today Carcassonne Castle and the Citadel, with its winding alleys, are the city’s main Cathar sites, while the Lower City, built after the siege, is of a completely different design.ĭay 2 | Mirepoix and Montségur Castle Mirepoix. But then, in breach of the safe conduct, Raymond-Roger was seized and immediately thrown into prison, where he died in mysterious circumstances.

On 14th August 1209, Raymond-Roger and nine of his subordinates were given safe conduct to discuss the terms with the besiegers, and they accepted the terms. It was drought and thirst that made the Viscount of Carcassonne capitulate after two weeks of siege.

The two burgs around the Citadel fell quickly, and they were burned and destroyed while the fortress resisted the attacks well. Raimond-Roger Trencavel, Viscount of Carcassonne, protected the Cathars, and soon the city became a land of heresy in the eyes of Pope Innocent III.Īs a result, Carcassonne was one of the main targets during the first Cathar Crusade in 1209, which was led by Simon de Montfort. The Cathar religion had many followers within Carcassonne’s walls. The Cité de Carcassonne is one of the most important sites to visit in the Cathar Country. The Cathar religion was, however, supported and protected by many influential people in the region, such as the Counts of Toulouse.ĭay 1 | Carcassonne Castle and Citadel Carcassonne Castle and Fortress, Southern France In the Cathar region, troubadours, poets, and musicians sang of love, honor, and using skills to succeed, quite different from the practice of the time, which was that the richest, strongest, and most noble families prevailed. The Cathar religion proposed a different interpretation of the Gospels, rejecting, in particular, all the sacraments of the Catholic Church (baptism of water, Eucharist, marriage, etc.) and the excesses enjoyed by its priests and bishops. Catharism was viewed as heresy by the Catholic Church, which was the predominant religion in France.Ĭatharism had incredible success in Languedoc, a region with a brilliant and refined civilization, much different from France north of the Loire. Who were the Cathars? The Cathars were the followers of Catharism, a Christian movement that thrived in southern Europe, especially in the historical region of Languedoc, between the 12th and 14th centuries.

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