14 cathar castles to visit in Occitania

From the occitane area? Don't miss visiting the Cathar castles, historical monuments that make the heritage of the region!

It is impossible to visit Occitania without leaving on the assault of the Cathar fortresses! Uncontournable, you've necessarily heard one day of these vertigo ! Perched on rocky pitons several hundred meters, they make the character of the Cathar Country. Dominating the plains and cities, majestic despite the marks of time, these ruins reflect the tragic history of a region marked by the Crusades and Wars of Religions of the 13th century. In the middle of a spectacular natural setting, experience an unforgettable experience by visiting the many Cathar castles in the Occitania region.

You don't know where to start? Follow the guide, we have concocted for you, a list of 14 occitan cathar castles to discover during your stay.

1. Château de Quéribus

Nestled at the top of the Corbières (728 meters above sea level), the Château de Quéribus proudly dominates the sumptuous landscape. Indeed, the plains of Roussillon are below, the Mediterranean Sea at hand and the Pyrenees, with Mont Canigou carried in triumph, nearby. This strategic position is not anodine when you know that it is a former bastion of cathar resistance.

Majestic and indisputable, the Cathar castle opens its doors during free visits. During 1h approximately , you can admire its Gothic style room, its dungeon and objects related to medieval daily life. This leap in the past costs 7,50 € for adults, 6€ for students and 4,50€ for children.

Literary anecdote: Alphonse Daudet has made famous the village below, Cucugnan, in one of his news dealing with the Curé du village.

2. Castle of Lordat

Eminent and remarkable, the Château de Lordat offers a breathtaking view of the Ariège valley. Perched on a rocky grove, the medieval fortress reflects a painful past. Indeed, following the fall of Montsegur in 1244, she served as a asylum for the last cathares who, gradually, are decimated.

Nowadays, this site is visited for the greatest happiness of children who can, during the summer, admire a falconry show, play a track or participate in a historical reconstruction. At the time of the visit, you will go through History following the traces of the Cathares.

The castle is open all year except from December to March including. Once the winter has passed, come and spend the day in the castle! The rates are of 4,50€ for adults and 2,50€ for children. Animation days, count 10€ for adults and 7€ Children

3. Castle of Peyrepertuse

Spectacular and imposing, scintillating the roussillonnais sky in two, the Château de Peyrepertuse faces that of Quéribus. With the name of the village (Duilhac-sous-Peyrepertuse) it overlooks, the citadel is remarkable by its architecture, but also its size. In the same area as the City of Carcassonne (and it’s not nothing!), he sits above the vines and garrigue.

Built under Saint-Louis , the Château de Peyrepertuse protected the border with Aragon. Nowadays, departing from its functions, the fortress visits all year round at the cost of 7€ for adults, 6€ for students and 4€ for children.

The event not to be missed: In August, a medieval festival brings life to the citadel.

4. Fortresse Royale de Najac

Located in the southwest of France, this fort is the worthy witness of the power of old. Military defence model, the Royal Fortresse of Najac has not lost its splendor! Over time, it welcomed the Counts of Toulouse, the Templars, then the Crescents and, in turn, served as a defence and prison fort.

Today, the renovated enclosure welcomes tourists for a visit to the site. During this period you will visit the dungeon, still intact, the chapel of Saint Julien, decorated with frescoes and the Governor's room. Don’t leave until you see the magnificent view that the castle terrace offers. The rates are of 6€ for adults and 4,50€ for children.

The surprising anecdote: This is the most visited private monument in the Midi-Pyrénées region.

5. Château de Montségur

Built at 1207 meters above sea level, the Ariegean citadel of Montségur is a high place of catharism. After a fierce struggle, the Cathars lose their Capital in 1244, after a siege of almost a year. The bloody and tragic history of this place highlights the religious and bellicose policy put in place by the King of France and the Pope who led many cruel executions.

Today you can visit this Grand Site and its museum all year except January . It should be noted that the schedules range between 10am and 7pm depending on the periods. The rates are from 5,50€ for adults and 3€ for children.

6. Château de Puilaurens

This is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cathar castles! Perched at 697 meters above sea level on Mount Ardu, this fort dominates the green and mountainous region. The medieval vestiges of the Château de Puilaurens and the Pyrenean decor intertwine creating a unique atmosphere. Its enclosure is well preserved: towers, stairs, ramparts, doors... every place tells a story.

For this visit, the rates are 7€ for adults and 4€ for children.

Scary anecdote: According to legend, her enclosure, including her dungeon, is haunted by the White Lady.

7. Châteaux de Lastours

You want to see various cathar castles without making too many kilometers. Lastours is the solution! Indeed, here you will not see one, neither two, nor three, but four cathar castles! Impressive, but wait it’s not over! This complex is named because these four royal fortresses: Cabaret, Tour Régine, Surdespine and Quertineux are still on the top of a rocky sparrow.

During your visit, you can admire this archaeological site and an exhibition entitled “Lastours, 4000 years of history”. We advise you to: first of all admire the panorama from the Belvedere, then hike to the heart of the site and finally make a “Faune and Flore” route or hurried in three zones: geology, botany and zoology. For this visit, the rates are 7€ for adults , 5€ for students and 2,50€ for children.

8. Château de Saissac

In the heart of the Black Mountain, this is one of the cathar castles you will remember forever as its enclosure is exceptional. In addition to a breathtaking architecture, the frame is quite splendid: the Pyrenees chain and the plain carcase on both sides.

During your visit, admire the fortifications of the castle, visit the dungeon and browse the exhibition on the Treasure of Saissac composed of 2000 deniers of the 13th century. For this visit, the rates are 5€ for adults , 4€ for students and 3€ for children.

The event not to be missed: the second weekend of August welcomes the Medieval of Saissac. This festival promises various animations within the castle but also in the village of Saissac.

9. Château de Termes

Not far from Carcassonne, the Château de Termes could almost shade the famous City. Overlooking the Termnet Gorges, overlooking the charming village of Termes, protecting the vineyards and the garrigue, the citadel peaks at 460 meters above sea level.

Before you explore the path of the Cathar castle, an introductory film on the history of the region will be presented to you. Afterwards, thanks to a tourist guide, you will continue the walk with your desires. The rates are of 4€ for adults and 1€ for children.

The gourmet detail: the castle offers a dining area (medieval roasting) in which you can enjoy recipes from the Middle Ages.

10. Château de Puivert

It is probably one of the most famous cathar castles in France. Indeed, not far from Puilaurens is the most cinematic fortress in the country! The medieval enclosure served as a decor to various films like The Passion Beatrice de Tavernier, Migratory people Jacques Perrin and Ninth door Roman Polanski.

In addition to being a shooting place, the Château de Puivert is one of the best preserved cathar castles. Today, his proud dungeon bears witness to a medieval occitan past. To access this strong place of catharism you must follow the path of the Troubadours (which you will take back in the past).

For this visit, the rates are 7€ for adults and 5€ for children.

11. Château de Villerouge-Termenès

Not far from Carcassonne, it is one of the most beautiful Cathar castles in the region! Completely restored, this defensive fortress dominates the medieval village below and the wine landscape.

The high place of catharism, the medieval fortress saw the last of the Cathars, Bélibaste, burnt in 1321. Restored but still borrowed from History, this castle retraces the fate of the ultimate survivor. For this visit, the rates are 6€ for adults and 2€ for children.

The gourmet detail: the castle offers a dining area (medieval roasting) in which you can enjoy recipes from the Middle Ages.

12. The City of Carcassonne

Uncontournable cathar sites, the City of Carcassonne contains, within it, the Château Comtal nicknamed the Fortress in the fortress . The imposing fortifications of the City attest to an architectural and historical richness. Indeed, true jewel, the City knows the influence of several centuries (more than 1000 years of military architecture and 2600 years of history!).

In addition to the breathtaking viewpoint: view over the low city, the Black Mountain and the Pyrenees, many monuments are to be seen in the City. In fact, among the must-sees, we suggest you discover the Basilica of Saint-Nazaire, the ramparts, the hourds, and the Lapidaire Museum. For this visit, the rates are 9,5€ for adults and free for under 18 years.

13. Château d’Aguilar

You are in Perpignan for the holidays, why not stop in one of the Cathar castles in the region? We recommend visiting the Château d’Aguilar, a former fortress erected by Saint-Louis.

Perched on a rocky grove, the citadel dominates the Tuchan plain and offers a superb panorama of the Corbières, the Pyrenees and the surrounding vineyards. From the top of its estal foot, the fortress visits the year. For this visit, the rates are 4€ for adults and 2€ for children.

14. Castle of Roquefixade

And here is the last of the cathar castles presented in this top, but not the least! Juched at the top of a cliff, the fort is marked by catharism. Impressive and immense, its enclosure is more than 100 meters long!

During this free visit and free , you can access the site by a tour-portière. This is one of the only pieces still standing with a wall drilled with two windows and a tower.

Good walk in the Cathar Country!