カルカソンヌの洞窟・トップ10

Very cute little passageway

Known for being in 1185 the birthplace of the most famous lord of the place, Chabert de Barbeira, an Occitan knight loyal to the Cathar cause. Besieged in 1210 during the Albigensian Crusade, Pierre des Vaux de Cernay cites this siege in his chronicle of the crusade as a failure of the crusaders, due to poor weather conditions. The stronghold could date back to the Carolingian or even Visigothic era, but no historical study has yet been conducted on this castle. The building was listed as a historical monument in 19261. The "ruins of the castle" have been listed as natural sites since 19422 (Wikipedia)

It is an absolute must to visit the castle during the blue hour.

Belflou castle, nestled in the eponymous village, is distinguished by its remarkable moat. These aquatic ditches, surrounding the castle, measure approximately 10 meters wide. The castle, still standing, offers an authentic glimpse of feudal architecture.

Commonly called Château des Saptes, the building is in fact, in its functions, a mill. The set was bought at the beginning of the 16th century by the Saptes brothers, drapers. They want to take advantage of its location on a bend in the River Orb to concentrate their activity: preparation of raw wool, washing, fulling, dyeing, weaving, trimming, everything could then be done in the same place. We find around the castle a set of houses which made it possible to gather around them other related professions. Thus twisters, weavers, re-entryers, masons in charge of building maintenance settled nearby.

You haven't visited Carcassonne if you haven't visited the Cité. This fortress, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, lines up three kilometers of double surrounding walls and 52 defense towers that protected the historic old town. But during the Peace of the Pyrenees in 1659, these ramparts lost their military importance and the town developed around them.

Exceptional site of the Montagne Noire with its 4 castles, 40 caves and medieval village. Its history dates back to the Bronze Age and archaeological excavations continue in these places. The medieval complex includes 4 castles: Cabaret, Tour Régine, Surdespine and Quertineux, built on top of a rocky base; while the medieval village, the Castrum de Cabaret, is housed in the steep valley. For history buffs, visiting the village can easily keep you busy all day...

Here is a very small village quite representative of the Cathar country with its church and the ruins of a castle enthroned on a rocky outcrop. It had only 46 inhabitants in 2020, after having experienced a population peak of 469 inhabitants in 1806, a sign of the rural desertification that affects this region. The village is the birthplace of the troubadour Raimon de Miraval who officiated in the Languedoc region in the 12th and 13th centuries. A plaque leaning against the rock at the foot of the remains of the castle reminds us of his work and his existence.