On the way to Peyrepertuse - a Cathar Castle in the clouds

Trek in the clouds

You could see this day how the clouds was hanging around the summits of the lower Pyrennes.
We had in fact to wait till after lunch before visiting - even then we ended up with a walk in the clouds this day of May 2012.

Find the old castle at the google map here >>

Peyrepertuse the Cathar Castle in the clouds...

You could see this day how the clouds was hanging around the summits of the lower Pyrennes.

We had in fact to wait till after lunch before visiting this very interesting historical site - even then we ended up with a walk in the clouds this day of May 2012.

Click on the photo for a Flickr Photo Set.

 

Beziers and Minerve in the Cathar history

Beziers with the Saint Nazaire Cathedral and the old Roman bridge crossing the river 

The ethnic cleansing of the Cathars in the Languedoc region started here in Beziers with the burning of some 20.000 citizen The 22nd of July 1209.
The place where the local abbot when asked how to sort out catholics from cathars is said to have replied:
"Neca eos omnes. Deus suos agnoscet” – “Kill them all, God will know his own.”


KLICK here for more interesting details and selected photos at my Flickr Photo Set >>

Cathar Castle - Chateau de Lastours - HD

An unusual arrangement of three castle towers is this fortification that  belonged to the Lords of Cabaret, who held in fief from the Trencavels. 

 In the thirteenth century there were three towers here, built on the same rocky outcrop. They are called Cabaret (to the north), Quertinheux and Surdespine (to the south). These are some of the few original Cathar castles left. 

 The Seigneurs of Cabaret received troubadours here, including Raymond de Miraval and Peire Vidal, who dedicated verses to the Cathar Ladies of the place.

Lastours lies in the Aude departément just north of Carcassonne. During the Cathar Crusade this was one of the most ardent centres of resistance to the French Crusaders,

In 1209 it was besieged unsuccessfully, by Simon de Montfort. It was here a year later that a line of a hundred men appeared on foot, having snaked their way from Bram, their eyes torn out, their noses cropped and their lips cut off by the Holy Catholic soldiers of Christ., carrying out what they described as "God's Business"

 In March 1211, after the fall of Termes, Pierre-Roger de Cabaret, negotiated the surrender of the château, under diplomatic rather than military pressure. In 1223 he recovered his property. Once again Cabaret became the foremost centre of resistance against the French invaders. The Cathar bishop of Carcassonne, Pierre Isarn, was given refuge here until 1226.

A visit to St. Martin-du-Canigou in South of France (HD)

NOW: Enjoy HD quality directly - just click & PLAY..
The 1000 years old monestary "St. Martin-duCanigou" in the Deep South of France is absolute worth a visit..

In the land of the Cathars

In the land of the Cathars you will find many beatiful landscapes and villages. As in the photo above from the Limoux region.

You are also invited to see my photo set with more photos of this region and also some selected photos from the Cathar towns: Mirepoix and Foix.

Just click here for all 54 photos>>

Cathar Castle: Usson

Upstream from Axat in the Aude Gorge, carved out of the foothills of the the high Pyrenees, is the little known castle of Usson. It dates from the eleventh century (perhaps earlier) and during the Cathar period marked the eastern boundary of the territories of the Counts of Foix. In the twelfth century this was the capital of the Donezan region. Before the Défilé was cut through the mountains to link Quillan to Axat, this was an inaccessible outpost providing succour for faidits and other persecuted Cathars.

More photo and info at my Flickr set >>

Carcassonne the medival city

Carcassonne one of the strongholds of the Cathars in the 1200. Later the city was expanded by the French. Today it presents itself as a giant tourist trap. Maybe a "must" to see in South of France but be there early in the morning or as here a bit out of season on a grey day to avoid the usual "tourist invasion"...

Klick for a series of 9 Carcassonne photos...

..or view all Flickr photo sets...

Carcassonne
City (pop., 1999: 43,950), southwestern France. Situated on the Aude River, it was occupied by the Iberians in the 5th century BC and later by Gallo-Romans. Muslims took it in AD 728. The French soldier Simon de Montfort captured it c. 1209, and in 1247 it was united with the French crown. It was burned by Edward the Black Prince in 1355 when he failed to take the citadel. A 13th-century church and cathedral survive, as do remains of medieval fortifications, the last of which were designated a World Heritage site in 1997. The city's main economic activities are tourism and retailing. (Ref. Brittanica)

Photos also in the "Resident" Magazine

After using 3 of my photos of some Cathar Castles, in South of France, in the English speaking magazine "Barcelona Metropolitan" the publisher now also have launched the article - and photos in the "Resident". Another English speaking magazine distributed along estate owners at the Costa Brava - popular region north of Barcelone ending in the border to France. For larger photo pls. click here.