Cathar Castles
The last refuges of the Pure Ones
Following the fall of Carcassonne to the Crusaders in 1209 the Cathars literally headed for the hills and built some more or less impregnable fortresses in the hills of the southern Aude at that time on the border with the lands of the King of Aragon.
The resulting structures are known the ‘Five sons of Carcassonne’ and these are Quéribus’, Aguilar, Peyrepertuse, Termes and Puilarens. Another famous stronghold was Montségur to the west of the others and which was the last Cathar stronghold to fall in 1244.
All have been at least partially restored and can be visited.
N.B. Fans of Dan Brown’s Da Vinci Code can visit nearby Rennes-le-Château where it is said that the Holy Grail was brought by the Cathars when they were fleeing from the Crusaders. There is no castle ruin here but there is plenty of interest to be seen.
Finally, check out the entry on the Cathar village of Montaillou