Cathar Country

The Languedoc region, once the home of Catharism in France,
still houses numerous reminders of the history of this religious
sect that was active in the 12th and 13th centuries and posed
a threat to domination by the Catholic Church. Crusades were
duly mounted to eradicate these religious ‘renegades’ and
Cathars on the run found safety in the strategically placed
fortresses of the local Occitan nobility who were loyal to
the Cathar cause. There are several of these so-called
‘cathar castles’ in our direct vicinity: Montségur, Puivert,
Puilaurens, Peyrepertuse and Quéribus.

The ‘Cité’ of Carcassonne is one of the most famous examples
of a medieval citadel in Europe and well worth a visit for its
romance of the Middle Ages.

The secret of Rennes-le-Château has intrigued countless people from all over the world and has made this little village nearby the second most important tourist destination in the Aude. The village museum examines the life and history of the keeper of this secret, the infamous parish priest Berenguer Saunière.

Closer by in the neighbouring village of Rennes les Bains, hot water enthousiasts can ‘take the waters’ at the thermal baths.

Those who prefer cooler activities can go caving or canoeing in the upper reaches of the Aude valley.

Those who prefer cooler activities can go caving or canoeing in the upper reaches of the Aude valley.

A natural phenomenon to be visited either on foot, biking, or for the more adventurous, by canyoning, is the spectacular Gorges de Galamus. Its vertiginous limestone depths have been carved by the water of the Agly river, which springs up on the slopes of the Bugarach Mountain and meanders southeast all the way down to the Mediterranean sea.

The quiet country roads are an invitation to a leisurely exploration of local picturesque towns and villages, of quaint churches and stately abbeys, of other unusual examples of religious and military architecture, framed in the stunning natural scenery that is so characteristic of the region.