Culture

The Cathars

The history of the Cathars, also known as the Albigensians, has left an indelible mark on this region since the 12th century. The ideas of this religious sect clashed with those of the Roman Catholic church. Papal attempts to convert the Cathars failed, resulting in bloody crusades and an inquisition against them during the 13th century. The massacre at Montségur in 1244, when 225 Cathars were burnt at the stake, marked the beginning of the end. Only in and around Montaillou did the Cathars hold their faith, until the Inquisition finally destroyed them in 1320. The inquisitors kept very detailed records of their interrogations of the people of Montaillou and its environs. So detailed, in fact, that in the 1970s they formed the basis for a fascinating and widely translated reconstruction of daily village life at the time (Emmanuel Le Roy Ladurie, Montaillou: Cathars and Catholics in a French Village, 1294-1324 ). Le Chateau is not far away from Montaillou. The remains of the ancient bastion are illuminated at night, as is the restored chapel by the old churchyard. As the names on the tombstones reveal, many of the current residents are descended from the Cathars…

The strongholds

Carcassonne was the most important base for the Cathars, and later for the crusaders and the Inquisition. A visit to the town is like returning to the Middle Ages. Its ancient ramparts dominate the skyline for miles around. Thanks to careful restoration, the town with its narrow streets, high towers and massive walls, is one of Europe 's best surviving examples of mediaeval architecture.

After the fall of Carcassonne, the Cathars retreated to more inaccessible fortresses on unassailable hilltops. The breathtaking ruins of these strategically located castles remain a permanent feature of the local landscape to this day. The most spectacular of all is the Cathars' last stronghold, Montségur. But Quéribus, Puivert, Puylaurens and Peyrepertus are all impressive sights, too.