Ariège is certainly the destination that still contains the most secrets, mystical places, villages, and especially castles linked to Catharism the Cathar castles, bastions of rebellion, of resistance to the Catholic Church, are exceptional places to explore in Ariège!
After Carcassonne, Puivert, Peyrepertuse, discover the Castle of Foix, Roquefixade, Montaillou, Lordat, Montségur !
Cathar castles do you want some here!
The Cathar castles are a must-see! Ariège is a land wounded by the crusade led against the heretics or "good men" who, in the 13th century, were persecuted for believing in their own dogma, the catharisme. It took a century to overcome the Cathar resistance in Languedoc!
Montségur, citadel of vertigo
Le Montségur castle is best known in the minds of travelers for its terrible pyre of March 1244 where hundreds of Cathars were burned on the orders of the Catholic Church and Kingdom of France for heresy. It was one of the last Cathar castles taken by Hugues des Arcis after months of siege.
What to say about this unmissable place, perched on its pog at an altitude of 1207m, except that it seemed unattainable ?

Roquefixity
Toulouse enclave in the county of Foix, Roquefixade remains faithful to the counts of Toulouse at the time of the crusade against the Albigensians. Perched on top of an impressive cliff, thea fortress of Roquefixade faces that of Montségur.

The site is freely accessible and offers an exceptional view of the surrounding mountains.
Foix, the impregnable CASTLE
Simon de Montfort, leader of the crusade against the Cathars is said to have declared in front of the castle of Foix: "I will melt the rock like fat to grill the master there!". However, the castle remained impregnable ...

The castle dominates the city of Foix from the top of its rock, its 3 towers and machicolations intact. At the top of the round tower, the Pyrenees appear before the eyes of travelers, such as the famous Gaston Fébus, one of the most famous masters of the place, saw them in the XNUMXth century.
The castle offers an incredible immersive visit in two stages: the museographic part, and the medieval part. Events, workshops… impossible to get bored at the Château de Foix!
- montaillou
In the XNUMXth century, the castle was owned by Bernard d'Alion, Lord of Donezan, who married Esclarmonde de Foix, one of the great figures of Catharism, the sister of Raymond-Roger of Foix, 6e Count of Foix. Montaillou, like Montségur, is one of the last Cathar strongholds to fall! Destroyed by the State during the Crusade, it was nevertheless rebuilt in the 13th century and served as a checkpoint towards the Aragonese border. The ruins that we see today are a far cry from the castle that stood during the crusade against the Albigensians.


- Usson
On its rocky promontory on the border with the Aude, the castle of Usson is one of the oldest fortresses of Donezan. Castle of the ancient lords of So and Allion, it is a thousand-year-old site that protected the country of Donezan from any incursion, and served as a refuge for the "Perfects". It was, until the French Revolution, the residence of the Marquis of Usson.
Today consolidated and saved from ruin, this remarkable site can be visited and also houses, in the old stables, 700m2 of museographic space, temporary exhibitions not to mention the many activities throughout the summer: falconry, treasure hunt, night of the stars, night visit and even try electronic music!

- lordship
It is almost a thousand years old and with its two walls, it is one of the largest of the Cathar castles in Ariège.
From the top of its spur at an altitude of 965m, the Château de Lordat dominates the upper Ariège valley, like an imperturbable lookout, and offers a remarkable panorama.
In turn under the aegis of the Counts of Foix, the Kings of Aragon, partly demolished in the 16th century, it also served as a hideout for bandits. The castle of Lordat is today the subject of crystallization work and offers many activities for all audiences: falconry, medieval shows, fire games, treasure hunts, escape games, guided tours, starry nights, regional product markets, etc.

- Mists
Miglos Castle is positioned at the top of a limestone outcrop, 779 meters above sea level. Located above the village of Capoulet, in the town of Miglos, he commanded both the Miglos and Vicdessos valleys as part of a defensive system that protected the county of Foix and which included fortified castles and caves. Arnaud de Miglos, Lord of the place, was locked up in 1244 by the Inquisition, for him too, having sheltered fellows in his enclosure.
You are passionate about Catharisme ? Learn the whole history of this dark period in Languedoc!