The Best of Cathar Castles: from Carcassonne to Foix

These fortresses remain the living memory of a tragic history which marked the South-West of France during the Crusade against the Albigensians.

Departing from Carcassonne and its famous medieval city, you will set off to discover the most famous sites and castles of Cathar history, in the heart of landscapes as breathtaking as they are varied, which your guide will be happy to help you discover. First, in the Aude department, you will have the opportunity to visit the eagle's nest of Quéribus, the incredible fortress of Peyrepertuse, and Puilaurens, a bastion par excellence.

In Ariège, you will explore the castle of Montségur, the highest of the Cathar castles, standing on its "pog" at an altitude of 1207m. Then, before reaching the city of Foix and its castle, you will visit Montségur's close neighbor, Roquefixade, perched at the top of an impressive cliff.

Beyond the discovery of a territory, its heavy and omnipresent history, this Cathar country is rich in magnificent and varied landscapes, influenced by the Mediterranean and Mountain climates which merge here, but also by the work of Nature which has dug the gorges in the limestone, shaped the rocky spurs and allowed Man, throughout time, to exploit these natural riches.

Additional Information :
Day 1: Start of stay in Carcassonne or Foix

- People arriving by train: Meet at 18:45 p.m. at the hotel in Carcassonne (located 300m from the train station).
- People arriving by car: Meet at 17:15 p.m. in front of Foix train station (09). (Free, unguarded parking on site). Transfer to Carcassonne.

Check-in to your accommodation. The welcome drink and briefing on your stay will take place in the heart of the medieval city, where you will have dinner. What a wonderful medieval setting for a first evening!

Day 2: From Carcassonne to the Château de Quéribus

In the morning, visit and discover the famous medieval city of Carcassonne. At the end of the morning, transfer to the castle of Quéribus, the "citadel of vertigo". Built on its rocky peak, this true eagle's nest remained the last place of Cathar resistance during the Crusade against the Albigensians in 1255. Perched at 788m, from the summit terrace of the keep, grandiose landscapes unfold before our eyes, from the summit of Canigou to the plains of Roussillon and Corbières. Then you will join Duilhac sous Peyrepertuse for a short hike through the vineyards of Corbières, the fragrant scrubland and overlooking the refreshing gorges of Verdouble and their pools of turquoise water. Night in Duilhac sous Peyrepertuse.
Distance: 8km, elevation gain: +200m, elevation loss: -200m, transfer: 1h40.

Day 3: From the Galamus Gorges to Peyrepertuse Castle

Short transfer to the Galamus Gorges. Today's hike begins at the entrance to the gorges, an impressive canyon carved into the limestone, an extraordinary natural site. The Agly, the river of eagles, cascades from waterfall to waterfall, carving out the rock, where the road, built in 1884, clings halfway up the cliff. The route then continues towards the Peyrepertuse fortress: the castle stands at an altitude of 800m on a limestone ridge. It is one of the finest examples of Cathar fortresses, part of the ancient defense line of the "five sons of Carcassonne." Overnight stay in Duilhac-sous-Peyrepertuse.
Distance: 11km, elevation gain: +620m, elevation loss: -500m, transfer: 25 min.

Day 4: From Duilhac to Comus, between visits to castles and panoramic hikes

Transfer from Duilhac to Puilaurens (45 min) and visit the eponymous castle. Perched on a rocky spur at 697m, in the heart of a coniferous forest, this majestic site is reached by a botanical trail. We then take the road again to head towards Comus and the Sault plateau to hike towards the Roc de Quercourt where a magnificent view of the high peaks of the Ariège Pyrenees awaits you. Night in Comus.
Distance: 2,5km; elevation gain: +170m; elevation loss: -170m (Puilaurens castle)
OR Distance: 5km, elevation gain: +200m, elevation loss: -200m (Roc de Quercourt)

Day 5: From Comus to Montségur, a major and emblematic site of Catharism

In the morning, we arrive at and visit Montségur Castle, perched on its hilltop. It symbolizes the resistance of the dying Cathar Church against the Church of Rome, but also against the King of France and the lords of the North, in search of the fertile lands of the South: they took possession of the site after the surrender and the stake of 1244. After this visit, we reach the pretty fortified village of Roquefixade, to hike along the Cathar trail to Foix. A panoramic hike, which will also allow us to discover the perched ruins of Roquefixade Castle. Overnight in Foix.
Distance: 16km, duration: approximately 6 hours, elevation gain: +500m, elevation loss: -800m, transfer: 40min

Day 6: A favorite hike in the superb Ariège Pyrenees

For this last day, we suggest you take to the heights: for this, your guide is given carte blanche! Indeed, Foix is ​​the final stage of the Cathar trail, but is also an ideal starting point for the high valleys and viewpoints of the Ariège Pyrenees. Here is the opportunity to help you discover them. Water is omnipresent there, so we will favor a hike to one of our magnificent high-altitude ponds! And the cherry on the cake: Friday is market day in Foix, the picnic will be entirely composed of fresh and ultra-local products!
Maximum distance: 12km, duration: approximately 6 hours, maximum elevation gain: +650m, maximum elevation loss: -600m, transfer 30 min.

Day 7: Free discovery of the city of Foix and its castle, end of stay at Foix station

End of stay in the morning or during the day, depending on your train schedule. We advise you to allow time for a visit to the old town of Foix with its alleys full of history, then a visit to the count's castle (optional, entry not included. Info on https://www.sites-touristiques-ariege.fr/chateau-de-foix/ ). See the "practical information" section of this fact sheet.

The programs have been established according to the latest elements known at the time of writing: imponderables are always possible and situations beyond our control may modify the course of events.

Supplements/discounts: - Single room supplement: €205/person (NB: when staying overnight in a guesthouse, the room is single, but the bathroom is shared by 2 people)

The price does not include

Insurance - Meals not indicated in "the price includes" - Transfers not included in the program - Visits not included in the program - Drinks - visit to the Château de Foix - €15 registration fee

The price includes

- Full-board accommodation from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 7 (NB: picnic on day 7 not included) - Transfers during the stay - Luggage transport during the stay - Supervision by a BE AMM living in Cathar Country - Access and visits to the castles (EXCEPT FOIX)

Accommodation

• Bed & Breakfasts
• Hotel