a result of conquests in Languedoc Cross, St. Louis had strengthened the fortifications of Puilaurens , Aguilar , Quéribus , Peyrepertuse and Terms who formed the defensive line south of the kingdom "son of the 5 Carcassonne. It is in the discovery of the 5 castles that I invite you today, in the order of the loop road from Toulouse.
Castle Puilaurens
In the limit département of the Aude and Pyrenees-Orientales, Puilaurens long remained the castle's southernmost kingdom of France. Located about 700 meters above sea level, this castle dominates the village of Lapradelle, amidst a pine forest. In 985, appears the first mention of Puilaurens Castle, which belonged to the abbey of Saint-Michel-de-Cuxa. In the XIth century, it should be under the suzerainty of the Count of Besalù, then that of Vicomte de Narbonne.
The first known lord of Puilaurens, Pierre Catala, witnessed the submission of William Peyrepertuse to Simon de Montfort. Twelve years later, William Peyrepertuse which controls instead. Puilaurens is then held by Roger Catala, which, like its predecessor, it housed many Cathars. In 1241, the Cathar deacon of Fenouillèdes Pierre Paraire stays in place and from 1245 to 1246 more perfect and perfect are hosted. is not known exactly when the castle came under royal control, but the annexation seems consumed in 1250: in 1255, St. Louis gave the order to the seneschal of Carcassonne to fortify the castle. Defending the border against Aragon, in 1259 it was occupied by the largest garrison of the whole border, under the command of Odon de Montreuil. Until
Treaty of the Pyrenees (1659), the castle underwent repeated English incursions. Poorly defended and poorly maintained from the late seventeenth century, it was finally abandoned during the Revolution.
A legend says that the White Lady, niece of Philip the Fair, just for the pale nights, walking his gauzy veils over the parapet walls dismantled.
The tour begins with the discovery of botanical trail snaking up to the foot of the fortress. 
It will show you the plants and shrubs in the area with panels and glossary for your convenience typical of this flora. The trail continues through a journey that precedes a baffle fortified barbican.
Having had a role in the defense of the old Aragonese border, the castle offers all the repertoire of military architecture of the Middle Ages. 
It consists of two twin speakers: one organized around a large courtyard, the second smallest, includes a "dungeon" quadrangle. 
The whole is defended by four round towers. The towering walls of Puilaurens differ mainly by the remnants of its circular path and its aliasing. 
Finally, the monument reveals three campaigns Construction: around the "dungeon" primitive Romanesque buildings were added "French" dating from the mid and late thirteenth century. The seventeenth century saw the addition of secondary defenses. 
In the village you can admire the church of Saint-Laurent (twelfth to seventeenth century). Forest Fang, a former royal forest covering 1800 ha will offer numerous hiking and biking through the pine trees. A few kilometers, you can visit the Cave of the Aguzou and admire the remarkable parade of the gorges of St. George and Stone Lys sites for the practice of water sports. 
Gorges Galamus 
Castle Peyrepertuse 
Anchored in the reliefs of the Hautes Corbières Corbieres emerges 800 meters of altitude in the middle of the garrigue and overhanging the little village of Duilhac. From the top of the headland, the view encompasses the nearby castle of Quéribus, distant about 5 miles. The site was occupied Peyrepertuse in Roman times, early in the 1st century BC As part of the March of Spain, the first mention of the castle dates from 1020, at a time when the Perapertusa was among the shifting of Besalù Catalan counts. Subsequently, as sovereign Peyrepertuse had the counts of Barcelona and then towards the middle of the twelfth century, the kings of Aragon.
During the crusade against the Albigenses, William Peyrepertuse, not wanting to make his submission, was excommunicated in 1224. After the failure of the seat Carcassonne, William submits and the castle became a French possession in 1240. In 1258, the Treaty of Corbeil was set for four centuries, the border between France and Aragon: Peyrepertuse became a royal fortress at the southern boundary of the Crown. At the end of the thirteenth century, it embodies a fortified with exceptional defenses.
During winter 1367-1368, Corbieres is the refuge of Henri de Trastamara, pretender to the kingdom of Castile. The Treaty of the Pyrenees (1659) by removing the border its current location, diminished the strategic importance of this castle. However, he maintained a small garrison until the Revolution. In 1950, the first campaigns begin consolidation of the monument.
Peyrepertuse is the largest collection and most beautiful example of medieval military architecture of the South. This huge fortress equal in area, that of Carcassonne. You will reach the southern flank of the citadel from the town of Duilhac. After the home nestled at the foot of the cliff, you take a path marked by the box that allows entry to cross the monument by Nord.L structure consists of four parts: the lower chamber, the old tower, the chamber median and keep St. Jordi.
The loudspeaker bass, triangle north is defended by a thick wall confined by two semi-circular towers open at the throat. This wall is docked to the east by a spectacular outcrop. The sector has the distinction of having retained its circular path formed by large slabs supported by corbels. In the South, the curtain is mainly notable for its toilets. 
The old tower, plan complex, consists of the Romanesque church of St Mary and a home built around a courtyard. The southwest corner contains a tower equipped with a tank that appears to be the oldest building of Corbieres. 
The chamber median of vast proportions, is equipped with loopholes for guns. The remains of a guard post, the remains of an arched casemates and the ruins of a large building stands within polygon this enclosure. Finally, the dungeon St. Jordi is served by an endless staircase in the rock called "St. Louis". Among the pieces of the dungeon, you'll see the remains of the chapel of St. Jordi.
In the village you will admire the medieval enclosure says "the Fort" and a fountain adorned by Ronsard's verse: "Whoever will drink lover he becomes." the center, the Saint-Michel has just been completely restored. Finally, the gorges of Verdouble, one kilometer east of the village, offering a refreshing walk.
Castle Quéribus 
is on the Common Cucugnan Corbières village immortalized by Alphonse Daudet in his famous sermon priest, stands the castle of Quéribus. Perched on a narrow rocky outcrop, the castle emerges and projects its massive silhouette at 728 meters. Mentioned in 1020, the castle was then part of Quéribus County Besalù, then Barcelona and finally enters the house of Aragon in 1162 as a royal fortress. 
A "family Cucugnan" appears for the first time in 1193. During the crusade against the Albigenses, it presents itself as one of the champions of the cause of the Languedoc. Thus, before 1240, Stone Cucugnan refueling heretics Castle Puylaurens and hosts the Faidit Aniort of Guiraud. In 1240, he joined Raymond Trencavel who laid siege to Carcassonne. 
Following the failure of the siege, he submits himself to St. Louis. The castle is still home to the Cathars Quéribus. The deacon of Razes, Benoît de Termes, there refuge under the authority of the knight Chabert Barbaira. one is finally forced to yield to St. Louis in 1255. Last bastion to fall, eleven years after the fall of Montsegur, it becomes a centerpiece of the defensive French.
Quéribus is one of "five son of Carcassonne" with Aguilar, Corbieres, Puilaurens and Terms. Its strategic location of the first order allowed him to exert a remarkable oversight on the Roussillon plain to the south and to bar the entrance of the Massif des Corbières at the enemy. He lost its strategic interest in 1659 when the Treaty of the Pyrenees, which sets the border with Spain to its current location.
The ticket can visit the Castle Quéribus and attend the "Sermon of the Vicar of Cucugnan" show virtual images of the theater Achille Mir, Cucugnan. A trail, easy access, leading to the entrance of the castle. Quéribus is an excellent example of military architecture. It has all the elements: stunners, murderous, gun-elements ... related to daily life in the fortress are also maintained: tanks, main building ...
All can be visited via narrow staircases, corridors, masonry or carved into the rock. The tower is renowned for its polygonal "room pillar. Lit by a massive chamfered mullioned window, is early Gothic. His vault is based on a powerful pillar circular bloom in palm.
A spiral staircase allows access to the terrace of the tower. An unforgettable panorama offered to the visitor: the Mediterranean Sea, the Corbières massif of the Pyrenees. Orientation tables and information boards will help you discover the site. For a personalized tour, the Audiopass can discover, in complete freedom, history and architecture of the site. 
In the heart of an old village house has been converted into a theater pocket. It reveals the story of the priest of Cucugnan, made famous by Alphonse Daudet in "Letters from my mill." The theater is dedicated to Achilles Mir, writer Aude author of a version in Occitan and verse of this little masterpiece of wit and poetry. The show, about twenty minutes, combines sophisticated image, the sound of a voice of storyteller Gougaud Henry. Cucugnan, dominated by the silhouette of a windmill in operation, invites you to discover an amazing speaker and Virgin streets with evocative names: Traverse Abbot Martin.
Castle Aguilar 
In Cathar country in a landscape of scrub odorous contrast to the neat appearance of the High Fitou vineyards, stands the Castle Aguilar. Resting on the rock like a crown, it overlooks the plain Tuchan. The name "Aguilar" comes from the Latin "aquila" meaning eagle. You can find the first mention of the Puy de Aguilar in 1020, in the will of Bernard Taillefer Count Besalù, great grand-son of Wilfred the Hairy, who bequeathed to his eldest son Guilhem. Later, he became "Castle of Aguilar, belonging to the lords of Termes, vassals of Trencavel.
After the crusade against the Albigenses, the castle belongs to the King of France, who returns to Olivier de Termes in 1250 in recognition of his brilliant actions in the Holy Land. By the Treaty of Corbeil in 1258, Aguilar became a forward position on the new border with Aragon. In 1260, Louis IX, king of France, bought the castle of Aguilar who becomes a royal fortress, one of five son of the city of Carcassonne. In 1659, the Treaty of the Pyrenees regrowth border on the crest of the Pyrenees. 
Château d'Aguilar is composed of two hexagonal pregnant. The original enclosure (XIIth) consisted of two superimposed rooms. The home of the lord and the lower room of the guard who was informed and defended by five arched loopholes, a rare and remarkable architecture in the region. The outer (XIV s) is flanked by six semi-circular towers open at the throat, ie without interior wall to thwart attacks. Aguilar in this period is with several defense systems. With its towers, shooting angles, barbican, her stun ... Aguilar was a perfect example of defense. A chapel of Romanesque tradition dedicated to St. Anne, stands outside the enclosure, on the western side. The nave is barrel vaulted and lighted by two windows splayed. Château d'Aguilar was listed building with its immediate surroundings in 1949.
Facing the Castle, the mountain overlooking the village of Tauch Tuchan. This mountain range of interest ecologically important, is the highest of Corbieres Orientales. It offers exceptional panoramic vantage point on the entire region. A bronze marker with the inscription "Chaise de France 1870."
Nestled on the slopes of Mont Tauch, the chapel with his Pomp virgin fourteenth century Majesty sitting attitude, tells the legend. (Listed in the supplementary inventory of historic monuments in 2004)
Nestled on the slopes of Mont Tauch, the chapel with his Pomp virgin fourteenth century Majesty sitting attitude, tells the legend. (Listed in the supplementary inventory of historic monuments in 2004)
At his feet, the village of Tuchan hides its shady streets, singing brooks and tells a rich historical heritage. By Fort Street, which has preserved its medieval character and defensive, you reach the Church of Saint John. This shrine vaulted on intersecting arches, is of Gothic (fourteenth s) and is decorated with a splendid altarpiece of the seventeenth century The bell tower has an elaborate wrought-iron arabesques, Catalan style. Along the "promenade" of trees, the Hotel des Postes included in the supplementary inventory of historic monuments in 1992, is worth discovering for its Art Nouveau style. Many loops walks are offered on foot, by bike or on horseback (proximity to the Cathar Trail) and allow you to discover the Château d'Aguilar and his environment, in their best light.
Castle Terms 
For XI and XII centuries, Terms constitute the chief town of a large manor. In 1061, the Lord is the constituency dominated by the castle: the Termenès. At the option opportunities, the lords of Termes will increase their area, allowing for example to periodic conflicts with Abbey Lagrasse.
When the trigger Albigensian Crusades, the domain extends Arques Aguilar west to east. Raymond of Termes, then one of the most powerful vassals of Trencavel. Involved in the Cathar heresy, he fought the crusade.
When in August 1210, Simon de Montfort Terms decides to submit the "breathtaking" is one of the crucial episodes of the crusade taking place. Advocates will resist nearly four months. But ultimately, it is water scarcity and dysentery because of who besieged: November 23, 1210, they fled ... Raymond of Terms, is imprisoned and his assets are entrusted to cross Alain Roucy.
Temporarily taken during the rout of the Crusaders around 1223, the castle became a royal fortress French in 1228. While the castle has gradually strengthened, habitat adjacent castral was evacuated in 1257. Henceforth, Terms constitute one of the fortresses defending the border, one of the "Five son of Carcassonne. A royal garrison held for four centuries. Olivier de Termes, the son of Raymond, will be illustrated in many battles, either against the king, or, having submitted in 1248, a crusade to Palestine.
Demolition Castle is decided in 1652, seven years before the Treaty of the Pyrenees border away. The site
fate of oblivion when the first safeguards involved in the middle of the twentieth century. It is classified a historical monument in 1989.
Perched in the heart of a rugged and wild, an impressive rocky outcrop, the remains of the castle of Termes, historical monument, gorges Termenet dominate the north and the village to East. is starting from the charming village that you are visiting the site: It must have wandered in these flowery streets, taking advantage of the freshness offered by beautiful rivers, to feel the soul of this remote village, where the pace of life is another ...
Do not miss the village church, it is open to the timetables of the castle.
A traditional shop-houses the reception of the castle. As on partner sites, a "cultural marker" is given. In addition, a "tour guide", complementing illustrated panels set into the castle, you are paid. A questionnaire also allows children to a fun visit. Thus equipped, it accompanied by oaks and scrub smells as you walk to the site and its size increased.
Terms was originally a Castrum, a village with two castral suburbs, capped by a castle. This aristocratic past resurfaces during the climb as a wall very eroded: it was the first speaker of 1210. Highest
, you reach the castle by a ditch which defended the first of two concentric walls forming the royal fortress. The bass cabinet is the best preserved : Some have kept their curtains rise, giving the general profile of Castle Terms, including its postern overlooking the gorge.
The second speaker, more ruins, contains various elements identified by archaeologists, the scattered remains of the destroyed tower, and above the chapel. As you advance, you will find two openings Romance, one of which is cruciform. This window Phillips has become the iconic castle.
, you reach the castle by a ditch which defended the first of two concentric walls forming the royal fortress. The bass cabinet is the best preserved : Some have kept their curtains rise, giving the general profile of Castle Terms, including its postern overlooking the gorge.
The second speaker, more ruins, contains various elements identified by archaeologists, the scattered remains of the destroyed tower, and above the chapel. As you advance, you will find two openings Romance, one of which is cruciform. This window Phillips has become the iconic castle.
Enjoy your visit to admire the village character and the gorges and Termenet Coynepont Gorge, a protected natural site inscribed: loops are round rides. On the road Lagrasse, admire the castle from the road Durfort, and made a stop at the pre-Romanesque church (X century) St. Martin Wells. On the road to Arques, you will pass through gorges Orbieu. ------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
List Web Links
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Association of Cathar Country Sites (whose texts have been extracted for this message)
http: / / www.payscathare.org / index.php
One of the best sites found on Catharism
http://portail.cathares.org/voyage.html
site very nice pictures on the Languedoc-Roussillon
http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Europe/France/South/Languedoc-Roussillon/
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