_____Cathar Country tour by FRANCE A LA CARTE

5 days / 4 nights

The Cathar 'religion' was more a sect and distant branch of Christianity based on the principles of a Good God and a Bad God. All immaterial things are the work of the Good god and material things that of the Devil. By the XIIIth century Catharisme was practiced over a wide area of the Languedoc prompting the established Catholic church to bring these 'heretics' to reason – by force. This was the 'Albigensian Crusade' launched by the Church and the French King (who had political interests in the region) against the last incorrigible fanatics who had taken refuge in a number of castles and fortresses perched in inaccessible locations on cliff-sides and mountain-tops in the Montagne Noir, Corbières and Ariège, determined to brave the King's army and the Inquisition to the death.

Day 1 : Toulouse
Arrival at Toulouse – settle into hotel.
Toulouse, political capital of a powerful regional Count, active commercial and devotional centre and an important halt on the Pilgrim's Way to Santiago de Compostella: the city provided a favourable backdrop to an explosion of art and culture in the XI and XIIth centuries.
This prestigious past has left an indelible mark on Toulouse's city-centre architecture: the Saint Sernin Basilica, the largest romanesque church in Europe, the Saint Etienne Cathedral, the Church and Cloisters of the Jacobins, the most complete monastery in France, the Capitole with its façade of stone and brick and marvellous Salle des Illustres and square of the same name, recently renovated. Then there's the musée des Augustins and its remarkable collection of romanesque sculptures as well as a number of beautiful renaissance town-houses built during Toulouse's 'golden age' with wealth from the blue dye (pastel or woad) made in the region, of which the Hôtel d'Assézat stands out as host to the Bemberg collection which includes more than 30 paintings by Bonnat.
Overnight in 3* hotel.

Day 2 : Toulouse / Foix / Montségur / Couiza 240 km

After breakfast departure for Foix and a visit to its château, seat of the last count of Foix, Gaston Phébus. Built on the site of VII and VIIIth century fortifications in 1034, the castle became the stronghold of the Count of Foix and played a significant rôle in Mediaeval military history. Over the following two centuries the castle played host to a number of heroic resistants of the Albigensian Crusade and gave refuge to many persecuted cathars. Although frequently beseiged, notable by Simon de Montfort (in 1211 and 1212), the fortress resisted every attack.

Monsegur

Onward to Montségur. (Optional brisk climb up to castle). Montségur : Seat and capital of the Cathar church. The famous seige of the citadel in 1244 lasted over 11 months before the 600 Cathars and soldiers within capitulated. 230 Cathars, unwilling to deny their faith, were burnt at the stake.
Lunch suggestion: village auberge in Montségur.
Departure for the mediaeval Bastide of Mirepoix to visit its superb Grand Place with fine half-timbered arcades and houses. Particularly fine sculpted wood facades dating from 1501 are to be found on the Maison de Justice and the Maison des Consuls: coiffured gentlewomen, bearded faces and tortoises.
The tour continues to Carcassonne, stopping en route for wine-tasting at Limoux, home to a champagne-method sparkling white.
Overnight at a 3* château-hotel in Couiza.

Description: At the heart of the Cathar country this magnificent fortified castle on grounds giving on to the River Aude is now a comfortable hotel. Although listed as ancient monument it manages to combine its historic and noble past with 21st century modernity.
Rooms : 21 rooms with shower or bath – view on to courtyard and river.
Restaurant : Gourmet restaurant where the chef knows how to marry local produce with local wines in a real French tradition
Pool: in summer

Nearby: the village of Rennes-le-Chateau, a renowned 'Da Vinci Code' destination!

Day3: Carcassonne/Lastours/Minerve/Couiza

Breakfast and departure for the Mediaeval Citadel – la Cité de Carcassonne – which is visited on foot. Entrance to the château Comtal in the heart of the citadel.
Carcassonne was classed as a UNESCO World heritage site in 1997. Originally an Iron age oppidum the site was used in the 1st century for a Roman villa before re-appearing in the XIth century as a fortification belonging to the powerful Viscount Trencavel . During the Albigensian crusade new battlements were added as it became an emblem of Royal power.

Next stop the four towers of Lastours 16 kms north of Carcassonne: an archeological complex comprising mediaeval castles, a working archeological site and a museum/visitor centre explaining the strategic, religious and historical importance of the site.

Lunch at a restaurant

The afternoon is devoted to exploring Minerve in the Minervois wine region. Just 45 minutes away this extraordinary village perched on a limestone pedestal and surrounded by deep gorges in the
Languedociengarrigue is classed as one of the 'Most Beautiful Villages
of France'. But even its inaccessible location was not enough to spare its inhabitants from the wrath of the Albigensian crusade: in 1210 Simon de Montfort put its Cathar faithful to the sword.
Return to Couiza through the Minervois vineyards.
Overnight in Couiza

Day 4: Quéribus / Peyrepertuse / Couiza
After breakfast departure for Quéribus : the castle, built on an impressive rocky outcrop (728 m), was the scene of the last known resitance against the Albigensian crusade (1255).
On by way of the spectacular Gorges de Galamus, two kilometres in length, to the castle of Peyrepertuse.
Restaurant lunch.
Peyrepertuse: the fortress cuts an imposing figure the length of a rocky crag in the wildest part of the Corbières. After the failure of his seige of Carcassonne, Guillaume de Peyrepertuse finally surrendered to the King of France in 1240. Two years later the king, Saint Louis, ordered a staircase to be built in his name. The Keep of Sant-Jordi was constructed in 1255 and the old dungeon rebuilt along with the chuch of Saint Marie – all visible today.
Return to the château-hôtel for overnight.

Day 5: Couiza / Airport
Departure for airport/onward travel after breakfast.

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