Page 322 - Lonely Planet France’s Best Trips (Travel Guide)

TRIP HIGHLIGHT
The Cathar
29 Trail 1 Carcassonne
Jutting from a rocky spur
of land, and ringed by
battlements and turrets,
the fortress of Carcas-
The parched land between Perpignan and the sonne was one of the
Pyrenees is known as Le Pays Cathare (Cathar Cathars’ most important
strongholds. After a
Land), a reference to the Christian order that notorious siege in August
escaped persecution here during the 12th 1209, the castle crumbled
into disrepair, but was
century. Its legacy remains in a string of hilltop saved from destruc-
castles, flanked by sheer cliffs and dusty tion in the 19th century
by Viollet- le-Duc, who
scrubland. Most can be reached after a short, rebuilt the ramparts and
stiff climb, but this is wild country and fiercely added the turrets’ dis-
tinctive pointy roofs.
hot in summer, so be sure to pack a hat.

‚ / ·
140 km to A61 Alzonne Orbiel
Saverdun Canal du Midi # \
# \ F G
30
# #
\ # 1
Carcassonne l L
Fanjeaux
# \
0 ¸ Preixan \ # Aude
D623
# Pamiers # Villefloure
\
\
Mirepoix Lauraguel # \
\ #
# Greffeil
\
Saint-
# Félix-de- # \ Limoux
\
Rieutord ARIÈGE 0 ¸
D625
# Saint- Binoít
\
0 ¸ Vernajoul Laroque- # Chalabre # \ Alet-les- LANGUEDOC-
# m K
D117
\
#
Bains
d'Olmes
\
Foix # \ # Château de / · ROUSSILLON
D18
8
\ # Roquefixade Puivert # Couiza
Soula # \ # # \ \
#
6
D117
F G Bélesta \ # 0 ¸ Esperaza
31
# # Quillan Bugarach
# 7
#
\
\
Château de # \ Montségur
Tarascon- # Belvianes- et-Cavirac
# \ Montségur \
sur-Ariège
# \ \ #
\ # Espezel St-Martin-Lys Lapradelle
Niaux \ # # \ 0 ¸
D117
# \ Axat #
5
Camurac 0 ¸ #
Ariège
# Luzenac D118 Château de
\
Puilaurens
# \
# e 0 0 10 miles 20 km Sournia