This is castle of Peyrepertuse.
Click to view attachment
(Peyrepertuse from the valley)

It belongs to a chain of castles, built as "eagle nests", all along the peaks of Pyrennées, most of them as defence against the kings of spain (as the frontier between france & spain was much northern than now before 1659 and the Pyrennées treaty).
They are mistakely called "catharian castles" as they are on the lands where the cathar heresy did rise. Most of them are much older though, and had no part in the history of the catharism (but Montsegur). Most of them happened to be royal fortresses guarding the frontier with spain.
Click to view attachment
(Low castle from Stairs Saint Louis)

Peyrepertuse probably is the most impressive of them all.

Though the site is know to have been occupied since the first century BC, the actual castle was probably started over the eighth or ninth century. First mention appears in texts from 1070. It then belongs to a vassal of the counts of Barcelona.
In 1224, William of Peyrepertuse submits to the army of the crusade against cathars after the siege of Carcassone. The castle thus passing to french forces without being assieged itself.
It also is named to have sheltered rebellious protestants around 1542.
After the Traité des Pyrennées, the French-Spanish frontier is settled much more south (more or less where it is now), the castle losing any strategic interest is kept unchanged with a small garnison until its definite abandon, during the first years of the republic.
Click to view attachment

The castle stands on a crest, 2400 feet above the plains.
It includes three parts.
Click to view attachment

The lowest part and the old dungeon is triangular and probably consist in the original tenth century castle. It includes a roman church (St Mary), a 2 room home and 2 tanks (one in the church, second in the home).
The middle part occupies a complete plateau, and most of its buildings are ruined.
A stair, ordered by king Louis IX, and thus named Stair Saint Louis, leads to the high Dungeon, governor's home, and a newer church dedicated to St Georges.
Click to view attachment
(low castle from Church St Georges)

More info @ http://www.chateau-peyrepertuse.com/histoi...yrepertuse.aspx (in french)

and about all cathar castles
http://www.esperazabedandbreakfast.com/aude.html ( in english !!)

Beautiful!

Absolutely magnificent!!

Eagles nest is right, I wouldn't fancy walking those parapets at night.

Magnificent tactical defense position also! I bet she was a sight to behold in her hay-day...




Welcome to the group too! Took a week sabatical to finish up needed projects, and noticed you were a new face in the crowd! Seems to me you are a great addition to the CD Forums! Always glad to see new faces in with the old ones.

actually, i just came round them all, and figured out this one was really my favourite one !