Complex of French cultural heritage

The Cathare sect appeared in Limousin from the end of the 11th century and prospered in the 12th and early 13th centuries in southern France (Toulouse, Carcassonne, Foix, Béjiers .). From 1208 to 1244, Albigeoise Crusaders continued to organize devastating attacks, causing the Cathare sect to disintegrate gradually.

Compared to history, Cathare existed for a long time, but left a deep impression on the French people, especially in the southern region. Over the past 7 centuries, Cathare has left traces with ancient construction works: Castle, ramparts, towns, cities, villages . These are cultural works in cultural treasures. France: Foix, Narboune, Béjiers, Carcassonne, Roquefixade, Mirepoix, Montségur, Puivert, Montaillou, Usson, Puilaurens, Peyrepertuse, Quiribus, Aguilar, Paden, Durban, Auriac, Arques, Coustaussa, Fanjeaux, Castelnaudary, Suissac, Lastours, Minerve; 24 relics become precious heritage of French cultural tradition. Here are 6 of the 24 Cathare monuments.

1. Foix Castle.

Foix tower stood arrogantly on top of the mountain as a piece of jewelry amidst the rich green of trees and stones. Three spiers protruded and were framed by valances, holes like apricot holes.

The castle appeared at the beginning of the 13th century as a mark of Count Roger Bernard, including two square towers and strongholds. By the 15th century, one built a round tower with fortifications to protect the castle. The tower in the middle has three magnificent rooms, the arched ceiling architecture with arches, is intact.

For a long time, the castle used as storage and prison. Since becoming a museum, Foix castle has two parts: the "Ancient biology - prehistoric - historical history" section, including the huge mammoth skeleton discovered in 1901 in Baulou. The "Traditional Folk Art" division which displays an ostal, the type of house of ancient inhabitants in the Vicdessos valley.

2. Ancient city of Mirepoix

This small city is located at the foot of the Pyrenees, still intact the architectural form of the Middle Ages.

The general context here as a countryside, the center is wooden arches built on magnificent houses of Colombages (wooden houses). The building of the switchboard is also protected intact a statue that looks scared: The statue has a head like a human head just like a demon head.

Saint-Marice Cathedral was built in 1298 and restored in the fourteenth-fifteenth century. This Gothique-style architecture is the largest holy building in Europe.

In the XIII century, people created here many beautiful houses. The lord of the city is Pierre Roger de Mirepoix. In 1289, the Cathare cult was defeated in the war, the city was disastrously destroyed.

3. Castle of Montségur

On the 1207m altitude of the giant rock mass, the castle of Montségur appears mysteriously full of myths. The castle dwells in the mountains and the sky, is strong, seeming like no floating power, creating the grandeur of nature. The castle was originally built by Cathare followers. In 1232, Lord Raymond de Péreille took over, had 500 guards. Currently there are many paleontological traces covering mountains and strongholds.

Time and invaders invaded much, but the castle is still full of its wild and ancient attractions. Since 1958 there has been established here a "Museum of paleontology," two ancient skeletons exhibited which evoke the soreness of Montségur's tragedies.

4. Puilaurens Castle

On the top of the citadel, there are holes in the apricot holes forming the contour of the printed pattern on the splendid green background of the sky. On sunny days, it is clear that the fortress is raised above the background of the vegetation glowing.

Puilaurens is a military base. All bulky cliffs set up on either side of the road leading to the gate to the barracks. The outer ring is a large wall and a circular road encompassing, the second round is giant fortifications. The gate is specially constructed: there is a road underneath, above the gate there are stone and boiling pots for ready to fight. The north walls were taller, with guardrails built with round holes for the guards to point their weapons down.

The defense tower in the Puilaurens valley creates a special scene. In the southwest, the "White Woman" tower used to warn against the winding roads running around the barracks.

In 1243, after the death of Lord Pierre de Fenouillet, the replacement took over the castle, Chabert de Barbaira. He organized an uprising against the onslaught of Albigeoise crusaders. Then, in the mid-17th century, the castle became an important position against the Spanish army.

5. Villerouge village and castle - Termenès

The sturdy square castle is protected by round towers. Villerouge - Termenès also retains the intact doctrine of the Middle Ages.

In the second half of the 13th century, Archbishop Narboune conducted repairs and renovated part of the architecture. At the beginning of the fourteenth century, the Cathare religion faded, a number of curses, trying to revive the prosperous memories of the last century. By 1321, this castle was burnt. That was the last judgment of the Inquisition to Cathare.

6. Castelnaudary small town

This small town had endured many fierce whips of Albigene Crusaders in 1211, its echo still echoed in the giant epic nearly 300 sentences of Guillaume de Tulède: "The song of Albigeoise Crusader army ". Castelnaudary was once a small city built on a high ground that dominated the Fresquel valley. The castle is built on the highest hill and is surrounded by small houses and narrow streets.

In the sixteenth century, Castelnaudary became a court headquarters both civil and military. Part of the building used as a prison.

In the 17th century, one built a large canal, Castelnaudary became a prosperous port, bustling with merchant ships.