Carcassonne & Mighty Montségur Shrouded in mystery and often subjected to brutal persecution, the Cathars were Christians whose beliefs challenged the Catholic establishment. Emerging during the 10th century, Catharism flourished for over 400 years and spread throughout Europe before finally being extinguished. We begin our journey at the impressive medieval city of Carcassonne, a former bastion of Catharism. We then travel into the Pyrenean foothills reaching Montségur - perhaps the best known of all the Cathar strongholds. From the castle perched high on a craggy outcrop we look down on the tiny village of Montségur, its houses curiously lined in long straight rows; and to the east the rolling hills of Ayiège stretch to the horizon - our walking route over the next six days.
Gorges de la Frau & Puivert Our itinerary takes us through forests to the awesome Gorges de la Frau (meaning 'Gorges of Fear'), whose sheer walls provide an eerie echo to crickets and nesting birds. Then to Château de Puivert, whose sombre yet beautiful architecture reflects the ascetic ideals of the Cathars - to whom the spiritual world was infinitely more important than the physical.
Corbières & Château de Peyrepertuse Walking via the attractive market towns of Rennes le Château and Rennes les Bains (a spa town), we overnight in idyllic Corbières villages such as Granes and Sougraigne, then continue through the Gorges de Galamus to Peyrepertuse - a formidable castle stretching 300m along the crest of high cliffs. Finally we visit Quéribus, probably the best preserved of the Cathar castles, perched dizzyingly on a needle of rock.
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Bus/On foot.
Tour Leader plus luggage transfers.
Approx. 12 to 16.
This short, accommodated walking trip is graded moderate. Walking between the Cathar castles which abound in this unspoilt corner of France, we stay in gîtes, small hotels, an auberge and a bergerie (shepherd's hut). A support vehicle enables us to walk unencumbered. Bring a sleeping bag for the gite & bergerie accommodation.
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Adventure Holidays Walking Holidays Guided Trekking Holidays
Small Group
France
8 days
Carcassonne
Toulouse
7nts hotel/gîte/ auberge/bergerie staying in basic accommodation other than Carcassonne and Sougraigne where we are staying in standard hotels; family run accommodation often in traditional surroundings; 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches & 6 dinners included.
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Moderate
FC