It is a small town located in the French department of Aude, made up of stone houses arranged in narrow streets at the foot of the majestic castle, from where one of the last episodes of the fight against the Cathars took place. In the mid-13th century, Montsegur was an important refuge and defense for the Cathar church. In May 1243 the siege of the castle began. The French troops, about ten thousand men, arrived at Montsegur and surrounded the entire mountain to prevent the entry and exit of food, water and people. Months passed until, in March 1244, faced with the unbearable situation of the besieged, the decision was made to surrender. On March 16th, the departure from the castle began, first the women and children, then the nobles and finally the knights and soldiers. At the foot of the mountain, in a meadow that has since been known as the “Meadow of the Burned”, believers who did not want to renounce their faith were burned in a large bonfire.  Nowadays Montsegur continues to be much more than a castle, always halfway between history and legend.

The current castle, built shortly before or shortly after 1300 by the victors, presents the sign that guides the pilgrim towards the place of the precious region, towards the last peak that gives meaning to all research in Cathar land.

Price to climb the Castle: 5€