2011 Tours

Cathars and the Albigensian crusade in Medieval Languedoc

Led by Dr. Pamela Marshall

3rd - 10th October 2010 (from Stansted or Liverpool)

The challenging topography of mountains and forest that characterise the region of South-western France known as the Languedoc must have played an important part in forming its very specific regional character in the Middle Ages. Everything, from land husbandry to the independent attitude of its nobility towards the French crown, even the spoken word (the langue d’oc dialect that gave rise to the region’s name) seemed slightly at odds with the rest of France. Strong local traditions of food, poetry and music contributed to its individual cultural character, but what brought it to the attention of the established Church was an unorthodox and widely-practiced religion. The Cathar faith (or Albigensianism, as it also came to be known owing to its strength in the region around the city of Albi), was a form of Christianity but with a set of beliefs and practices regarded as anathema to the authorities and guardians of Roman Catholicism. The 13th century was to see a crusade against the Cathars that was no less brutal than those carried out against the infidel in the East.

Based in Carcassonne, at a time of year when one expects blue skies and warm days without the searing heat of summer, this tour explores the beliefs and lives of the Cathars by visiting key sites associated with them, their enemies and their downfall. As Cathar castle sites are notoriously tough to reach, accessibility has been fundamental in working out the itinerary.  Oneor two sites do call for a sustained uphill walk, but there will always be an alternative to doing this and there are plenty of stunning sites on the itinerary that are easily accessible (see * rating).

The tour will be based in Hotel des Trois Couronnes, Carcassonne. Set at the edge of the Bastide St. Louis, a ‘New Town’ founded c.1250 on the opposite bank of the River Aude from the ancient walled city, the hotel’s restaurant and several of its bedrooms have splendid, uninterrupted panoramic views of the medieval city (as left).

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A full itinerary includes:

Day 1: Stansted departure on 3rd October - 10.10 arrives Carcassonne 13.05
Liverpool departure on 3rd October - 12.10 arrives Carcassonne 15.10

16.00: guided walk around the Bastide St. Louis *(13thC)

The countryside that we shall travel through throughout this itinerary is extremely beautiful and many of the sites are set in spectacular surroundings.

Day 2: Superb castles at Arques*, which fell to the crusaders in 1217, and Villerouge- Termenes*. This village remained linked with Catharism to the end; the last recorded Cathar ‘perfect’ or ‘good man’ was burned here in 1321. On to the fortified town of Lagrasse and its Abbey *

Day 3: Bastide of Montségur*, famed for the last stand of over 100 Cathars, who held out in the castle for 10 months in 1243-44. The Museum* holds remarkable finds from excavations within the castle. “Field of the martyrs”*, where over 220 Cathars were burned for their beliefs; climb to the formidable Castle *** (optional). On to the Castle at Puivert**; nicknamed ‘château of the troubadours’, the vault corbels of its remarkable great tower depict musicians

Day 4: Walking tour of Walled city of Carcassonne: although it has become a bit of a cliché, Carcassonne is nevertheless a truly interesting place. The walls have substantial visible fabric from the Roman period and chart the medieval development of the city right through to the 19thC restorations of Viollet le Duc, themselves a talking point. Castle of the Trencavel Counts & its Museum*; Gothic Cathedral of Saint- Nazaire*; some free time.

Day 5: Château of Queribus**; a powerful polygonal tower and enceinte set on a rocky outcrop, this was the last stronghold to succumb to the crusaders in 1255; associated bastide of Cucugnan*. The truly stunning Château of Peyrepertuse**, a remarkable cluster of domestic and military buildings will end the day.

Day 6: Fortified town of Saissac and its Château*, then on to view the four castled peaks of Lastours from a vantage point across the valley*. Visit to the Benedictine Abbey in the Fortified town of Caunes-Minervois *. On to the small town of Minerve*; defended by a spectacular natural canyon as well as its walls, it was besieged by Simon de Montfort in 1210. After 7 weeks of bombardment from Montfort’s war engines the town’s surrender was followed by a massacre. 

Day 7: Visit to the well-preserved bastide of Mirepoix* and the hill-top fortified town of Fanjeaux*

Day 8:Return 10th October - departs Carcassonne 13.30 arrives Stansted 14.25
Return 10th October - departs Carcassonne 15.35 arrives Liverpool 16.40

Site difficulty ratings: * Normal accessibility   ** More taxing    *** Requires sustained effort & fitness.

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Cost:

£1,420pp sharing a room (Single supplement £165; panoramic view of the medieval walled city of Carcassonne £35pp supplement)
Reduction of £25pp for each booking received by Jan 31st 2010

The price includes: Air transport to France; en-suite accommodation with breakfast and 3-course dinner (wine and coffee included); air-conditioned transport in France; entrance fees, tuition and gratuities.