Peter II of Aragon was keen to annex Languedoc, and Philippe II of France joined forces with the pope to crush the Cathar heretics in a crusade led by Simon de Montfort in 1209. This heralded the start of over a century of ruthless killing and torture.
Diane & Richard on ancient ground.
The Cathars took refuge in the defensive castles of the Corbières and Ariège. We visited Duilhac sous Peyrepertuse which is one of the most remote, difficult to reach even today: a long, narrow stone citadel hacked from a high, craggy peak over 2,000 feet high.
Quéribus (next two photos) was one of the last Cathar strongholds. We only got to zoom in on it with our cameras since it had started to rain and the hike was long and difficult. The tower is where they lowered themselves to escape, and one of those escapees was a woman.
Dinner was at a wonderful local restaurant with a Swiss flavour.
Raclette for me, and
Raclette for me, and
gambas for Diane.
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