Today is special. We are going to visit reputably the most beautiful of the Cathar castle sites and the most tragic. The massacre here marked the end of all hope for the Cathars.
In the evening we are invited to a medieval style banquet at Chateau de St Ferriol.
Montsegur was as spectacular as I had expected.
We once again had a climb up to the castle with a few things to be looked out for on the way including memorials to the 225 or so people who were burned alive rather than renounce their faith.
I particularly loved what I have called the stairway to heaven.
This was the first day that the weather had not been perfect. It was not really cold but I was glad to have my waterproof. The castle was shrouded in mist which made Montsegur and its surroundings even more atmospheric.
Back in the village, the museum was very interesting. They had some examples of medieval weaponry, a model reconstructing how the village would have been in 1240 and even some Cathar skeletons.
We then walked to the restaurant at Montsegur, making such good time that the restaurant had not yet opened for lunch and in good old French style there was to be no opening any earlier. Fortunately we were only a little early - and had to wait less than 30 seconds, until the church bell rang noon!
In the restaurant I noticed a curious statue of a black Madonna and a small black Christ. James said that we might learn more of the stories of the Mary Magdelen tomorrow at Rennes le Chateau.
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Again the day did not feel rushed. We even had time for an unscheduled visit to Campagne - a templar village dating from the Cathar period.
But the day was not over and from Montsegur we bundled back in to the Mercedes Vito and headed to the Chateau St Ferriol for the Conference and the Medieval Banquet.
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