Visit to the Castles of Termes and Arques
A morning visiting one of the later named "sons of Carcassonne" besieged by Simon de Montfort in 1210. A Cathar stronghold held by Raymond de Termes, it was one of the earliest castles taken in the Albigensian Crusade - the only Crusade within Christendom. Defeat came only with drought, a seemingly welcome deluge and finally dysentery and betrayal.
The visitor centre at the foot of the Castle provides an insight into both the courage and horror of these events.
On reaching the castle, you can see the savage cliff face that marked the "terminal" of this beautiful region - a view barely touched by the modern world.
For lunch you relax at a stunning plein air restaurant in the heart of the village with the music of the stream and breeze accompanying the freshest local food and wine from the region. You have ascended and descended - enjoy the rewards!
In the afternoon a visit to Arques in the foothills of the Pyrenees. The castle, in spite of being constructed after the Albigensian Crusade, offers vivid insights into the life of people from the cool lower rooms to the breathtaking, windswept view from the castle's upper quarters.
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