Château de Montaillou
MONTAILLOU , Ariège – Cultural heritage
About
MONTAILLOU CASTLE
This small village, located on the border between the Ariège and Aude departments at an altitude of 1,300 metres, has a population of just 20 in winter. Yet it is world-famous, mainly for its Cathar past in the 13th and 14th centuries. Château de Montaillou is a former 13th-century fortified castle, the ruins of which were listed as a historic monument by decree on December 21, 1984. The remains of the keep and bailey sit on a mound overlooking the upper Hers valley, on the border between the former county of Foix and the Pays de Sault. On the “castral” plateau overlooking the village are the remains of the castle built by the lords of Aillon, which was remodeled by the Counts of Foix in 1256 after Bernard d’Aillon fell for heresy. The remains of the fortification walls surrounding the keep, and those of an “aristocratic” house unearthed in 2002, are also noteworthy.
Find out more about its history and the archaeological digs that have been carried out at the Centre Historique Jean Duvernoy.
Accueil : Feel free to visit the Centre Jean Duvernoy to complete your visit.
Spoken languages : French
