This area of southern France was once home to a religious movement called Catharism; it took hold in the liberal and tolerant Languedoc during the 12th century. By the 13th century, it was a flourishing religious force in the region, counting nobles and commoners alike among its members.
The Catholic Church and royal powers of northern France saw the Cathars as a potent threat to the political and religious stability of a developing France and Europe. Historians maintain that the suppression of the Cathars dramatically and irrevocably changed the course of French history and definitively shaped the country we know today as France.
During a Cathar Country Tour, we visit some of the cities, villages, and mountaintop castle sites that figured in this important moment of Western European history. Visits may include but are not limited to: Carcassonne, Albi, Fontfroide Abbey, Béziers, Mirepoix, Minerve, Montségur, and Rennes-le-Château. This last site is sometimes included in the tour, not for any documented historical facts linking it to the Cathars, but rather for the speculation that a supposed Cathar treasure was discovered there towards the end of the 19th century.
We also visit Limoux during this tour for a dégustation of its famous sparkling wines pre-dating champagne.
–Limited to 2-6 participants per tour
–Transportation by private car or small van
–Cathar Country Tours available in the spring and early fall only
CATHAR COUNTRY TOURS INCLUDE:
- One week tour, generally Sunday – Saturday.
- Bilingual guide service (English/French).
- Accommodations in gîtes (cottages) or small privately owned hotels.
- All breakfasts.
- 4 Dinners.
- All entrance fees to sites visited.
- Transportation from our lodgings to and from all sites visited.
- Transportation to our accommodations at the start of the tour from the local airport or train station (usually Montpellier or Carcassonne).
- Transportation from our accommodations at the end of the tour to the local airport or train station (usually Montpellier or Carcassonne).
- Airfare is not included.
DEPOSIT REQUIRED: $500 ($250 non refundable).
Please feel free to contact me with any questions.
