Cathar Country Tour
The Cathars, the Knights Templar, Rennes-le-Chatêau, The Saunière Mystery,
The Da Vinci Code, The Magdalene & Mysteries of the Cathar Country
On this epic adventure we will be visiting the Cathar Country; lands steeped in mystery and legend stretching back beyond Old Testament times. The Cathar Country is in the Languedoc, nestling in the foothills of the Pyrénées in the South of France. It boasts a rich, diverse and fascinating history all set within some of the most beautiful and spectacular countryside anywhere. These lands known now as the Cathar Country were the home to the mighty Visigoths, the mysterious Merovingian kings, the Knights Templar and the mystical Cathars themselves who suffered most cruelly and bravely for their beliefs. More recently they were the home of François Bérenger Saunière, the priest of the tiny hilltop hamlet of Rennes-le-Chatêau, who’s intriguing story inspired a BBC documentary series, the world best seller ‘Holy Blood, Holy Grail’ and the international block-buster novel and Hollywood movie, ‘The Da Vinci Code’. This tiny hill top hamlet of Rennes-le-Chatêau has truly become World famous.
We will head for the Languedoc and Aude Valley and back to the time of the Knights Templar and the Cathars. In the lands of the Cathar ‘Heretics’ we will explore a variety of aspects of some of Europe’s most intriguing history. We will visit Cathar and Knights Templar castles perched high upon mountain peaks, including the amazing Chatêau Montségur, the site of the final tragic massacre where the Cathars marched singing into the flames of their enemies. For the second half of your time in the Cathar Country you will be immersed in the fascinating story of the priest Bérenger Saunière and the Rennes-le-Chatêau mystery.
Proposed Itinerary
Day 1. Meet in Carcassonne
On your arrival in the Cathar Country Neil will meet you at Carcassonne airport or Rail Station and take you to our hotel next to the Porte Narbonnaise, the magnificent entrance to the Medieval Cite of Carcassonne, our home for the next 8 days. Our stay will be on a bed and breakfast basis, so you will be free to explore the city and take in the fine selection of restaurants and bars at your leisure.
Day 2. Chateaux de Lastours & Minerve
Today we begin our exploration into the story of the gnostic, mystical sect known as the Cathars. We will look at who they were, what they believed and the terrible events that led to their destruction.
Due to its strategic position in the landscape, that made the position of siege machines difficult, the triple castle mountain top stronghold of Chateau of Lastours proved to be a safe retreat, for a while, for the Cathars fleeing the armies of Simon de Montfort. A visit to the spectacular Chateau of Lastours is a fascinating introduction to this subject, whether you decide to climb upto the chateaus or to take in the breathtaking scene from a panoramic view point.
In the afternoon we will visit the remote and equally picturesque village of Minerve, that also acted as a Cathar refuge until it was pounded by a Mangonel Catapult, with the ironic name of ‘le mauvais voisin’, ‘The Bad Neighbour’.
Mirepoix and Minerve
DAY 3. MONTSEGUR & MIREPOIX
The spectacular Castle of Montségur sitting high up on a mountain peak was the place where the Cathars faced their infamous last stand. We will have the opportunity to climb up to the castle, take in the awe-inspiring atmosphere and visit the ‘Cathar memorial’ to this tragic day.
We will also pay a visit to the picturesque Medieval Cathar towns of Mirepoix with its unique painted buildings, a place you won’t forget.
Day 4. Free Day in Le Cité Carcassonne
You will have a full day to explore the spectacular walled Medieval Cité of Carcassonne. Visiting the city is to soak yourself in a history that you will feel as a real palpable experience. These days Carcassonne is a blend of the historic and the modern with a large assortment of restaurants, museums and tourist shops sitting amongst the narrow streets and picturesque squares, sitting within the ancient city walls.
Of particular note are the Cathedral of St Michael and the Château Comtal, once the home of the Count Raymond Roger Trencavel, the popular leaded who was replaced by the tyrant, Simon de Montfort during the Crusade of the Cathars.
Day 5. Château de Villerouge-Termenès, Guilhem Bélibaste & Alet-les-Bains
After the massacre at Montsegur one Cathar Perfect famously remained and that was Guilhem Bélibaste, who lived at the Chateau Villerouge-Termenès until he was burnt alive there on 24th August 1321, on the orders of the Inquisitor, Jacques Fournier, who became Pope Benedict XII in 1334.
We will also visit the peaceful and serene medieval walled town of Alet-les-Bains, famous for its thermal springs and as an historic religious centre. Crossing the river Aude by the old ricketry stone bridge and seeing the towns many wooden framed buildings you feel the centuries fade away and you are back in the times of the Medieval alchemists and cabbalists that once lived here. The house of Nostradamus is to be found in the main square.
Day 6. Father Sauniere & the Mystery of Rennes les Chateau
Today we will look at the amazing mystery that surrounds the now infamous Berenger Saunière as we head for the hilltop hamlet of Rennes le Chatêau, the centre of the Da Vinci Code story; the Holy Bloodline, the Magdalene and some intriguing sacred geometry. We will begin with a discussion of the background of the Saunière mystery, in the out-door cafe overlooking the Rennes le Chatêau church and then have plenty of time to look around this church dedicated to Mary Magdalene and the ‘Saunière Domain Museum’. On the way we will have a drive up to Montazels, to see Saunière’s birthplace.
DAY 7. WE WILL look further into the Mystery
Today we will visit the town of Rennes-les-Bains, where the churchyard holds a couple of interesting secrets left there by the Abbe Henri Budet, a friend and fellow conspirator of Saunirer. We will also climb up to the small town of Coustaussa where Father Gélis, another friend of Saunière’s, met he’s death in extremely unusual circumstances.
Day 8. Return to Carcassonne
To bring your exploration to a close Neil will transfer you to Carcassonne airport or train station for your journey home with your memories of this most beautiful and mystical of places
8 Day Tour Price £1600
Single Supplement £100
Deposit £400
Includes – All transport and site visits from pick-up at Carcassonne airport/rail station, Bed & Breakfast & many site entrance fees
Does not include – air fares and insurance (please make arrangement for private travel insurance cover).
Please note, all deposit and balance payments are non-refundable unless the tour is cancelled by Neil.