Need advice to approach cathar castles. Will do some winding routes, but not really bad ones. Whcih routes? Which castles? On;ly have 3 days, boo hoo. Thank you all.
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
Since none of them are really Cathar castles (the Cathars had neither the knowledge nor the crowds required to build a castle, plus the chronology is a bit off), it's difficult to answer your question. Some of the castles you can almost drive to, to get to others you have to hike a few miles up some rather steep hills. Make of list of what it is that you want to see and maybe we can help you make some picks.
Posted by
S.F. Bay Area, CA, United States
1878 posts
Peyreptuse and Queribus are both very much worth visiting. Peyreptuse requires a bit of a hike from the parking lot, but nothing too hard. Maybe fifteen or twenty minutes. I do not recall a lot of options about how to get to the castles. I did not find the driving to be too extreme at all.
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
Ed is right of course, but I think the fortresses that VS describes are probably the sorts that Justine seeks. I had no problem driving these roads. On the other hand my wife, as passenger, was slightly terrified. What I recall are some steep drop-offs, but not twists and turns or roads too narrow for traffic. I think it's worth the trouble, but can't say what's tolerable for you. If you go, see it on the way to the coast. There is also Las Tours, right near Carcassonne, but it lacks the dramatic setting.