Cathar Castles

The Arques Castle retains a tall donjon building complete with four round corner towers. It's in the heart of the Cathar region but built at the end of the Cathar period of 1209-1229, construction being finally completed in 1316.
Location: 6 km east of Couiza; 18 km northeast of Quillan; 20 km southeast of Limoux.
[Cathars Region Map South]

The Cité de Carcassonne has been fortified since Gallo-Roman times. In the 12th century the inhabitants were sided with the Cathars. On 1 August, 1209, the Albigensian Crusade arrived at Carcassonne and began their seige. On 15 August, the city surrendered, and the people departed, "carrying nothing but their sins".
Location: 50 km west of Narbonne.

Lastours Castles are a tight group of four defensive structures clustered on rocky ridges of the Cabardès hills north of Carcassonne, built as a novel variant of a single larger castle. They were built in the 11th century, at the peak of the Cathar (and antil-Cathar Albigensian) period.
Location: 15 km north of Carcassonne.
[Cathars Region Map North]

Picturesque fortified village, ruins of chateau, museum.
Location: 25 km northwest of Narbonne.
[Minerve Map]

A couple of watch-towers in the hilltop village, which has the Ste-Madeleine church and the ancient mystery of the treasure of Abbey Berenger Saniere>
Location: 3 km SE of Couiza; 9 km NE of Quillan.
[Rennes-le-Chateau Map]

Castle ruins and walls on hilltop, outside village; dirt-road access.
Location: 21 km SW of Lagrasse; Termes village is 14 km west of Villerouge-Termenès castle and village
[Villerouge-Termenès Map]

Intact visitable castle in the village.
Location: 14 km south of Lagrasse; in Villerouge-Termenè village; Villerouge-Termenès 14 km east of Termes Castle.
[Villerouge-Termenès Map]