Search｜Photos & Images & Videos｜KYODO NEWS IMAGES INC

Illustration - Cathar Castles

FRANCE. AUDE (11) CUCUGNAN.THE CASTLE OF QUERIBUS. RISING TO OVER 700 METRES ABOVE SEA LEVEL ON THE SOUTHERN CREST OF THE CORBIERES, THE CASTLE OF QUERIBUS IS THE BEST-PRESERVED OF THE CATHAR FORTRESSES. Photo by Paul Palau/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

E

Illustration - Cathar Castles

FRANCE. AUDE (11) QUERIBUS CATHAR CASTLE UNDER SNOW Photo by Paul Palau/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

E

Illustration - Cathar Castles

FRANCE. AUDE (11) CUCUGNAN.THE CASTLE OF QUERIBUS. RISING TO OVER 700 METRES ABOVE SEA LEVEL ON THE SOUTHERN CREST OF THE CORBIERES, THE CASTLE OF QUERIBUS IS THE BEST-PRESERVED OF THE CATHAR FORTRESSES. Photo by Paul Palau/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

E

Illustration - Cathar Castles

FRANCE. AUDE (11) CUCUGNAN. ON THE SLOPES OF THE CATHAR CASTLE OF QUERIBUS Photo by Paul Palau/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

E

Illustration - Cathar Castles

FRANCE. AUDE (11) CUCUGNAN.THE CASTLE OF QUERIBUS. RISING TO OVER 700 METRES ABOVE SEA LEVEL ON THE SOUTHERN CREST OF THE CORBIERES, THE CASTLE OF QUERIBUS IS THE BEST-PRESERVED OF THE CATHAR FORTRESSES. Photo by Paul Palau/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

E

Illustration - Cathar Castles

FRANCE. AUDE (11) CORBIERES. QUERIBUS CASTLE IN THE MIST AND, IN THE BACKGROUND, THE PYRENEES MOUNTAIN RANGE. Photo by Paul Palau/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

E

Illustration - Cathar Castles

FRANCE. AUDE (11) CUCUGNAN.THE CASTLE OF QUERIBUS. RISING TO OVER 700 METRES ABOVE SEA LEVEL ON THE SOUTHERN CREST OF THE CORBIERES, THE CASTLE OF QUERIBUS IS THE BEST-PRESERVED OF THE CATHAR FORTRESSES. Photo by Paul Palau/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

E

Illustration - Cathar Castles

FRANCE. AUDE (11) QUERIBUS CATHAR CASTLE Photo by Paul Palau/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

E

Illustration - Cathar Castles

FRANCE. AUDE (11) CUCUGNAN.THE CASTLE OF QUERIBUS. RISING TO OVER 700 METRES ABOVE SEA LEVEL ON THE SOUTHERN CREST OF THE CORBIERES, THE CASTLE OF QUERIBUS IS THE BEST-PRESERVED OF THE CATHAR FORTRESSES. Photo by Paul Palau/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

E

Illustration - Cathar Castles

FRANCE. AUDE (11) CUCUGNAN.THE CASTLE OF QUERIBUS. RISING TO OVER 700 METRES ABOVE SEA LEVEL ON THE SOUTHERN CREST OF THE CORBIERES, THE CASTLE OF QUERIBUS IS THE BEST-PRESERVED OF THE CATHAR FORTRESSES. Photo by Paul Palau/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

E

Illustration - Cathar Castles

FRANCE. AUDE (11) CATHAR CASTLE OF QUERIBUS UNDER THE SNOW Photo by Paul Palau/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

E

Illustration - Cathar Castles

FRANCE. AUDE (11) CUCUGNAN.THE CASTLE OF QUERIBUS. RISING TO OVER 700 METRES ABOVE SEA LEVEL ON THE SOUTHERN CREST OF THE CORBIERES, THE CASTLE OF QUERIBUS IS THE BEST-PRESERVED OF THE CATHAR FORTRESSES. Photo by Paul Palau/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

E

Illustration - Cathar Castles

Photo by Paul Palau/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

E

Illustration - Cathar Castles

FRANCE. AUDE (11) THE CATHAR CASTLE OF QUERIBUS UNDER THE SNOW Photo by Paul Palau/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

E

Illustration - Cathar Castles

FRANCE. AUDE (11) CUCUGNAN.THE CASTLE OF QUERIBUS. RISING TO OVER 700 METRES ABOVE SEA LEVEL ON THE SOUTHERN CREST OF THE CORBIERES, THE CASTLE OF QUERIBUS IS THE BEST-PRESERVED OF THE CATHAR FORTRESSES. Photo by Paul Palau/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

E

Illustration - Cathar Castles

FRANCE. AUDE (11) QUERIBUS CATHAR CASTLE UNDER SNOW Photo by Paul Palau/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

E

Illustration - Cathar Castles

FRANCE. AUDE (11) CATHAR CASTLE OF QUERIBUS IN THE SNOW Photo by Paul Palau/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

E

Illustration - Cathar Castles

FRANCE. AUDE (11) QUERIBUS CATHAR CASTLE UNDER SNOW Photo by Paul Palau/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

E

Illustration - Cathar Castles

FRANCE. AUDE (11) CATHAR CASTLE OF QUERIBUS IN THE SNOW Photo by Paul Palau/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

E

Illustration - Cathar Castles

FRANCE. AUDE (11) QUERIBUS CATHAR CASTLE UNDER SNOW Photo by Paul Palau/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

E

Illustration - Pays Cathare

FRANCE. AUDE (11) IN THE HEART OF CATHAR COUNTRY LIES THE CLOISTER OF THE CISTERCIAN ABBEY OF SAINTE-MARIE DE FONTFROIDE. IT IS ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL ABBEYS IN FRANCE. A CITADEL OF ORTHODOXY FOUNDED IN 1093, IT DEFENDED THE CATHOLIC FAITH AGAINST THE CATHAR HERETICS. AFTER THE MONKS LEFT IN 1901, WEALTHY MERCHANT COLLECTORS GUSTAVE AND MADELEINE FAYET TOOK OVER THE ABBEY, DECORATING AND EMBELLISHING IT. Photo by Stephane Compoint/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

E

Illustration - Pays Cathare

FRANCE. AUDE (11) IN THE HEART OF CATHAR COUNTRY, THE CISTERCIAN ABBEY OF SAINTE-MARIE DE FONTFROIDE IS ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL ABBEYS IN FRANCE. A CITADEL OF ORTHODOXY FOUNDED IN 1093, IT DEFENDED THE CATHOLIC FAITH AGAINST THE CATHAR HERETICS. AFTER THE MONKS LEFT IN 1901, WEALTHY MERCHANT COLLECTORS GUSTAVE AND MADELEINE FAYET TOOK OVER THE ABBEY, DECORATING AND EMBELLISHING IT. Photo by Stephane Compoint/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

E

Illustration - Pays Cathare

FRANCE. AUDE (11) IN THE HEART OF CATHAR COUNTRY LIES THE CLOISTER OF THE CISTERCIAN ABBEY OF SAINTE-MARIE DE FONTFROIDE. IT IS ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL ABBEYS IN FRANCE. A CITADEL OF ORTHODOXY FOUNDED IN 1093, IT DEFENDED THE CATHOLIC FAITH AGAINST THE CATHAR HERETICS. AFTER THE MONKS LEFT IN 1901, WEALTHY MERCHANT COLLECTORS GUSTAVE AND MADELEINE FAYET TOOK OVER THE ABBEY, DECORATING AND EMBELLISHING IT. Photo by Stephane Compoint/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

E

Illustration - Pays Cathare

FRANCE.AUDE (11) AERIAL VIEW OF THE CISTERCIAN ABBEY OF FONTFROIDE. A CITADEL OF ORTHODOXY FOUNDED IN 1093, IT DEFENDED THE CATHOLIC FAITH AGAINST THE CATHAR HERETICS. Photo by Stephane Compoint/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

E

Illustration - Pays Cathare

FRANCE. AUDE (11) IN THE HEART OF CATHAR COUNTRY LIES THE CLOISTER OF THE CISTERCIAN ABBEY OF SAINTE-MARIE DE FONTFROIDE. IT IS ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL ABBEYS IN FRANCE. A CITADEL OF ORTHODOXY FOUNDED IN 1093, IT DEFENDED THE CATHOLIC FAITH AGAINST THE CATHAR HERETICS. AFTER THE MONKS LEFT IN 1901, WEALTHY MERCHANT COLLECTORS GUSTAVE AND MADELEINE FAYET TOOK OVER THE ABBEY, DECORATING AND EMBELLISHING IT. Photo by Stephane Compoint/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

E

Illustration - Pays Cathare

FRANCE. AUDE (11) IN THE HEART OF CATHAR COUNTRY, THE CISTERCIAN ABBEY OF SAINTE-MARIE DE FONTFROIDE IS ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL ABBEYS IN FRANCE. A CITADEL OF ORTHODOXY FOUNDED IN 1093, IT DEFENDED THE CATHOLIC FAITH AGAINST THE CATHAR HERETICS. AFTER THE MONKS LEFT IN 1901, WEALTHY MERCHANT COLLECTORS GUSTAVE AND MADELEINE FAYET TOOK OVER THE ABBEY, DECORATING AND EMBELLISHING IT. Photo by Stephane Compoint/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

E

Illustration - Pays Cathare

FRANCE. AUDE (11) IN THE HEART OF CATHAR COUNTRY LIES THE CLOISTER OF THE CISTERCIAN ABBEY OF SAINTE-MARIE DE FONTFROIDE. IT IS ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL ABBEYS IN FRANCE. A CITADEL OF ORTHODOXY FOUNDED IN 1093, IT DEFENDED THE CATHOLIC FAITH AGAINST THE CATHAR HERETICS. AFTER THE MONKS LEFT IN 1901, WEALTHY MERCHANT COLLECTORS GUSTAVE AND MADELEINE FAYET TOOK OVER THE ABBEY, DECORATING AND EMBELLISHING IT. Photo by Stephane Compoint/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

E

Illustration - Pays Cathare

FRANCE.AUDE (11) AERIAL VIEW OF THE CISTERCIAN ABBEY OF FONTFROIDE. A CITADEL OF ORTHODOXY FOUNDED IN 1093, IT DEFENDED THE CATHOLIC FAITH AGAINST THE CATHAR HERETICS. Photo by Stephane Compoint/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

E

Illustration - Pays Cathare

FRANCE. AUDE (11) IN THE HEART OF CATHAR COUNTRY LIES THE CLOISTER OF THE CISTERCIAN ABBEY OF SAINTE-MARIE DE FONTFROIDE. IT IS ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL ABBEYS IN FRANCE. A CITADEL OF ORTHODOXY FOUNDED IN 1093, IT DEFENDED THE CATHOLIC FAITH AGAINST THE CATHAR HERETICS. AFTER THE MONKS LEFT IN 1901, WEALTHY MERCHANT COLLECTORS GUSTAVE AND MADELEINE FAYET TOOK OVER THE ABBEY, DECORATING AND EMBELLISHING IT. Photo by Stephane Compoint/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

E

Illustration - Pays Cathare

FRANCE. AUDE (11) IN THE HEART OF CATHAR COUNTRY LIES THE CLOISTER OF THE CISTERCIAN ABBEY OF SAINTE-MARIE DE FONTFROIDE. IT IS ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL ABBEYS IN FRANCE. A CITADEL OF ORTHODOXY FOUNDED IN 1093, IT DEFENDED THE CATHOLIC FAITH AGAINST THE CATHAR HERETICS. AFTER THE MONKS LEFT IN 1901, WEALTHY MERCHANT COLLECTORS GUSTAVE AND MADELEINE FAYET TOOK OVER THE ABBEY, DECORATING AND EMBELLISHING IT. Photo by Stephane Compoint/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

E

Illustration - Pays Cathare

FRANCE. AUDE (11) IN THE HEART OF CATHAR COUNTRY LIES THE CLOISTER OF THE CISTERCIAN ABBEY OF SAINTE-MARIE DE FONTFROIDE. IT IS ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL ABBEYS IN FRANCE. A CITADEL OF ORTHODOXY FOUNDED IN 1093, IT DEFENDED THE CATHOLIC FAITH AGAINST THE CATHAR HERETICS. AFTER THE MONKS LEFT IN 1901, WEALTHY MERCHANT COLLECTORS GUSTAVE AND MADELEINE FAYET TOOK OVER THE ABBEY, DECORATING AND EMBELLISHING IT. Photo by Stephane Compoint/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

E

Illustration - Pays Cathare

FRANCE. AUDE (11) IN THE HEART OF CATHAR COUNTRY LIES THE CLOISTER OF THE CISTERCIAN ABBEY OF SAINTE-MARIE DE FONTFROIDE. IT IS ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL ABBEYS IN FRANCE. A CITADEL OF ORTHODOXY FOUNDED IN 1093, IT DEFENDED THE CATHOLIC FAITH AGAINST THE CATHAR HERETICS. AFTER THE MONKS LEFT IN 1901, WEALTHY MERCHANT COLLECTORS GUSTAVE AND MADELEINE FAYET TOOK OVER THE ABBEY, DECORATING AND EMBELLISHING IT. Photo by Stephane Compoint/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

E

Illustration - Pays Cathare

FRANCE.AUDE (11) AERIAL VIEW OF THE CISTERCIAN ABBEY OF FONTFROIDE. A CITADEL OF ORTHODOXY FOUNDED IN 1093, IT DEFENDED THE CATHOLIC FAITH AGAINST THE CATHAR HERETICS. Photo by Stephane Compoint/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

E

Illustration - Pays Cathare

FRANCE. AUDE (11) IN THE HEART OF CATHAR COUNTRY LIES THE CLOISTER OF THE CISTERCIAN ABBEY OF SAINTE-MARIE DE FONTFROIDE. IT IS ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL ABBEYS IN FRANCE. A CITADEL OF ORTHODOXY FOUNDED IN 1093, IT DEFENDED THE CATHOLIC FAITH AGAINST THE CATHAR HERETICS. AFTER THE MONKS LEFT IN 1901, WEALTHY MERCHANT COLLECTORS GUSTAVE AND MADELEINE FAYET TOOK OVER THE ABBEY, DECORATING AND EMBELLISHING IT. Photo by Stephane Compoint/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

E

Illustration - Pays Cathare

FRANCE.AUDE (11) AERIAL VIEW OF THE CISTERCIAN ABBEY OF FONTFROIDE. A CITADEL OF ORTHODOXY FOUNDED IN 1093, IT DEFENDED THE CATHOLIC FAITH AGAINST THE CATHAR HERETICS. Photo by Stephane Compoint/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

E

Illustration - Pays Cathare

FRANCE.AUDE (11) AERIAL VIEW OF THE CISTERCIAN ABBEY OF FONTFROIDE. A CITADEL OF ORTHODOXY FOUNDED IN 1093, IT DEFENDED THE CATHOLIC FAITH AGAINST THE CATHAR HERETICS. Photo by Stephane Compoint/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

E

Illustration - Pays Cathare

FRANCE - ARIEGE (09) - MONTSEGUR CASTLE. VIEW FROM THE SOUTH EAST, AT SUNSET. STANDING AT AN ALTITUDE OF 1207M, ON THE HIGHEST PART OF A ROCKY OUTCROP, THE FORTRESS IS MENTIONED IN THE TEXTS FROM THE END OF THE 12TH CENTURY. AT THE BEGINNING OF THE 13TH CENTURY, THE CATHARS, ADEPTS OF A DUALISTIC RELIGION DECLARED HERETICAL BY THE POPE, SETTLED IN THESE PLACES. IN 1232, THE CASTLE BECAME THE SEAT OF THE CATHAR CHURCH AND THE REFUGE OF THE FAIDITS, LOCAL LORDS DISPOSSESSED OF THEIR PROPERTY BY THE CRUSADE. WHILE LANGUEDOC WILL BE SET ON FIRE, MONTSEGUR WILL LIVE IN RELATIVE PEACE FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS. FINALLY, THE POPE AND THE KING OF FRANCE, DECIDED IN 1243 TO FINISH WITH MONTSEGUR: AFTER A TERRIBLE SIEGE OF 11 MONTHS, MARCH 16, 1244, THE CATHARS ARE LED TO THE STAKE. MORE THAN 200 OF THEM ARE BURNED ALIVE. CATHARISM WILL NEVER RECOVER FROM THE LOSS OF MONTSEGUR AND WILL DISAPPEAR COMPLETELY AT THE BEGINNING OF THE 14TH CENTURY. Photo by Stephane Compoint/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

E

Illustration - Pays Cathare

FRANCE - ARIEGE (09) - MONTSEGUR CASTLE. VIEW FROM THE SOUTH EAST, AT SUNSET. STANDING AT AN ALTITUDE OF 1207M, ON THE HIGHEST PART OF A ROCKY OUTCROP, THE FORTRESS IS MENTIONED IN THE TEXTS FROM THE END OF THE 12TH CENTURY. AT THE BEGINNING OF THE 13TH CENTURY, THE CATHARS, ADEPTS OF A DUALISTIC RELIGION DECLARED HERETICAL BY THE POPE, SETTLED IN THESE PLACES. IN 1232, THE CASTLE BECAME THE SEAT OF THE CATHAR CHURCH AND THE REFUGE OF THE FAIDITS, LOCAL LORDS DISPOSSESSED OF THEIR PROPERTY BY THE CRUSADE. WHILE LANGUEDOC WILL BE SET ON FIRE, MONTSEGUR WILL LIVE IN RELATIVE PEACE FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS. FINALLY, THE POPE AND THE KING OF FRANCE, DECIDED IN 1243 TO FINISH WITH MONTSEGUR: AFTER A TERRIBLE SIEGE OF 11 MONTHS, MARCH 16, 1244, THE CATHARS ARE LED TO THE STAKE. MORE THAN 200 OF THEM ARE BURNED ALIVE. CATHARISM WILL NEVER RECOVER FROM THE LOSS OF MONTSEGUR AND WILL DISAPPEAR COMPLETELY AT THE BEGINNING OF THE 14TH CENTURY. Photo by Stephane Compoint/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

E

Illustration - Pays Cathare

FRANCE - ARIEGE (09) - MONTSEGUR CASTLE. VIEW FROM THE SOUTH EAST, AT SUNSET. STANDING AT AN ALTITUDE OF 1207M, ON THE HIGHEST PART OF A ROCKY OUTCROP, THE FORTRESS IS MENTIONED IN THE TEXTS FROM THE END OF THE 12TH CENTURY. AT THE BEGINNING OF THE 13TH CENTURY, THE CATHARS, ADEPTS OF A DUALISTIC RELIGION DECLARED HERETICAL BY THE POPE, SETTLED IN THESE PLACES. IN 1232, THE CASTLE BECAME THE SEAT OF THE CATHAR CHURCH AND THE REFUGE OF THE FAIDITS, LOCAL LORDS DISPOSSESSED OF THEIR PROPERTY BY THE CRUSADE. WHILE LANGUEDOC WILL BE SET ON FIRE, MONTSEGUR WILL LIVE IN RELATIVE PEACE FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS. FINALLY, THE POPE AND THE KING OF FRANCE, DECIDED IN 1243 TO FINISH WITH MONTSEGUR: AFTER A TERRIBLE SIEGE OF 11 MONTHS, MARCH 16, 1244, THE CATHARS ARE LED TO THE STAKE. MORE THAN 200 OF THEM ARE BURNED ALIVE. CATHARISM WILL NEVER RECOVER FROM THE LOSS OF MONTSEGUR AND WILL DISAPPEAR COMPLETELY AT THE BEGINNING OF THE 14TH CENTURY. Photo by Stephane Compoint/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

E

Illustration - Pays Cathare

FRANCE - ARIEGE (09) - MONTSEGUR CASTLE. VIEW FROM THE SOUTH EAST, AT SUNSET. STANDING AT AN ALTITUDE OF 1207M, ON THE HIGHEST PART OF A ROCKY OUTCROP, THE FORTRESS IS MENTIONED IN THE TEXTS FROM THE END OF THE 12TH CENTURY. AT THE BEGINNING OF THE 13TH CENTURY, THE CATHARS, ADEPTS OF A DUALISTIC RELIGION DECLARED HERETICAL BY THE POPE, SETTLED IN THESE PLACES. IN 1232, THE CASTLE BECAME THE SEAT OF THE CATHAR CHURCH AND THE REFUGE OF THE FAIDITS, LOCAL LORDS DISPOSSESSED OF THEIR PROPERTY BY THE CRUSADE. WHILE LANGUEDOC WILL BE SET ON FIRE, MONTSEGUR WILL LIVE IN RELATIVE PEACE FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS. FINALLY, THE POPE AND THE KING OF FRANCE, DECIDED IN 1243 TO FINISH WITH MONTSEGUR: AFTER A TERRIBLE SIEGE OF 11 MONTHS, MARCH 16, 1244, THE CATHARS ARE LED TO THE STAKE. MORE THAN 200 OF THEM ARE BURNED ALIVE. CATHARISM WILL NEVER RECOVER FROM THE LOSS OF MONTSEGUR AND WILL DISAPPEAR COMPLETELY AT THE BEGINNING OF THE 14TH CENTURY. Photo by Stephane Compoint/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

E

Illustration - Pays Cathare

FRANCE - AUDE (11) VILLEROUGE-TERMENES CASTEL. FRESCO RENDERED REPRESENTING BELIBASTE (THE LAST "PARFAIT") AND HIS CATHAR COMPANION PHILIPPE D'ALAIRAC. Photo by Stephane Compoint/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

E

Illustration - Pays Cathare

FRANCE - AUDE (11) VILLEROUGE-TERMENES CASTEL. FRESCO RENDERED REPRESENTING CHARACTERS DISCUSSING DURING A MEAL. IN THE CENTER, BELIBASTE (THE LAST "PARFAIT") AND HIS CATHAR COMPANION PHILIPPE D'ALAIRAC. BELOW, THE COAT OF ARMS OF BERNARD DE FARGES, ARCHBISHOP OF NARBONNE FROM 1311 TO 1341. Photo by Stephane Compoint/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

E

Illustration - Pays Cathare

FRANCE, AUDE (11) AERIAL VIEW OF ARQUES CATHAR CASTLE Photo by Stephane Compoint/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

E

Illustration - Pays Cathare

FRANCE. OCCITANY. AUDE (11) ORBIEL VALLEY. THE CASTLES OF LASTOURS, FOUR ANCIENT CATHAR CASTLES FROM THE XII? AND XIII? CENTURIES, NOW IN RUINS. Photo by Stephane Compoint/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

E

Illustration - Pays Cathare

FRANCE. OCCITANY. AUDE (11) ORBIEL VALLEY. THE CASTLES OF LASTOURS, FOUR ANCIENT CATHAR CASTLES FROM THE XII? AND XIII? CENTURIES, NOW IN RUINS. Photo by Stephane Compoint/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

E

Illustration - Chateaux du Pays Cathare

FRANCE. AUDE (11) ORBIEL VALLEY. NEAR CABARDES, THE LASTOURS CASTLES SHROUDED IN MIST. FOUR ANCIENT FORTRESSES KNOWN AS CATHAR CASTLES FROM THE 12TH AND 13TH CENTURIES, NOW IN RUINS. THESE CASTLES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF FRANCE'S OFFICIAL APPLICATION (?FORTRESSES OF THE LANGUEDOC?) FOR UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE STATUS IN 2026. Photo by Paul Palau/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

E

Illustration - Chateaux du Pays Cathare

FRANCE. AUDE (11) ORBIEL VALLEY. THE CHATEAUX OF LASTOURS SHROUDED IN MIST (FOUR ANCIENT FORTRESSES KNOWN AS CATHAR CHATEAUX FROM THE 12TH AND 13TH CENTURIES, NOW IN RUINS) NEAR CABARDES Photo by Paul Palau/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

E

Illustration - Chateaux du Pays Cathare

FRANCE. AUDE (11) ORBIEL VALLEY. NEAR CABARDES, THE LASTOURS CASTLES SHROUDED IN MIST. FOUR ANCIENT FORTRESSES KNOWN AS CATHAR CASTLES FROM THE 12TH AND 13TH CENTURIES, NOW IN RUINS. THESE CASTLES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF FRANCE'S OFFICIAL APPLICATION (?FORTRESSES OF THE LANGUEDOC?) FOR UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE STATUS IN 2026. Photo by Paul Palau/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

E

Illustration - Chateaux du Pays Cathare

FRANCE. AUDE (11) ORBIEL VALLEY. NEAR CABARDES. THE LASTOURS CASTLES SHROUDED IN MIST (FOUR ANCIENT FORTRESSES KNOWN AS CATHAR CASTLES FROM THE 12TH AND 13TH CENTURIES (TOUR REGINE, SURDESPINE, QUERTINHEAUX AND CHATEAU DE CABARET) NOW IN RUINS. THESE LASTOURS CASTLES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF FRANCE'S OFFICIAL APPLICATION (?FORTERESSES DU LANGUEDOC?) FOR UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE STATUS IN 2026. Photo by Paul Palau/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

E

Illustration - Chateaux du Pays Cathare

FRANCE. AUDE (11) ORBIEL VALLEY. NEAR CABARDES, THE LASTOURS CASTLES SHROUDED IN MIST. FOUR ANCIENT FORTRESSES KNOWN AS CATHAR CASTLES FROM THE 12TH AND 13TH CENTURIES, NOW IN RUINS. THESE CASTLES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF FRANCE'S OFFICIAL APPLICATION (?FORTRESSES OF THE LANGUEDOC?) FOR UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE STATUS IN 2026. Photo by Paul Palau/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM