Cathar castles facts for kids
Cathar castles (called Châteaux cathares in French) are a group of castles in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of France. This name is often used by tourists. Most of these castles were actually built by people who were fighting against the Cathars. This happened during a time called the Albigensian Crusade.
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What are "True" Cathar Castles?
The Cathars were a religious group. They did not build big, fancy castles themselves. They mostly built strong, fortified homes. The idea that Cathars were great castle builders is a myth. The Cathar church did not build large buildings. So, the real "Cathar" castles are often small. Many of them are not well-known to tourists. Their ruins are often simple and far from main roads.
The King's Border Forts
In 1240, a leader named Raimond II tried to take back the city of Carcassonne. He was not successful. After this, the French King decided to make the city walls stronger. He also destroyed smaller forts in the Corbières region. Then, he built new, strong forts called citadels. These new forts were built to protect the border with the kingdom of Aragon.
These five castles are very famous. They are often called the cinq fils de Carcassonne. This means "five sons of Carcassonne":
- Château d'Aguilar
- Peyrepertuse castle
- Puilaurens castle
- Quéribus castle
- Château de Termes
These five strongholds successfully defended against attacks. They resisted many attempts by the Aragonese army.
Why the Castles Were Left Behind
In 1659, King Louis XIV of France signed a peace deal. It was called the Treaty of the Pyrenees. He signed it with Philip IV of Spain. The treaty changed the borders between France and Spain. It gave the Rousillon area to France. The new border moved south to the Pyrenees mountains. This is where the border is today.
Because of this new border, the castles lost their importance. They were no longer needed to protect the frontier. Some castles kept soldiers for a while. A few even had soldiers until the French Revolution. But over time, most of them slowly fell apart. They often became shelters for shepherds. Sometimes, they were even used as hideouts for bandits.
Other "Cathar Castles"
Here are some other castles that are often called "Cathar castles":
- Château d’Arques
- Château de Durfort
- Châteaux de Lastours
- Château de Montségur
- Château de Padern
- Château de Pieusse
- Château de Puivert
- Rennes-le-Château
- Château de Roquefixade
- Château de Saissac
- Château d'Usson
Lastours
Puilaurens
Montségur castle
Puivert
Arques
Termes
Quéribus
Aguilar
Minerve
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Images for kids
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Le Château de Quéribus
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Lastours castles (13th century)
See also
In Spanish: Castillos cátaros para niños
