Peyrepertuse Castle facts for kids
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Peyrepertuse Castle is an old fortress located in Aude, a region in Occitanie, France. It is known as one of the "Cathar castles" because of its history during the Albigensian Crusade. This amazing castle was built on top of a tall cliff, about 30 to 40 meters high. This made it a very strong and important place for defense.
The Castle's Long History
Peyrepertuse Castle is very old. It was first mentioned in official records in the year 806. However, people might have lived or used this spot even earlier, possibly during Roman times.
In its early days, the castle belonged to a Catalan count. Over time, it changed hands several times. It was owned by the Count of Barcelona and then by the Count of Narbonne.
Peyrepertuse and the French Border
A big change happened for the castle in the 13th century. In 1240, after a war called the Albigensian Crusade (which was against a group known as the Cathars), Peyrepertuse Castle became part of France.
Later, in 1258, a very important agreement called the Treaty of Corbeil was signed. This treaty set the border between France and Spain right to the south of the castle. This meant Peyrepertuse became a key French border fortress.
The French army kept a group of soldiers, called a garrison, at the castle. Their job was to protect France from invasions from the south. The castle served this important role until the 16th century. At that time, a region called Roussillon also became part of France. This moved the border further south, and Peyrepertuse was no longer a border castle.
Peyrepertuse Castle Today
Today, Peyrepertuse Castle is mostly in ruins, but it is still a very impressive place. Many people visit it every year to see its ancient walls and enjoy the stunning views. About 100,000 visitors come to explore the castle's history each year. There is also a vineyard (a place where grapes are grown for wine) located nearby.
