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The ruins of Peyrepertuse along a rocky ridge

Château de Peyrepertuse

The most spectacular of the Cathar castles, stretched along a razor-edged ridge.

Photo: H. Zell, CC BY-SA 3.0
  • Length~300 m
  • Altitude~800 m
  • Walk up15–20 min
  • Time2 h

Peyrepertuse stretches for around 300 metres along a limestone ridge at about 800 metres, in the Corbières hills north of the Pyrenees. Together with Quéribus and other 'sons of Carcassonne', it guarded the old frontier between France and the Kingdom of Aragón.

The visit

A path climbs from the car park in about 15 to 20 minutes. Inside, explore the lower castle and climb the Saint Louis staircase, cut into the rock, to the Sant Jordi keep at the highest point.

Tips

  • The site can close in very high winds, common in the area.
  • Medieval festivals and falconry displays are held in summer.
  • Combine with Quéribus and the Gorges de Galamus.

Tours: Château de Peyrepertuse

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The ruins of Peyrepertuse along a rocky ridge
The ruins of Peyrepertuse along a rocky ridge. Photo: H. Zell, CC BY-SA 3.0

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