Château de Peyrepertuse ( Castèl de Pèirapertusa)

Peyrepertuse is a ruined fortress and one of the Cathar castles of the Languedoc located in the French Pyrénées in the commune of Duilhac-sous-Peyrepertuse, in the Aude département.

It was associated with the Counts of Barcelona, later kings of Aragon.

The name Peyrepetuse is derived from Pèirapertusa, Occitan, meaning Pierced Rock.

The lower part of the castle was built on a strategic location by the kings of Aragon in the 11th Century and the higher part by the French King Louis IX later on, after the area was annexed to France. The two castles are linked together by a staircase. The castle lost importance as a strategic castle when the border between France and Spain was moved in 1659, causing the castle to be abandoned.

The castle ruins are impressive, set high on a defensive crag.  From the approach road it is difficult to see where the rock stops and the castle starts. 

The castle was built in the 11th century on a site dominating the Corbières and the sea.  The main part, resembles the prow of a ship, running along the top of an 800m (2,600 ft) high crag.  It houses the church of Sainte-Marie and the governor's residence.

It was never subjected to attack during the Crusade against the Cathars.  Nevertheless, it was surrendered to the French Crusaders 22nd of May 1217, reclaimed again as the balance of power changed. Guilhem de Peyrepertuse, was excommunicated in 1224 because of his refusal to submit to the Catholic Crusaders. He surrendered after the siege of Carcassonne (the Viscount of Carcassonne, Guilhem's suzerain, having failed to retake Carcassonne from the French invaders in 1240). Peyrepertuse became a French possession the same year.

In 1258, the Treaty of Corbeil defined the border between France and Aragon for four centuries : Peyrepertuse became a royal French fortress at the southern border of the French kingdom. At the end of the 13th century, it was a powerful stronghold with strong defences. During the winter of 1367-1368, Peyrepertuse was the refuge of Henri de Trastamare, claimant to the crown of Castille.

See separate sections below on:

Address / Maps / Location

History

Architecture

Photographs

Address

Location

History

Louis IX ("Saint Louis") appreciated the value of its defensive position.  He built the higher castle of San Jordi. (Saint George) further along the ridge.  It includes the chapel and the donjon San Jordi.  The two buildings are linked by the staircase of Saint Louis and surrounded by a curtain wall.  The staircase has a flight of more than 60 steps carved from the rock, winding from the curtain wall to the citadel. 

This is one of the "Five Sons of Carcassonne", along with Queribus,  Termes,  Aguilar, Peyrepertuse and Puilaurens: five castles strategically placed to defend the new French border against the Spanish. (This border corresponds roughly with the present border between the Aude and Pyrenees Orientales departements)

The fortress was garrisoned with only fifteen or so men (governor, sergeants, lookouts, and men-at-arms). It lost all strategic importance after the Treaty of the Pyrenees in 1659 when the border was moved even further south to its present position along the crest of the Pyrenees.  Its importance declined and it was abandoned altogether at the time of the French Revolution. 

Architecture

The castle of Peyrepertuse was listed as a historic monument in 1908.  Self-guided visits (Audioguide optional and extra), guided visit by prior arrangement (duration: 1h30)  February to April 10am to 6pm.   
May to June and September 10am to 7pm.   
July and August 9am to 8pm.   
October to December 10am to 6pm.   

The castle lies on a 730 meter high rock and when the weather is clear you can see the Mediterranean Sea from it.

People have been living on the site of castle Peyrepertuse since Roman times. The castle is first mentioned in 1050.

Peyrepertuse lies at   42°52'01" N,   2°33'25" E.

Further details or booking: +33 (0)6 71 58 63 36.  A track leaves the village and leads to the foot of the impressive cliff on which Peyrepertuse was built (1 hour's walk).  Alternatively you can reach the car-park at the foot of the castle by car.  From the Car park (and ticket-office) you walk for 20 minutes on a winding path through box trees and evergreen oaks. 

Falconry. Throughout the summer season (and during the annual medieval festival in August) Patrice Potier flies his birds up at the top of the hill in the castle here. Click on the following link for more information on hawking in the Languedoc.

	Curtain Walls - "enceinte" - exterior
Inner staircase	Gateway with murder hole
Tower with arrow loop	Interior view of a tower "ouvert a la gorge" - literally open at the throat. Such towers provide protection to defenders, but if taken by a besieging army offer no protection to the attackers from the next ring of defence
Close up of the Murder Hole	Close up of the Murder Hole

Photographs