Perched on rocky peaks in the Corbières and the Aude Pyrenees, the Cathar castles are among the most spectacular sites in France. These 13th-century fortresses were the last refuges of the Cathar Perfects during the Albigensian Crusade.
Wear hiking shoes — reaching Peyrepertuse and Quéribus takes a 20 to 40-minute walk. Avoid the summer heat. Check opening hours, as some sites close in winter.
