Sentier Cathare et des Bonshommes
Description
This mythical route, with steep paths trodden by the " Good Men " its mark territory linked to the history of the Cathars.
Technical informations
25 km
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max. 1058 m
min. 588 m
1300 m
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Styles : HikingMountainForest Public : Experienced hikers | ||||||||||
Altimetric profile
Starting point
Steps
Starting point : Leychert below the Church
In the village by the Church turn right ; join the ridge at the source of the Buc Stream. (Altitude 781 metres)
Step 2
Head in the direction of Roquefixade. (2.5km)
Step 3
At the crossing turn right and descend for 800 metres to the village.
Step 4
Take the farmers’ track for 1.8 km, passing the Monument to the Martyrs of the Resistance from World War 2, to Coulzonne.
Step 5
Follow the small path to the D9A and opposite take the trail to the hamlet of Conte (2.5 km).
Step 6
Cross the D117, follow it for a few metres, then descend to the right and climb again to the left to Pipie. In the Hamlet turn right to the Cheese Producer (3km).
Step 7
Take the track which descends to the Hamlet of Sau (1km) ; On the road, turn left then descend to Frechede by the paved trail (1.5km).
Step 8
Continue to the village, cross the Touyre (stream) and rejoin the Small tarmac route between the stream and the camping site.
Step 9
Carry straight on for about 1.5km.
Step 10
Cross the D909 (road to Monts d’Olmes), and take the and rejoin the D9. Cross it and take the trail on the left as far as the Col to Montsegur.
Step 11
Descend and cross the village.
Step 12
Continue to the place known as the « Moulin » and cross the stream « Le Lacet ».
Step 13
Climb to the plateau of « Taulat » (45 minutes) (2.5 km) and descend to Pelail.
Points of interest
The altarpiece of the church of Leychert
The castle of Roquefixade
The existence of the castle of Roquefixade is attested since 1034. The first lords all bear the name of Bernard Amiel de Pailhès. During the crusade against the Albigenses, they are of all the fighting alongside the counts of Toulouse and Foix of which they are the vassals. In 1278, the castle was purchased by the king who will maintain and remodel the fortifications and maintain a garrison including a castellan, a watchman, a porter, twelve sergeants and watchdogs.
The Orris of Roquefixade
The Orris
The Orris is a dry stone construction without binder with vault in piles of medium mountain load.
The village of Montférrier
The village of Montségur
The castle of Montségur
By visiting the Montségur castle, you will perceive all that emerges from the site when one tries to imagine what could be during the winter 1243-1244 the seat of this citadel of vertigo. How for the 400 people entrenched, the living conditions already austere in normal times, were made even harder by the isolation resulting from this long siege of 10 months or 230 Cathars not wanting to deny their faith chose to die at the stake in cons bottom of the castle on March 16, 1244. Thus sounded the announced end of Catharism.
Archaeological Museum of Montségur
But Montségur is also a historical and archaeological museum. You will discover through thousands of exhibits how lived the inhabitants of the castle and castrum in the Middle Ages: tools, hardware, ornaments, weapons, dice to play ...
Additional information
To see
The castle of Roquefixade and Orris
Villages of Montsegur and Montferrier (the castle and archaeological museum).
Data author
