10 Castles in Aude That You Shouldn't Miss

Eight hundred years ago, Termes was the site of the longest castle siege during the Crusade against the Albigensians, or cathars. It lasted for months of siege for Simon de Montfor and his crusaders to take the fortress. This historical event will no longer hold any secrets for you thanks to a visit which includes an introductory film, the "1210, the siege of the castle of Termes" exhibition and the document-guide which you can borrow, there, above the spectacular Gorges of Termenet, after a fifteen-minutes walk. Every year, workings go on on the ruins of what once was "one of the five sons of Carcassonne". Open all days from 1 april to 11 november.

Carcassonne was settled as early as the 6th century BC and later became an important Roman town. It was fortified in the 4th century and was a strategic site in the Middle Ages. It took on its definitive shape in the 13th century with the king’s decision to construct the distinctive double-walled ramparts and extend the castle. The city was restored by Viollet-le-Duc in the 19th century and is a testimony to 1,000 years of military architecture and 2,600 years of history. See a 12-minute film combining 3-D images and close-up footage; walk along the galleries, the fortified walls and the north ramparts; discover the museum of masonry and many other attractions. Designated world heritage site by UNESCO. Open: > April to September: from 10 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. > October to March: from 9.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Last admission 45 minutes before closing time. Closed: > 1st January, 1st May, 1st November, 11th November and 25th December. Admission fees: Adults : 8,50 €; Concessions (18 to 25) = 5,50 €; Free admission: minors under 18*; Free admission: 18-25 years old* (citizens of one of the 27 countries of the EU or are non-European permanent residents of France) * excluding school groups

Strategically placed at 697m altitude on Mont Ardu, the Puilaurens castle rises up against the rocky overhang that dominates the village of Puilaurens, in the middle of an evergreen forest. During four centuries it was the southern-most fortress in France and locked access to the Fenouilledes. From the entrance, we can see the first stones! At the end of the road, the impressive chicane staircase rises up to the castle’s entrance doors. Impatient to discover the inside of the castle? Walk past the Murder Hole and the main court is unveiled. The surrounding walls and its crenels, the horseshoe towers are filled with history, marked by time… The adaptation of this fortress to its steep landscape show architectural prowess. It makes for an impressive reference point within the remarkable and preserved landscape.Puilauren's castle is a medieval fortress, mainly built in the middle of the XIIIth century, with some changes dating back to the XVIIth century.