The Albigensian Bastides

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A bastide is a fortified medieval village. In the region, the medieval wars lasted so long that most of the surrounding villages were fortresses for defense and observation, perched on hills or on rocky peaks. This high position is indeed an amazing feature of the local bastides ... to be visited ...

These fortified hilltop villages display a characteristic and picturesque architecture, unforgettable. They overlook the surrounding valleys. These are places that have been specially selected to provide a broad view of the close surroundings and the furter horizon. Today they offer to the visitor extraordinary views with magnificent panorama, after passing through a village with a medieval atmosphere that sends back several centuries in the past ...

These include, among others, Cordes-sur-Ciel, Puycelsi, Castelnau de Montmirail, etc.  ; we apologize for not being able to cite all og them. The local tourist offices abound with useful information.

More informations:

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• The tour of the Bastides Albigeoises
• The  Cathars at Penne (note: the cathars were named "Albigeois")