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The site of Termes includes a charming small village, near two spectacular gorges, and of course, the rests of one of the best known fortresses of the history of the Crusade against the Cathars.
We are not far away from the castles of Villerouge-Termenès and Arques nor from the village and abbey of Lagrasse as well.
The castle of Termes was the administrative center of an important territorial district in XI th -XIII th centuries. The lords of Termes managed a powerful fortified village, under the donjon, and they showed themselves tolerant to the cathar heretics.
800 years ago, during the crusade against the cathars, the siege of Termes in 1210 by the army of Simon de Montfort made Termes famous: it was one of the longest sieges of this 20 years long war (1209-1229).
At the end of the XIII° century, the castle was reorganized by the French royal power. From then, Termes was one of the castles wich protected France against spain : The " Five sons of Carcassonne". |
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Destroyed by the french authority in 1654, the castle of Termes remained abandoned until the XXth century.
But since 1989, conservative workings are done. The current archaeological excavations wich are now made every year since 2005 allows a beter understanding of the history of the castle. These discoveries as well as the efforts made to improve the comfort of the visit, brings the castle out of the forgetting.
The remembrance, 800 years later, of the Albigensian crusade, and the siege of the castle of Termes, is an opportunity to propose you even more : the contents of the visit grows rich:
- a short film "Termes, the impregnable ?" allows to start your visit.
- an exhibition "1210, the siege of the castle of Termes" gives all about this event of the XIII th century.
- the paper-guide which is lent to you for the time of your visit is renewed
last year...
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Opening Château de Termes - Termes:
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March - early November - from 10:00 to 17:00 - Open weekends, public holidays and holidays
- April - May - June - September - October - All days - from 10:00 to 18:00
- July - August - All days - from 10:00 to 19:30
- Closed day(s) : December - January - February (except groups)
- Open weekends, public holidays and holidays.
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* Shop * Unguided group visits * Individual guided tours * Unguided individual visits |
* Pets allowed *
Group guided tours * Groups Accepted * Parking |

Château de Villerouge-Termenès

Gorges du Termenet

Lagrasse
Gorges
de Caune-Pont
(Gorges de Coynepont) |
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The Château de Termes is a ruined castle near the village of Termes in the Aude département of the Languedoc. Built on a promontory it is defended on three sides by deep ravines. The ruins of the castle cover an area of 16.000m². Au bout de 30mn environ, au niveau d’un gué sur le Sou, franchir le ruisseau de Nougairole (signifie planté de noyers). La montée est raide, obliquer à gauche, passer sous le rocher de la Femna Prens. Vue dégagée sur les gorges de « Caune Pont » et la vallée du Sou. Passage délicat dans les rochers. Continuer de monter pour atteindre un éperon rocheux en promontoire : vue plongeante sur le défilé des gorges. Enjamber un passage vertigineux : le rocher de Caune Pont qui surplombe une grotte d’habitat néolithique...
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Sentier Le Gourg de Talairan |
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Talairan, fortified village. You can walk through the vineyards at the edge of the cliffs and the dried up river Nielle. You can also admire the clear waters of Gourg Goutonnier...
> Leave the village on the D323. You’ll walk past a basin (known as the “lavoir à pétales”, the petal washtub), extremely pleasant during the warm summer months. Take the chemin de la Croisette which will take you to the Notre-Dame-de-l’Ere chapel. Follow for about 600 m, before climbing the Buffanel on a small path to the left through the garrigue on the edge of the superb Gorges of the Nielle stream, twisting and turning 100 m below.
Walk up along the gorges on a small ridge path, and continue alongside a fenced vineyard...
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Château de Termes |
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Leisure
- Museum - Castle - Abbey |
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Château de Termes 2 Camin dal Castel 11330 TERMES |
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Phone1 +33 4.68.70.09.20 Phone2 +33 4.68.70.10.71
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chateau.termes@gmail.com
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www.chateau-termes.com |
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Adults: 5.00 €
Children: 2.00 € |
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The authentically restored décor, along with the fare from
its kitchens, will carry you back in time to the 14th century. Everything here
combines to make you feel a part of the Middle Age: The exceptional furniture ,
the apparel of the Château’s noblemen and their footservants , the utensils and
the tableware, which includes not only dishes but decorative items too, have all
been recreated on the basis of archeological evidence and documentary sources
from the region . And when your trencher is put before you, it will reveal the
surprising flavours and culinary refinements of a bygone era...
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Labeled as restaurant Café de Pays with a breathtaking
view of the medieval castle of Villerouge Terménès. Bichère Maryse welcome you
and cook just around local products. For those addicted to tobacco that
circulate in the Hautes Corbières, there should be fueling this bar / restaurant
which also tobacco. Unless you enjoy your stay in the wilderness in the Aude to
stop smoking, which would be a good idea...
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Abbaye Sainte-Marie de Lagrasse |
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Lagrasse is known for its important Abbey, the Abbaye Sainte Marie de Lagrasse, which is accessed by an ancient and very attractive bridge. The keep or “donjon” is still in good condition, giving an interesting idea of the history of the place. The Church of St Michel is a good example of Gothic architecture in the region, and is worth a visit. Lagrasse also retains the ramparts from the old fortifications, all of which helps to preserve a sense of the original village...
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How pleasant it is to stroll around Lagrasse! If you take a walk on the promenade, make a stop in this nice brasserie-tearoom with a shaded terrace.
The setting is practical with a fresco of Lagrasse in the 1930s, the terrace is really enhanced by beautiful green plants and shaded by parasols when the sun is too violent.
Restaurant l'Entrepote ( formerly Restaurant l'Affenage) is located in Lagrasse, medieval city of the twelfth century, famous for its abbey and ranked among the most beautiful villages in France.
You will be served a cuisine that is homemade and cooked using fresh produce. The dishes are classic, tasty and without fuss, like the "Lagrassienne" salad (with gésiers, croutons, homemade foie gras: very hearty), the plate of cold meats, the prawns grilled and flambéed with Carthagène, the cassoulet or the grilled duck breast, homemade sauces.
Everyone will find their happiness!
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Desire for eating healthy and local in Hautes Corbières? Appointment in Moulin Neuf where the chef Vincent Pujo, a person of a rich experience in various establishments, proposes to you a delicious à la carte of local products, on terrace or in the diningroom. Here, the à la carte menu is made up of fresh ingredients, the dishes change regularly, in respect for the ground and the climate, and all the suppliers are specified. As starter, to choose between the Saint-Honore with Foie Gras or the Cromesqui of Langoustine, which is already a torment, and for the dish: lamb leg, trout with almonds, or fillet with butter of hazelnut and chorizo? For the dessert, Dax-native the walnut-chocolate puts everyone of agreement, unless you crack for crunch-citrus fruits... In Moulin Neuf, it is also possible to set out again with quality fishes since the place is also a piscicultural farmhouse!
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Welcome to the restaurant La Talariane located in Talairan. We are welcome you in the green heart of the Corbières and the entrance of the Cathar country. We invite you to have a good time while enjoying our specialties and regional dishes: scrambled eggs with truffle essence and parmesan, crisps ham, cream of vegetables in season with his ice cream with olive oil , cassoulet terrine, gardianne bull, paella royale, specialties around the beef (rib bone and rib)... Discover a relaxed and friendly atmosphere and a beautiful setting and a shaded terrace...
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