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The castle of Usson is the most ancient of both strongholds of the Donezan. It was first mentioned in 1035 but its building up probably dates back to the end of the 10 th Century. It was occupied without interruption until 1794 and it bears, still most visible, the marks of this long occupation. It was in turn property of the So and Alion families, of the Catalan Counts of Foix, of the Kings of France, or even of the Usson de Bonnac family, last holder of this antic stronghold. The marquis de Bonnac, Jean-Louis d'Usson, turned the medieval dwelling place through many restorations under his control, together with Victor Canas' architectural project, into a residential house according to the fashion of the 18 th Century.
The Revolution of 1789 tolled the knell for a lot of castles belonging to the nobility and that of Usson knew its own demolition stone after stone, finally becoming a quarry for the inhabitants of the next villages. One has to wait till 1990 to see this legendary site as a witness of actions aimed at saving it from falling into total ruin. The low wall serves now as a shelter for the Patrimony House which was fixed up in the former stables, built in the 18 th Century... |
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Specialities
The Chateau d'Usson is one of the so-called Cathar castles in what is now southwestern France. It is located in the commune of Rouze, in the Ariege departement. It is sited upstream from Axat, along the Aude River gorge, carved out of the foothills of the Pyrenees.
It is situated at 920 m in altitude and dominates the valley of the Aude River. The Chateau de Puilaurens is 30 km away, Chateau de Puivert 49 km and Chateau de Queribus 60 km. Chateau d'Usson is listed as a monument historique by the French Ministry of Culture.
The castle dates from the 11th century (perhaps earlier) and during the Cathar period marked the eastern boundary of the territories of the Counts of Foix. In the 12th century this was the capital of the Donezan region. Before the defile was cut through the mountains to link Quillan to Axat, this was an inaccessible outpost providing succour for faidits and other persecuted Cathars. The Cathar bishop of Toulouse Guilhabert de Castres is known to have taken refuge here.
Towards the end of the wars against the Cathars this was one of their last sanctuaries, providing support for Montsegur. The seigneurs of Usson, Bernard d'Alion, lord of the Chateau de Montaillou, and his brother Arnaud d'Usson sent arms and supplies to their besieged comrades there. On March 15, 1244, the day before 225 Cathar parfaits were burned alive at Montsegur, four other parfaits left the castle there for Usson, where the Cathar treasure had been evacuated a few months earlier. This mystery has fed a number of theories about the equally mysterious treasure supposedly found at Rennes-le-Chateau in the 19th century.
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Opening Château d'Usson:
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01 March to 16
March - From 14:00 to 18:00
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26 April to 11 May - From 14:00 to 18:00
- 29 May to
30 June - From 14:00 to 18:00
- July and August - From 10:00 to 13:00 and from 15:00 to 19:00
- 01 September to 28 September -
From 14:00 to 18:00
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11 October to 12 October - From 14:00 to 18:00
Equipments and Services: |
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* Individual guided tours
* Group guided tours
* Unguided group visits |
* Parking
* Groups Accepted |
Axat
Ax-les-Thermes
Grotte de l'Aguzou
Vin de Pays d’Oc,
Vin de Pays de l’Aude |
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Vin de Pays means 'country wine' to the French, but to outsiders it can mean New World with a French accent. These are the wines which the French authorities unreservedly allow to be labelled with the grape variety from which they were made. It is difficult to over-estimate the importance of this large and growing category of wines for the future of the French wine trade. The French themselves may have tended to see any Vin de Pays as distinctly inferior to any appellation contrôlée wine, whereas many of their customers abroad see the better Vins de Pays as good-value, user-friendly, sometimes high-quality non-conformist emissaries from the world's most revered wine producer....
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There are thousands of grape varieties contributing to a vast array of different wine styles with each variety having its own distinct flavours and characteristics. Varieties can be made uniquely to make a wine, in whch case the wine is known as a varietal, or collectively with other varities, when the wine is known as a blend. The soils and ‘terroirs’ in the Aude area are very varied, from Schist, Sandstone, Marl, Gravel, Pebbles, Limestone, to Granit and Alluvial soil; thus making many marvelous and different styles of wine. Also in this massive area are many different grape varieties, the reds include Carignon, Cinsault, Granache Noir, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. The whites, Chardonnay, Granache blanc, Picpoul, Marsanne, Roussanne, Vermantino, Mauzac, Chenin and Clairette...
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Eau Vive Passion / Sud Rafting |
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Alain and his team welcome you to the site of the Pont d'alies in the town of Axat Upper Aude Valley, on the road of Cathar castles and Capcir. Between sea and mountains, the basis of a halt Axat offers sports and recreation, in a freindly and professional local team. With a group of guides formed for several seasons, we support you in your adventure of discovery of whitewater sports. Hostesses at the reception are at your disposal, and answer all your questions about your business and your stay. The base is the only basis Axat near Cathar castles and one hour from the city of Carcassonne. Elle is originally from the famous procession of Pierre Lys, cradle of early kayak in this valley twenty years ago. The base is next to the famed "roundabout bear" crossroads directions Capcir, Perpignan and Quillan. Discover or rediscover the raft descents, or the white water swimming, canyoning and other outdoor activities, supervised by professionals....
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At 4 kms away from the village of Mijanès, on the sides of Canrusc mountain between 1500 and 2000 meters high, the winter ski resort of Mijanès-Donezan is a real option to the next big resorts. It is rather family-orientated but it draws more and more friends of the environment and lovers of nature...
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Montaillou is a small village in the remote Sabarthès area
where Catharism was revived in the fouteenth century. In 1318 the whole village
was arrested on the orders of the bishop of Pamiers, Jacques Fournier, who had
been the Cistercian Abbot of Fontfroide and who now felt a vocation as an
Inquisitor. Exceptionally, he was interested in the truth about Catharism, and
he kept records of the interrogations. Even more exceptionally, years later he
was elected Pope (Benedict XII) so his records were preserved in the Vatican
archives. These records form the basis of a book about the village by Emmanuel
Le Roy Ladurie. The centuries-old church of the Notre Dame of Carnesses, an
intimate, warm spot, is idyllically located in the open landscape. The names on
the graves at the churchyard show that the people are apparently all descendants
of the Cathars. The fontcanal, the most important spring of medieval Montaillou,
still works. Today there is almost nothing left of the medieval village, except
for the foundations and a few walls. You get the best view of modern Montaillou
from the fontcanal that lies very close to the ruins....
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Located at the entrance of the village of Roquefort in Sault (direct access from Axat), Camping "Madres Pyrenees", open during the summer, offers vacationers an enabling environment for rest and quiet. Located just outside the stream Clarianelle, with a petanque, a barbecue and of course all the comforts required health, it is the perfect setting for a holiday with family or friends....
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The Patrimony House of Donezan has been fit out in the building of the ancient stables of the castle of Usson. It is the natural showcase of the whole heritage of the land of Donezan . It offers to the visitors the most complete and possible panorama of the diversity of the historical richness that this little Pyrenean territory treasures up. Access : you can find a parking lot at the foot of the castle, on the left of the D 16 at the river side. A rest and picnic area has been equipped, the access to the keep is possible only on foot, plan about 15 minutes walk...
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Auberge du Donezan -
Les 4 Saisons |
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The Auberge du Donezan is family run since 2005. The hotel has nine rooms, a restaurant with 30 seats and a summer terrace. A room for bicycles is available as well as skis.
The restaurant new decor, we offer a traditional cuisine with local seasonal dishes and a map of Pizzas (25) over a wood fire. In summer, salads of dandelions (spring), grilled, sauteed mushrooms, are the delight of gourmets.
Cheese specialties such as fondue Volume soared to the country (cheese Monastery "Our Lady of Donezan"), the Pyrenees tartiflette cheese and charcuterie the country, the Supreme trout fillet au gratin are part of our map all seasons. We prefer French poultry and meats: veal, beef and lamb in the country.
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