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In the center of the village of Villerouge, in the Langedouc region of France, is the ancient castle of Termenes. The Villerouge-Termenes castle is known as the home of the last known Cathar Prefect Guilhem Belibasate, who was burned at the stake during the Catholic crusades of the 13th century. The Albigensian Crusades, as they are known, were ordered by Pope Innocent III.
During those crusades, thousands of Cathars were burned at the stake. In the city of Beziers alone, thousands were killed. History records the infamous words of Arnaud Amaury, when asked whether to kill both Catholics and Cathars, responded: "Kill them all; God will recognize his own". He later reported to Pope Innocent III that "neither age, nor sex, nor status had been spared, and nearly twenty thousand people perished."
This should be a lesson to everyone regarding the dangers of religious fanaticism... |
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At about 50 km south-east of Carcassonne, the Villerouge-Termènes chateau is the High Corbières Mediterranean gateway. Its imposing mass in the centre of the village speaks volumes as to its importance in regional medieval politics. The first records, show that from the 12th Century until the revolution it was under the ownership of the powerful archbishopric of Narbonne. However, during this time the chateau was actually subject to several occupations.
In 1107, Pope Pascal II confirmed possession of the chateau to the hands of archbishop Richard, despite the fact that the chateau was and had been occupied by Pierre de Peyrepertuse since 1070, who had given it to Pierre Olivier de Termes as part of the dowry when Pierre Olivier married his daughter. It wasn’t until 1110 that the Termes family agreed to return the chateau to the archbishopric - but by 1227 the chateau was under control of the dreaded Simon de Montfort (leader of the Crusades against the Cathars).
The village is intimately linked to Catharism: it was here that the last Cathar parfait (priest), Guilhem Bélibaste, was burnt at the stake, formally putting and end to the Cathar religion. The village is also close to the beautiful abbeys of Lagrasse and Frontfroide.
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Opening Château Villerouge-Termenès:
- July - August - Every day
- from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- April to June - September to
15 October
- Every day from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- Continuously on weekends and public holidays
- 15 October to 1 November
- Every day from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- Continuously on
weekends and public
holidays
- 2 November to
15 December and March - Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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End of visits 1 hour before closing
- Annual closing in January
Equipments and Services:
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* Shop
* Pedagogical visits
* Individual guided tours
* Restaurant
* Group guided tours |
* Shop
* Pedagogical visits
* Individual guided tours
* Restaurant |
Château de Termes
Lagrasse
Gorges du Termenet
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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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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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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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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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Hotel Restaurant
La Fargo |
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Halfway between Narbonne and Carcassonne near the village
of St-Pierre-des-Champs and its château stands a beautiful, distinctive building
nestled against the garrigue, surrounded by hills, gardens and orchards cradled
by the Orbieu River and swaying to the pace of birdsong. In this haven of peace
and greenery, the bright, personalised, spacious rooms with a contemporary
South-East Asian-style décor, are an open invitation to a world of serenity.
Indoors, in a décor of light stone walls, La Fargo features an extensive dining
room with lounge, bar, fireplace and piano. The conformably-spaced round tables
create a warm, relaxed atmosphere...
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Rivière de
St Laurent de la Cabrerisse |
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Amidst a magnificent landscape of vineyards, pine forests, olive trees and garrigue (Mediterranean scrubland), our village stretches along the river Nielle.
Ideally located between Carcassonne and its famous fortified cité and Narbonne with both a remarkable cathedral and relaxing beaches to offer, our village deserves its double “label” of “Gate of the Hautes Corbieres” as well as “ Heart of the Corbieres-Minervois country”.
You are only a few minutes away from Lagrasse, which abbey and middle-age cobbled streets have earned it a place on the list of France’s most beautiful villages. And there is plenty more to see : the abbeys of Fontfroide and Caunes Minervois are well worth a visit, not to forget the Cathar history of the region with the castles of Termes, Villerouge Termenes, Aquilair, Minerves and many more “vertigo citadels” all within a short drive of the village. The Canal du Midi and the Cité of Carcassonne are both inscribed on the Unesco World Heritage List. They offer beautiful opportunities for a half-day or daytrip in the sun...
Saint Laurent de la Cabrerisse
6,5 km - Lagrasse
5,6 km - Fabrezan
4,8 km - Talairan
6,1 km - Thézan-des-Corbières
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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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Before visiting the
Sainte-Marie d'Orbieu abbey, start by strolling through the medieval town, this
charming place where you can admire, among other things, an old 14th-century
covered market with stone pillars, craft stalls. art, as well as a Gothic style
church listed as a Historic Monument. Then discover then, on the opposite bank
"Le Bastion". Fabien and Valentin are long-time friends, accomplices and
complementary. Both benefit from more than 10 years of experience in catering, a
growing reputation, a great know-how and a very good local and international
knowledge of the geographical and economic situation of Lagrasse. Une cuisine créative;
Plates that are sometimes creative or traditional, or take pride of place in local products, short supply chain, product freshness, respect for seasonality and the environment. A restaurant that mixes young vineyards and old bottles, or the gourmet cuisine of Auguste Escoffier mixes modern techniques with the greatest simplicity, as well as the influence of their travels...
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