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Castle of Villerouge-Termenès
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In the heart of the village, witness to the burning of Bélibaste, the last Cathar "perfectus”
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Totally restored, this castle is a remarkable example of military architecture, essentially from the 13th century. A tower occupies each comer of this rectangular fortified building. Twentyfive metres over the stream called Le Lou, the massive south-east tower was probably the keep. At the top of the curtain walls there is a guards' walk, part of which is covered. Access to the monument is from the northern side over a ramp preceded by a fortified gate decorated with the coat-ofarms of the archbishop Bernard de Farges. The castle, which has three construction periods, dates mainly from the 13th century.
Inside the castle there is an audiovisual guided tour called "The World of Guilhem Belibaste, the last Cathar Perfectus”. It traces the crossed destinies of Bélibaste and Bernard de Fage, explains Catharism, the power of the Narbonne bishopric and daily life at Villerouge-Termenès during the 14th century. During this sceno-graphic tour, over three levels and in three languages (French, English, Spanish), the visitor is taken back 700 years in history. Audios, videos, costumed models and examples of frescoes animate the visit.
The castle wing facing this original scenographic tour is reserved for the "Rotisserie Médiévale” restaurant which proposes menus from the 13th, 14th and 15th centuries. The recipes have been researched by historians and medieval specialists (unique in Europe).
A line of medieval tableware, from presentday designers, is available in the castle. The tableware is based on an archeointerpretation of vestiges found in Languedoc-Roussillon.
To finish, by wandering through the small lanes of the village of Villerouge-Termenès, you will come across the medieval heritage garden and Saint-Etienne's church with its entirely restored 16th century reredos which retraces the life and martyrdom of Saint-Etienne (Saint Stephen).
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Château de Villerouge Termenès
11 330 Villerouge Termenès
phone: (+0033) 04.68.70.09.11
fax: (+0033) 04.68.70.04.37
E-mail: chateau.villerouge@wanadoo.fr
Site : www.villerouge.fr
Take the D03 up to Lagrasse then the D23
At 15 minutes of Lagrasse, 15 minutes of Termes and at 30 minutes of Fontfroide
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