One of the most eventful sieges of the Crusade against the Albigensians

In the heart of a wild and distorted land, on a spectacular rock promontory, the ruins of the castle of Termes, a listed Historical Monument, dominate the Termenet gorges to the north and the village to the east.          The visit of the site starts from the charming village: walk around in the flowered lanes, enjoying the cool on the banks of the small stream, you will appreciate the atmosphere of this remote village where the rhythm of life is different.            Don't miss the village church, its opening hours are the same as at the castle.           A traditional house shelters the ticketoffice/ boutique of the castle. As with the other "Cathar Country” sites, a "Cultural Landmark' brochure is provided. You may also borrow a "Visitor's guide book”, complementary to the explanation signboards at the castle. Children receive a quiz to animate their visit.          Thus prepared, you may start your walk up to the site, passing between green oaks and surrounded by the smells of the garrigue vegetation.         Termes was at first a Castrum, a fortified village with two boroughs, below a fortified castle. This feudal past is illustrated during the walk uphill as you come to a very eroded wall which is all that is left of the first outer wall dating from 1210.          Further on, you accede to the castle through a ditch which used to defend the first of the two concentric curtain-walls forming the royal fortress. The lower curtain-wall is better conserved: some parts have kept their original height, giving an idea of the general profile of the castle of Termes, with, in particular, its postern gate overlooking the gorges.        The second curtain-wall, in worse repair, is composed of different elements cleared of rubble by archaeologists, the remains of the destroyed keep, and more importantly, the castral chapel. When closer you will see its two Romanesque openings, one of which is in a cruciform shape. This window in the shape of a cross has become the symbol of the castle.       Take advantage of your visit to admire the village (village de caractère), as well as Termenet and Coynepont gorges, listed as protected natural sites: round-trip walking tours circle the site. On the road to Lagrasse, admire, from the road, the castle of Durfort, and make a stop at the Pre-Romanesque church (10th century) of Saint Martin des Puits. On the road to Arques, you will go through the Orbieu gorges.

	Château de Termes 11 330 Termes phone / fax: (+0033) 04.68.70.09.20 E-mail: chateau.termes@payscathare.org Site : www.chateau-termes.com Take the N113 up to Trebes, then the D3 towards Lagrasse, then the D212 and the D40