Château de Termes

The castle that held out against Simon de Montfort for four months

Besieged by the crusaders in 1210 for four months before the defenders surrendered once their water had run out. The ruin sits on a ridge above the village of Termes, with the wild Gorges du Terminet next to it.

The history of the Cathars

Raymond de Termes held the castle against Simon de Montfort for four months in 1210. When the water ran out and disease spread, the defenders tried to escape one night but were captured.

UNESCO World Heritage

Royal Capetian Fortresses of Languedoc

World Heritage since: 2026

Eight fortresses that the French kings built or rebuilt in the 13th and 14th centuries after the Albigensian Crusade, to hold the border with the Kingdom of Aragon: the castle in Carcassonne and seven sentinels on rocky ridges – Aguilar, Lastours, Montségur, Peyrepertuse, Puilaurens, Quéribus and Termes. They are often called Cathar castles, but the walls you see today are mostly the king's, built after the fall of the Cathars. World Heritage since July 2026.

Visit: All the castles charge an entrance fee and sit on steep summits – allow a 15–45 minute walk uphill in sun and wind. Peyrepertuse and Quéribus may close when the tramontane is blowing hard.

Open in the interactive map Directions Places to stay nearby Things to do Affiliate link

43.0022° N, 2.5567° E

Château de Termes

The history of the Cathars

UNESCO World Heritage

Royal Capetian Fortresses of Languedoc

Nearby

Links