Peyrepertuse is a ruined fortress and one of the Cathar castles of the Languedoc located high in the French Pyrénées in the commune of Duilhac-sous-Peyrepertuse, in the Aude département.

It was associated with the Counts of Narbonne and Barcelona. It stands at 800m high.

The name of Peyrepetuse derived from Occitan and means Pierced Rock.

The castle was built on a strategic location by the kings of Aragon (lower) in the 11th Century and by Louis IX (higher) later on. The two castles are linked together by a huge staircase. The castle lost importance as a strategic castle when the border between France and Spain was moved in 1659, causing the castle to be abandoned.

The castle ruins are impressive, set high on a defensive mountainous crag.  Even from the approach road it is difficult to see where the rock stops and the castle starts.  There are in fact two castles here, the later one added to an original, pre-French one. 

The lower castle was built by the kings of Aragon in the 11th century on a site dominating the Corbières and the sea.  The main part, resembles the prow of a ship, running along the top of an 800m (2,600 ft) high crag.  It houses the church of Sainte-Marie and the governor's residence.

It was never subjected to attack during the Crusade against the Cathars.  Nevertheless, it was surrendered to the French Crusaders 22nd of May 1217, reclaimed again as the balance of power chamged, but surrendered definitively in November 1240, towards the end of the fighting. 

Louis IX ("Saint Louis") appreciated the value of its defensive position.  He built the higher castle of San Jordi. (Saint George) further along the ridge.  It includes the chapel and the donjon San Jordi.  The two buildings are linked by the huge staircase of Saint Louis and surrounded by a curtain wall.  The staircase is flight of more than 60 steps carved from the rock, winding from the curtain wall to the citaldel. 

This is one of the "Five Sons of Carcassonne", along with Queribus,  Termes,  Aguilar, Peyrepertuse and Puilaurens: five castles strategically placed to defend the French border against the Spanish. The fortress was garrisoned with only fifteen or so men (governor, sergeants, lookouts, and men-at-arms). It lost all strategic importance after the Treaty of the Pyrenees in 1659 when the border was moved even further south to its present position along the crest of the Pyrenees.  Its importance declined and it was abandoned altogether at the time of the French Revolution. 

The castle of Peyrepertuse was listed as a historic monument in 1908.  Self-guided visits (Audioguide optional and extra), guided visit by prior arrangement (duration: 1h30)  February to April 10am to 6pm.   
May to June and September 10am to 7pm.   
July and August 9am to 8pm.   
October to December 10am to 6pm.   

The castle lies on a 730 meter high rock and when the weather is clear you can see the Mediterranean Sea from it.

People have been living on the site of castle Peyrepertuse since Roman times. The castle is first mentioned in 1050.

Peyrepertuse lies at   42°52'01" N,   2°33'25" E.

Google map showing Château de Peyrpertuse

Further details or booking: +33 (0)6 71 58 63 36.  A track leaves the village and leads to the foot of the impressive cliff on which Peyrepertuse was built (1 hour's walk).  Altewrnatively You can reach the car-park at the foot of the castle by car.  From the Car park (and ticket-office) you walk for 20 minutes on a winding path through box trees and evergreen oaks. 

Falconry. Throughout the summer season (and during the annual medieval festival in August) Patrice Potier flies his birds up at the top of the hill in the castle here. Click on the folowwing link for more information on hawking in the Languedoc.