Day 2821 (Thursday) 27th February 2025

It was lovely and sunny again today but it was still cold on the scooter going in to Nice. We shared a delicious kebab in the park and the carnival is still in swing.

The tortoise race has been replaced by this roundabout.

The atmosphere is great in the park

and they are using the blue chairs from the prom. 

From here we went up to Fort Alban to admire the view but there was a chilly wind up there so we didn’t stay very long: we never get tired of these views.

Built during the 16th century, the Mont-Alban fort was an essential link in the defence system of the maritime window of the States of Savoy.

Built between 1557 and 1560 under the leadership of the Duke of Savoy Emmanuel Philibert, the Fort du Mont Alban served as a border between the states of Savoy and Nice. Measuring 40 metres by 46 metres, this imposing rectangular monument has been occupied by military troops over the ages. Strategically located between the Château de Nice and the Citadel of Villefranche, it dominates the entire Côte d'Azur. From the tip of Bordighera to the Massif de l'Estérel, via Cap d'Ail, Saint-Jean Cap-Ferrat, the Baie des Anges and Nice and the Garoupe d'Antibes, the panorama from its terrace is simply incredible. In bright sunshine, some people can even see Corsica... The fort of Mont Alban has been listed as a Historic Monument since 1909 for the enclosure, 1913 for the walls and ditches surrounding it, then 1923 for the 250-metre area on which it is built.

8 must-visit castles in south-west France (you've probably never heard of)

This aerial photograph taken on March 27, 2024 shows the Chateau de Montsegur, a 13th century mountain-top castle in the Ariege department of southwestern France. (Photo by Ed JONES / AFP)

You have probably already heard of the Cité de Carcassonne, but what about the eight nearby castles which have now been nominated for UNESCO World Heritage status? Here's what you need to know about visiting the 'Cathar castles' in south-west France.

France's ministry of culture has announced the country's latest candidates for UNESCO World Heritage status. They will be the D-Day landing beaches in Normandy as well as the eight 'Cathar castles' of south-west France. UNESCO will decide in July 2026 whether they will join France's 53 other sites on the official World Heritage list.

While you may have already heard of the medieval Cité de Carcassonne, which became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997, the eight surrounding castles in the Aude and Ariège départements are worth a visit too, and are considerably less crowded than Carcassonne.

The French ministry of culture noted in its press release on Monday that the eight castles were "built on rocky peaks in grandiose landscapes" and they "illustrate a pivotal period in history and offer a unique example of military architecture, conferring on them an exceptional universal value".

Often called the 'Cathar castles', these structures are commonly associated with the persecuted religious group which lived in the Languedoc region (near modern day Toulouse and Carcassonne) between the 12th and 14th centuries.

During an exceptionally brutal period of history, the Cathar religious group - deemed heretics by the Catholic Church - were persecuted and largely exterminated, and the region eventually became part of the kingdom of France.

Over the years, the castles have become the centre of many legends surrounding the Cathars (also known as the Albigensians) and have featured in numerous books and films, including The Da Vinci Code.

Many of the castles are perched on hilltops or clifftops (a sensible defensive precaution), so they may require a short hike or walk to get there. People with reduced mobility should check in advance with the site, as not all are fully accessible. Some are only open during the summer months.

Lastours castles

Located about 15km from Carcassonne and 300m above the valleys of the Orbeil and Grésilhou rivers, the Lastours Châteaux now consists of four remaining castles which were originally built in the 11th century as the property of the lords of Cabaret.

They were significant locations for Cathar religious activity in the 13th century, hosting important members of the faith.

Ultimately, the Lastours Châteaux were destroyed in the 13th century to eliminate a refuge for the Cathars, but they were rebuilt as royal fortresses afterwards. 

The four remaining castles have been listed as French historic monuments since the 1905. More information about history and visiting on the Pays Cathare tourism site. Tickets cost €9, and opening hours depend on the time of year.

 

Termes castle

Famous for the long siege of 1210 during the Albigensian Crusade, the Termes castle overlooks the Termenet gorges, which you can visit too. The castle is generally closed during the winter months. 

 

Aguilar castle

Once the seat of a powerful Occitan knight, the castle was an important fortress in the French crown's line of defence against the kingdom of Aragon. Later, in the 16th century, the castle was taken by the Spanish army. Over time, it lost its strategic importance and fell to disrepair. 

It became a French historical site in 1949.

 

Peyrepertuse castle

Perched on a limestone cliff in the Corbières mountains, the Peyrepertuse castle offers a stunning view across the valley. Though beware - it is also known as the citadelle du vertige (citadel of vertigo). On a good day, you may even be able to see the Mediterranean. 

The nearby village of Duilhac has an equally fascinating history, having been passed between different feudal Lords until it became part of the Kingdom of France. The agrarian commune traditionally cultivated wine and olives.

Quéribus castle

At an altitude of 728m, sitting above the village of Cucugnan, the land that the Quéribus castle now stands on was once a fortified site owned by Chabert de Barbaira, a partisan of the King of Aragon who welcomed the Cathars. 

Eventually, he surrendered Quéribus to the King of France. Recent archeological excavations in the area have found ceramics that date back to the Iron Age. 

 

Puilaurens castle

The Puilaurens castle is one of the best preserved royal fortresses, at 697m in altitude. There are also several nearby activities, including a visit to the Galamus Gorges for rafting, canoeing or relaxing. 

The nearby village of Lapradelle-Puilaurens is also along the scenic 'red' train, or the Train du Pays Cathare et du Fenouillèdes, which runs from Rivesaltes to Axat in the summer months.

 

Montségur castle

Perhaps the most famous of the 'Cathar castles', Montségur (at 1,200m in elevation) was one of the last of the Cathar strongholds to be seized and razed by French Royal forces.

All sorts of legends and rumours swirl around this site, notably related to the Holy Grail and buried treasure, which Nazi leader Heinrich Himmler apparently took time out of World War II to investigate.