CHÂTEAU DE PUIVERT
One of the Cathar castles in the Aude hinterland, consisting of a ruined castle with remains and a 14th-century castle that
Château de Puivert is one of the castles of the Pays Cathare, in the Aude hinterland, classified as a historic monument in 1907. Privately owned, it comprises a 12th-century château, the remains of which are still visible, and a 14th-century château, one of the best-preserved. In the 11th and 12th centuries, it belonged to the Congost family, lords of Puivert and protectors of Catharism, and in 1210 became the property of Lambert de Thury (companion of Simon de Monfort). At the beginning of the 14th century, a new château was built, and the exquisitely sculpted decorations of the musicians' room in the keep bear witness to its use as a seigneurial residence, where an important gathering of troubadours from the Pays d'Oc is said to have met in 1170. Access is via a square gate tower, originally equipped with eight flanking towers, five of which remain in excellent condition to this day. The keep, originally adjoining the seigneurial dwelling, has four magnificent vaulted rooms and has retained its full height (35 m), with the interior virtually intact. There are four floors, occupied by the chapel or the musicians' room reserved for receptions. The vaulted ceilings are crowned by eight historiated arches depicting characters playing different musical instruments - unusual for a military fortress! The castle's immense bailey is a reminder of the tournaments and jousts so dear to the Knights. Thanks to its exceptional assets, it has been used as the setting for films such as "The Ninth Gate" starring Johnny Depp.
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La visite est libre, ce qui permet d'aller et venir à son rythme, guidé par des panneaux explicatifs.