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A Year at a Glance in the Area in 2013 JANUARY
At the beginning of January after the celebration
of St Sylvestre on 31st December, France celebrates Epiphany which is held on 6th January. It celebrates
the coming of the Magi (wisemen) to Bethlehem. This marks the end of Christmas festivities but strangely enough Christmas
decorations tend to remain in place until the end of January in some places! The tradition in France is to enjoy a Gateau
de Roi which contains a little porcelain figure (usually religious called a "fevre"). The cake is cut into pieces
and whomever receives the fevre wears a paper golden crown (usually sold with the cake). This cake can be made of brioche
or sometimes frangipani.
Limoux Carnival
FEBRUARY During February there are the usual open air markets, but above all else this is the best
time of year to going ski-ing in the Ariege.
The resorts of Ax Bonascre - Les Trois Domaines, Les Monts D'Olmes, Ascou Pailhes,
Plateau de Beilles are some of the main resorts (more information on winter sports are listed below). There is downhill
and cross country ski-ing, raquettes walking, tobboganing and husky sledging available in the Pyrenees.
MARCH / APRIL
Limoux Carnival
finishes
Festival of Swing at Mirepoix where one can enjoy jazz and dancing in the large medieval square.
MAY 1st May
- Labour day (partial bank holiday in France).
8th May - VE Day. (bank holiday)
Ascension
Day (bank hoiday)
Whit Sunday - Pentecost
Whit Monday - Pentecost Monday
JUNE
Transhumance at Lasserre - St Girons - Seix
Fete at St Jean du Falga.
Fete
at La Tour du Crieu
JULY
14th July - Fete Nationale, Bastille Day -
This is a national holiday throughout the whole of France. Many towns celebrate this day with town or village "fetes"
and fireworks are traditionally let off to mark the occasion of the "storming of the Bastille".
Fete
at Prat Bonrepaux Fete at Montegut Plantaurel
Fete at
Lapenne
Fete at Rieux de Pelleport
Fete at Les Pujols
Fete at St Victor Rouzaud
Fete at Loubieres
Fete du quartier du
Mayral at Mirepoix
Fete des Mazeres
Fete du Village at Lescousse
Festival of Jazz at Foix
AUGUST
Fete at Artix
Fete at Verniolle
Fete at Rieucros
15th August - Assumption
of the Blessed Virgin Mary (bank holiday).
Fete at Le Fossat
Fete at Saverdun Local fete
Towards the end of August Pamiers fete in the
Place de la Republique & the Castella. There are fairground rides and other entertainment in the centre of Pamiers.
The Grand Prix Petanque (boules) tournament is held in Place Milliane which is a large event and people come
far and wide to win the big prize.
September Fete at Escosse
In the last week of August there is a Fete du Cassoulet predominantly held at Castelnaudray which is
reputedly where Cassoulet originated. This is a traditional dish with pork sausages, duck legs and thick bacon cooked
in a delicious sauce with white haricot beans. Not for the faint hearted!
SEPTEMBER
Fete du village at Le Carlaret
Nut Festival at Lavelanet. This fete pays hommage to the Ariegeoise rural life, culture and gastronomy.
Exhibitions, animations and shows for children.
OCTOBER In early October, the village
of Le Maz D'Azil holds "Fete de la Figue" - fig festival. They sell fig jam, sweets, recipes and other
aritisan products.
Saverdun the "Chocolate Room." Meet the local and regional chocolatier artisans.
Tasting and buying available and produce for winter festivities will also be for sale.
During the months of September & October there are various concerts to celebrate the
music of Gabriel Fauré, the famous French music composer who was born in the centre of Pamiers.
In October & November there are various Autumn Theatrical
events held in and around Pamiers.
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See an article on the Fete de Pommes in Mirepoix |
In the 3rd week of October an apple festival
is held in the beautiful town of Mirepoix, and apple sculptures litter the central square to celebrate the apple harvest.
NOVEMBER
1st November
- All Saints Day (Toussaint) (bank holiday). 11th
November - Armistice Day (Armistice 1918)
In Mirepoix in early November there is usually a brocante and tree fair with autumnal trees
on display.
Towards the end of November,
Manses celebrates their Autumn fete with chesnuts, warm wine and an evening meal in their Salles des Fetes.
DECEMBER The Foire Au Gras is held at Verniolle at the beginning
of December and in mid December in the town of Mazeres.
In the large medieval town of Foix various Christmas celebrations occur between 16th and 24th
December.
A traditional English Carol service
is held in the Mirepoix cathedral in mid December. People of all nationalities attend the service - it is conducted
in English and French.
Depending on the snow, the ski season in the Pyrenees starts just before Christmas.
A great way to spend Christmas day and the slopes are not crowded.
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Information on the Cathars
More about the Cathars
The
Cathars
A name given to a religious movement which appeared in the
Midi-Pyrenees and Languedoc regions of France and other parts of Europe in the 11th century and flourised in the 12th and
13th century. The Cathar movement was extinguished early in the 13th century by the Albigensian Crusade.
The term “Cathar” identifies a movement, whether they called themselves
Cathars at the time is debateable. They are sometimes referred to as Les Bons Hommes (“Good men”) or Les Bons
Chrétiens (“Good Christians“). They believed in 2 principles, a good creator god and his evil adversary,
rather like God and Satan. They practised a range of ceremonies, but did not accept priesthood or the use of church buildings.
There was a division of people who were ordinary believers who led fairly ordinary medieval lives and the inner “Elect
of Parfaits” (men) and “Parfaites” (women) who worked for a living in trades like weaving etc. They believed
in reincarnation, refused to eat meat or animal products and were strict about biblical injunctions regarding those living
in poverty, not telling lies, not killing and not swearing oaths. They generally regarded men and women as equals and had
no objection to contraception, euthanasia or suicide. It could be considered that Catharism and Catholicism were polar opposites.
The origin of Catharism is a bit of a mystery but it is believed their ideas
came from Persia by way of the Byzantine Empire, the Balkans and Northern Italy. Roman
Catholics still refer to the Cathar belief as “The Great Heresy”, though the official Catholic position is that
Catharism is not Christian at all.
The region was famous at the time for its high culture, tolerance and liberalism,
the Cathar religion took hold and gained many followers in the 12th century. By the early 13th century Catharism was
probably the majority religion in the area and was followed by nobility and common
people alike. This upset the Catholic Church which considered the feudal system to be the preferred choice of religion and
the natural order of things. The Cathar religion appeared to ridicule the Catholic doctrine and practices and characterised
the Catholic as the “Church of Wolves.” The Catholics accused Cathars of heresy or apostasy and said they belonged
to the “Synagogue of Satan.”
The Pope, Innocent III called for
a formal crusade against the Cathars in the Languedoc with several military leader to head of its Holy Army. One of these
was the Cistercian Abbot, Arnaud Amaury remembered for his quote “Kill them all. God will know his own.” The second
was Simon de Montfort, the father of another Simon de Montfort, the prominent figure in English parliamentary history.
Pays Cathare
This
means “Cathar Country” which highlights the Cathar Heritage and history of the region where Catharism was traditionally
the strongest religion. The area is centred around fortresses: Montségur and Carcassonne. Many fortresses are still
visible today although many are in ruins.
Many promoted Cathar Castles were
not actually built by the Cathars, e.g. Queribus & Peyrepertuse, but were where Cathars sought refuge. Many considered
the County of Foix to be the veritable centre of Catharism.
Local Cathar Sites
See the local Cather sites from the air including Montsegur, Montaillou, Foix, Lordat, Roquefixade,
Dun, Vals, Saint Felix de Rieutord and Mirepoix. For a 30 minute flight over these sites from the little airport at
Les Pujols near Pamiers, the cost is 65 Euros for 1 adult and child or 90 Euros for 2-3 adults. (Maximum capacity 3
adults). Telephone 48 hrs in advance on 0561 686060 to book. Flying only possible in good weather conditions.
Chateau de Montsegur Link
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Chateau Montsegur on the top of the mountain |
Chateau de Montsegur
is famous for his fort and was one of the last strongholds of the Cathars. The present fortress although being depicted as
one of the "Cathar castles" is actually of a later period. The original castle was entirely pulled down by the victorious
royal French forces after its capture in 1244. Amazingly, it was gradually rebuilt and upgraded over the next three centuries
by royal forces. It has been listed as a "monument historique" in 1862 by the French Ministry of Culture.
The fort is perched at 1207m (3000 feet) above sea level
and sits on a rock formation known as a "pog" which is derived from the Occitan words "pueg" or "puog"
meaning peak, hill or mountain. It is believed
that there was human settlement in the area in the Stone Age period, 80,000 years. There is also evidence of Roman occupation;
Roman currency and tools have been found around the site. In the Middle Ages Montsegur was ruled by the Counts of Toulouse,
the Viscounts of Carcassonne and then the Counts of Foix. In 1243/44 the Cathars were besieged at Montsegur at the end of
the Albigensian Crusade by 10,000 French troops. The Cathars finally surrended in March 1244 and about 220 were burned in
a large bonfire at the foot of the hill when they refused to renounce their faith. A short time before the fall of Montsegur it is believed that the some of the Cathars apparently
slipped through French lines and carried away a mysterious "treasure." It has never been discovered what it was
or what became of it, but there is much speculation that it might have actually been the Holy Grail. Montsegur is often named
the Holy Grail castle because a book named Parzival written by Wolfram von Eschenbach talks about a castle Monsalvat, similar
to Montsegur with the same meaning "safe mountain, secure mountain." More can be read about Montsegur and
the Holy Grail in the book written by Dan Brown, "The Da Vinci Code." There is also belief that Montsegur has solar alignment characteristics which is said to be visible
on the morning of the summer solstice. Allegedly this solar phenomenon occurs in an alignment of two windows in the fortress
wall. This has not be scientifically surveyed, measured, recorded or confirmed. There was also a 13 year archeological excavation
at Montségur between 1964 and 1976 and there was no trace within the current ruin of the first fortress which was abandoned
before the 13th century, nor of the one built by Raymond de Péreille around 1210. However, small ruins of
the terraced dwellings immediately outside the current fortress walls on the northeasten flank showed up traces of authentic
former Cathar habitations.
Chateau de Montaillou Link
Montaillou or
Montalhon in Occitan is a small village in Sabarthès area of the Ariege. Montaillou was one of the last bastions of
the Albigensian heresy and the Bishop of Pamiers, Jacques Fournier launched an extensive inquisition to search out Cathars
over a 30 year period from 1294 until 1324. . In 1318 the whole village was arrested on the orders of the bishop. Fournier retained the records of the inquisition and when he became Pope he took them to the Vatican in Rome which
is where they remain today. The
Château de Montaillou stands as a ruin in the village standing on the slope of Mount Allion – it has been made
famous in Emmanuel Le Roy Ladurie’s book, "Montaillou, village Occitan." The chateau was built by
the lords of Alion at the end of the 12th century. There is not much left of the ruin to be seen is a ruined tower,
evidence of walls of the keep and a part of a curtain wall which surrounded the courtyard. Dry moats to the north and east
provided defence and the very steep southern slope was sufficient. Bernard d’Alion, one of the lords of Alion, paid hommage to the King of France in 1226 but his sympathies
still remained with the Cathars. He married Esclarmonde who was the daughter of Roger IV, Count of Foix in 1236. In 1258,
Bernard was condemned by the Inquisition as a Cathar and burned alive in Perpignan. The castle was then take by of Roger IV,
Count of Foix and became a frontier fortress between the County of Foix and the French King’s land and Aragon. At the
end of the 13th century, the Count increased the thickness of the walls of the castle, it survived the Albigensian
Crusade but fell into disrepair later. The Château de Montaillou became listed as a "monument historique"
in 1984.
Foix (see "Nearby Towns & Villages")
Chateau de Lordat link
Chateau
de Lordat at Lordat in the Ariege is perched high above the Ariege valley with views towards the St Bathelemy mountains.
The beginning of the construction of this chateau wsa in the 9th & 10th centuries and the reason for its location
was to guard the mountain passes which led to Spain. There are ruins which are visible today, which date back to the
10th & 11th centuries. The Chateau was expanded in the 13th century during the Crusade agains the Cathars.
The crusaders were not able to destroy the Chateau de Lordat and it remained in relative peace as a Cathar stronghold and there
is evidence which suggests there was a Cathar cemetary nearby the Chateau
After the Treaty of Paris, the Count
of Foix was forced to give the Chateau to the French Crown for 5 years. Resurgence of the Cathar movement led by Pierre
Authie made the Chateau an important site in the early 19th century.
The French fortified the Chateau in the 14th
century but soon after lost its military significance. This is a site worth visiting, even though to see the ruins and
the spectacular flying eagles.
Chateau de Rocquefixade Link
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Chateau Roquefixade |
Chateau de Roquefixade
is a ruined castle built on a steep limestone cliff above the village of Roquefixade 8kms west of Lavelanet in the Ariege.
Its impressive and precarious position is evident as you approach the village of Roquefixade and from it there are magnificent
views towards the Pyrenees.
The Chateau was first built in the 11th century and strengthened in 1270 during the
reign of Philip the Bold and strategically placed over the roads which link Foix and Mirepoix. It only became an important
landmark in the 13th century, when it became a Cathar stronghold. The Lord of Montsegar, Raymond de Pereille married
Corba de Lanta whose family owned the Chateau. In 1218, when Simon de Montfort died (who led the opposition against
the Cathars), the Cathars regained their strength. The King of France at this time, Louis VIII was determined to weaken
the Cathar's position and eventually he succeeded.
In 1229, the Counts of Toulouse signed the Treaty of Paris
with the French Crown. The Chateau of Roquefixade did not play a majorly important role in the Crusade, it did become
a retreat for the Cathar hereticts after the Treaty was signed.
At the end of the 13th century the French Crown
took control and possession of the Chateau and installed an army there. In 1632 the French King ordered the demolition
of the castle and all what we see today, is what was left after this.
The Chateau de Dun is
located on a hill on the outskirts of the village of Dun on the right bank of the Douctouyré river.
There isn't any real access except across a field of cows or horses, but it is possible to get to the ruin. The
ruin is shrouded in thick vegetation and trees, but is more easily seen in the winter months when there are no leaves on the
trees. There is a ditch surrounding it (presently filled with brambles) but a rampart is clearly visible.
First
mention of the Chateau de Dun is in 1040 and it is thought to be one of the first fortified towns of the county of Foix.
Count Bernard de Foix died in 1934 and his son Roger I, made an oath to Pierre Bishop of Gironne his paternal uncle, to acquire
castles and lands of Carcacassone as well as Dun.
Vals (see "Nearby Towns & Villages")
Saint Felix de Rieutord, the village was mentioned in the 12th century when its chateau was
under dispute between the Count of Foix and the Abbey of Saint Antonin of Pamiers because it was one of the Abbey's freeholds.
The village has been fortified sometime during history as the streets have a circular layout of an enclosure.
It was attacked at the same time as Dalou and Varilhes by the Protestants in 1621. According to historical documents
on Pailhes, there is quoted an existance of the castle in 1160 and it was included in the Languedoc Parish in 1308.
The Parish of Allemans contained Villeneuve, Ludies, Saint-Amadou, Le Carlaret and Saint Felix de Rieutord which were held
by the king and the Bishop of Pamiers.
The Cathare Way or "Le
Sentier de Cathare"
From Port-La-Nouvelle via Durban-Corbieres,
Tuchan, Duilhac-sous-Peyrepertuse, then towards Nebias (via two different routes), Puivert, Espezel/Belvis, Comus, Montsegur,
Roquefixade and then to Foix.
Link to the Cathare Way or Le Sentier Cathare (in English)
Le Chemin des Bon Hommes or des Bons
Chretiens (Route GR107)
From Foix, via Roquefixade, Montferrier, Montsegur,
Prades, Montaillou, Sorgeat, Ascou, Orgeix, Merens-Les-Vals, L'Hospitalet-pres-L'Andorre on into Spain to Berga.
Link to Le Chemin des Bons Hommes
Links to Books and Maps of the area
Go to the top of the page
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