THE TORCHLIGHT PARADE COMMEMORATING THE PROVENÇAL RESISTANCE
The four castles of Lastours, positioned at almost an equal distance between each other, are situated on a rocky height, a few kilometres to the north of Carcassone, at the meeting point of two rivers, on the actual road leading from the town to the important mineral sites of the Montagne Noire.
It was these mineral sites which first prompted the foundation of such buildings: the Volsci Tectosagi left their mark, as did the Romans. Written reference to the castles existing only from the 9th century. What is known is that from the 12th century the lords of Cabaret were the vassals of the Viscounts of Carcassone. Whilst they were bound to the church at the start of this century (granting pasture rights to the Abbey of Frontfroide), only a few decades later they were clearly united with the Catharist heresy movement. It is possible to identify the names of many “prefects” who stayed there before the Crusade. Others took refuge here at a later date and protected against persecution. Their presence being recorded as early as 1229, over twenty years after the first descent of the Crusades!
The lords of Cabaret resisted these crusades effectively as from 1209, when the Duke of Burgundy attempted an unsuccessful assault immediately after the capture of Carcassone. A further attempt was repulsed in 1227, the resistance movement ended in 1229 and the castles came under the hands of the King of France. It experienced changing fortunes during the Wars of Religion in the 16th century, then inconstant occupation until the French Revolution after which it was abandoned. It has been protected as a Historic monument since 1905.

FOUR FORTRESSES AND MANY CONJECTURES
The lengthy occupation of the castles of Lastours, resulted in many subsequent re-adjustments, therefore making it difficult to date them. It is not even certain that the castles of today correspond to those of the crusade period. Of the four fortresses the most imposing is that of Cabaret, on which the polygonal tower rests against a semi-rectangular section. A long wall, surmounted by a sentry path, protects it on three sides. Arched wall remains are still visible as well as two large tanks.
The massive Tour Régine is also attractive, surmounted by a dome. But it is the site as a whole which is particularly alluring, with its four fortresses which etch the landscape dotted with cypress trees. It can be best admired from the Belvedere, especially during the “son et lumière” summer events.

PROTECTORS OF CATHARIST HERESY
Who were the lords of Cabaret? Was Pierre-Roger, the glorious battle companion of Trencavel, a heretic or only a protector of heretics? What is certain that one of his lieutenants Raymond de Cabaret was a Catharsit, and was condemned as a heretic in 1240. It also being certain that Cabaret was a hive of resistance against the Northern armies. Originating in years of battles conducted in the Cabardès, in the Caracasson area and in Corbières.This was where many “prefects”(male and female) lived and preached (such as Arnaud Hot, Pons Bernardi, Caracassonne Marti, Guiraud Abith, to name but a few). Archaeological finds seem to point to the presence of an operational presence beneath the fortresses: which were perhaps those craft workshops used by the Catharists to sustain their livelihood and that of others. What is certain was that the village was abandoned with great haste. Some coins left by the fleeing parties, would seem to point to the fact that the event occurred at the time in which this haven of heretic and warriors became a military stronghold of the King of France.