FRONTIER WARS
Clustered on a rocky crest of the Corbières, at a height of 790 metres, the castle is a stronghold which is barely distinguishable from the bare rock which supports it. “Located in a key position between the French Languedoc and the Kingdom of Aragon, its strategic position has been responsible for its long and tormented history. The Romans had already occupied the site (as testified by recent archaeological discoveries), reference to the first castle only dates back to the 9th century, when it was cited as the fortress of the Catalan count Besalù, and which passed into the hands of the King of Aragon in 1020. In 1217, in the midst of the Crusades against the Albigesians, William of Peyrepertuse, the lord of the time, personally submitted to Simon de Montfort, who guided the French expedition, but the castle remained under the dominion of the Kingdom of Aragon until 1239, when it was sold to Louis IX king of France. However the subsequent year the young count of Trencavel was given shelter here who, together with other rebellious Occitane lords, the “faidit”, had attempted to re-conquer Carcasssonne. However the castle was soon overrun by Jean de Beaumont, for the French crown.
Major work was involved in the construction of this royal fortress: the initial building was reinforced, and the castle of St. George was added (the “High Castle”). Further walled barriers being added to the eastern side. Peyrepertuse further enhanced its defensive position, along the border with the realm of Aragon, with a small garrison ; until the treaty of the Pyrenees which shifted the border towards the South in 1659: Like Quéribus it was to experience decline and abandonment, before rediscovery and restoration in the last decades.

IMPOSING STRONGHOLD
Peyrepertuse, was a typical example of Medieval military style, and formed part of the defensive system developed by the “five sons of Carcassonne”, together with Quéribus, Aguilar, Termes and Piilaurens.
It is undoubtedly the most spectacular and largest of the five: 300 metres in length, with an internal surface area of over one hectare. Second only to Carcassonne, this stronghold is of interest more by virtue of its military features rather than its artistic ones. Two churches were in fact built in two different periods, but little remains: the Romanesque one, that belonged to the lower castle only retaining a part of the apse. Of particular note are the steps of Saint Louis, which lead to the High Castle: consisting of sixty steps etched into the rock and suspended in air. The climbing of these steps is a risky business and not permitted on wet or windy days to prevent the risk of accidents. A potential deterrent for the enemy.

PROVENÇAL RESISTANCE
“Venetz ambe nosaus seguir lo camin de l’Istoria…” these were the words of the Provençal poet Claudi Marti. This same historic route passes through Peyrepertuse Castle, following the footsteps of Raimondo Trencavel. Raimondo was only a child when Simon de Montfort took Carcassonne. His father, betrayed and captured was left to die in a cell of his own castle, and his mother had no choice but to negotiate with the conquerors. Growing up in exile beyond the Pyrenees, Raymond made revenge his object. He returned to Carcassonne during the 1224 revolt, before being subsequently expelled by the new crusades. He reappeared in 1240 and directed the revolt of the provençal “faidits”, he attacked Caracassonne but succeeded only in capturing the hamlet outside the town walls. Defeated, he took refuge here in Peyrepertuse, and from here started out for his last exile in the Catalan lands, without any hope of return. All traces of Raimondo were lost. The Trencavel family disappeared with him, eradicated by history like much of the Provençal aristocracy. To be replaced by the Northern barons, who came to stay.