Montségur
is steeped in such a sorrowful history that one can almost feel it as you pass the cross memorial and climb the winding path to its broken walls. It holds a special place in my heart. My husband, who was raised in Toulouse France, first brought me here and recounted its
tragic history. Now I've visited numerous times, taken our children and friends there, and each time I learn something new from the experience. The castle fort just previous to the one we can now see was impregnable until treachery breached its walls and brought about the deaths of hundreds of innocents, who were burnt at the stake. Of course this happened a very long time ago and even though the castle we see isn't the one razed by the powers that were at the time, the feeling of unjustness embodies it, as does the history of those who were persecuted, the
Cathars.
However, the side dwellings ruins plainly seen on the far side at the base of the walls are original to the Cathars. Montségur is as shrouded in legend as it is in the mists that often obscure it. Set in the
Pyrénées, if you are a history buff or a photographer, this place is a must see. It is a quiet area and off the beaten path. The village below the old castle on its rock-strewn knoll is quaint and a perfect place for a picnic. The hike up to the old fortified castle is steep so wear good footwear. If the day is clear, and sometimes even if it isn't, you will find the view is stunning and well worth the climb.
