After breakfast departure for Foix and a visit to its chateau, seat of the last count of Foix, Gaston Phoebus. Built on the site of VII and VIIIth century fortifications in 1034, the castle became the stronghold of the Count of Foix and played a significant role in Mediaeval military history. Over the following two centuries the castle played host to a number of heroic resistants of the Albigensian Crusade and gave refuge to many persecuted Cathars. Although frequently besieged, notable by Simon de Montfort (in 1211 and 1212), the fortress resisted every attack.
Onward to Montsegur. (Optional brisk climb up to castle). Montsegur : Seat and capital of the Cathar church. The famous siege of the citadel in 1244 lasted over 11 months before the 600 Cathars and soldiers within capitulated. 230 Cathars, unwilling to deny their faith, were burnt at the stake.
Lunch in a village auberge in Montsegur.
Departure for the mediaeval Bastide of Mirepoix to visit its superb Grand Place with fine half-timbered arcades and houses. Particularly fine sculpted wood facades dating from 1501 are to be found on the Maison de Justice and the Maison des Consuls: coiffured gentlewomen, bearded faces and tortoises. The tour continues to Carcassonne, stopping en route for wine-tasting at Limoux, home to a champagne-method sparkling white.
Dinner and overnight at a 3* chateau-hotel in Couiza.
 

Breakfast and departure for the Mediaeval Citadel – la Cite de Carcassonne – which is visited on foot. Entrance to the chateau Comtal in the heart of the citadel. Carcassonne was classed as a UNESCO World heritage site in 1997. Originally an Iron age oppidum the site was used in the 1st century for a Roman villa before re-appearing in the XIth century as a fortification belonging to the powerful Viscount Trencavel . During the Albigensian crusade new battlements were added as it became an emblem of Royal power. Next stop the four towers of Lastours 16 km north of Carcassonne: an archaeological complex comprising mediaeval castles, a working archaeological site and a museum/visitor centre explaining the strategic, religious and historical importance of the site.
Lunch at leisure. The afternoon is devoted to exploring Minerve in the Minervois wine region. Just 45 minutes away this extraordinary village perched on a limestone pedestal and surrounded by deep gorges in the Languedocien garrigue is classed as one of the 'Most Beautiful Villages of France'. But even its inaccessible location was not enough to spare its inhabitants from the wrath of the Albigensian crusade: in 1210 Simon de Montfort put its Cathar faithful to the sword. Return to Couiza through the Minervois vineyards.
Depart to Rennes-le-Chateau, small medieval castle village, known internationally for being at the centre of various conspiracy theories. In the 1950’s, a local restaurant owner had spread rumours of a hidden treasure found by a priest. The story achieved national fame and was expanded par various hoaxers who claimed that the priest, Father Sauniere, found a proof of secret society known as Priory of Sion. The story became the origin for hypotheses in documentaries and bestselling books such as The Da Vinci Code.
Dinner and overnight at the Ducs de Joyeuse***