Châteaux de Peyrepertuse et de Quéribus
The châteaux de Peyrepertuse and de Quéribus are definitely the most dramatic of the ruins in Cathar country. Seen at its best from the village of Rouffiac-des-Corbières, Peyrepertuse is the least ruined of the Corbières area's castles. It's built on a rocky crest. As you discover when you climb up (take a deep breath!), the ruins of two castles are spread along a long ridge. The upper one has never been accessible except on foot, as the steps cut in the rock to it are too steep even for mules. You can wander round the remains of their courtyards, towers and arches and have a great view of the surroundings.
Passing the village of Cucagnan, dominated by its mill, you come across the hill, on which high top you can see yet another famous ruined castle, that of Quéribus. From a distance it's hard to believe there's any way up, but a steep, exhilharating, rocky path leads to this "eagle's nest". The ruins are a maze of passages, staircases and doorways with a high vaulted wall supported by a sturdy pillar in the centre.
