Montségur castle (Fr. Château de Montségur) is a former fortress near Foix, a commune in the Ariège department in southern France (Occitania, Pyrenees). Its ruins are the site of a razed stronghold of the Cathars. The present fortress on the site, though described as one of the “Cathar castles,” is actually of a later period. It has been listed as a monument historique by the French Ministry of Culture since 1862.

This castle was established on the level site of the old fortified village which, until the siege of 1244, was a place of residence for the Cathars and the Faydits. The architectural dimensions show that the current castle was designed on the basis of the English “style” which was not introduced until later, which proves that it was partially rebuilt after the Cathar surrender of 1244 by the family of the new lord of the place, Guy II of Lévis.

In the first half of the 13th century, the fortress underwent no less than four sieges:

  • Guy de Montfort, brother of Simon IV de Montfort, made a first attempt in 1212,
  • Simon IV de Montfort led the second in 1213,
  • In July 1241, Raymond VII of Toulouse on the order of Louis IX began a siege,
  • The last led by Hugues des Arcis, Seneschal of Carcassonne.

Montségur fortress is located on top of a rocky spur at an altitude of 1,207 metres and can be reached by foot in 30 minutes. In addition to its medieval remains, it offers visitors a magnificent panoramic view over the village below and the surrounding scenery of the Pyrenees.

Working hours

Monday – Sunday: 9AM–7PM

How to get to?

From Paris: 7 hr 48 min (794 km) via A20

From Toulouse: 1 hr 30 min (118 km) via A66

From Andorra: 2 hr 6 min (118 km) via N20

From Barcelona: 3 hr 36 min (261 km) via C-16 and N20

From Madrid: 8 hr 7 min (775 km) via A-2

From Monaco: 5 hr 54 min (572 km) via A8

From Moscow: 36 hr (3,502 km) via E30/M1

From Belgrade: 18 hr 22 min (1,875 km) via E70

From Istanbul: 28 hr (2,825 km) via E70

From Bern: 8 hr 2 min (830 km) via A9

Tariffs

Individuals in low season
• Adults (from 16 years old): 5.50 €
• Children (from 8 to 15 years old): 3 €
• Members of an association approved by the municipality, unemployed, students, disabled people (1): € 4.50
• Children under 8, journalists and MINCULT agents (on presentation of the professional card), escorts and group drivers (20 paying tickets): free

Groups in low season
• Adults (from 16 years old / 20 people) (2): 4.50 €
• School outings (from 8 to 15 years old / 20 people) (2): 2.50 €

Individuals in high season (July / August)
• Adults (from 16 years old): 6.50 €
• Children (from 8 to 15 years old): € 3.50
• Members of an association approved by the municipality, unemployed, students, disabled people (1): 5.00 €
• Children under 8, journalists and MINCULT agents (on presentation of the professional card), escorts and group drivers (20 paying tickets): free

Groups in high season (July / August)
• Adults (from 16 years old / 20 people) (2): 5.00 €
• School (from 8 to 15 years old / 20 people) (2): 3.00 €

Guided tours
Individuals
Scheduled visits at a selected day and time, May to September (see Opening periods page) have no additional charges.

Groups (on reservation for the castle or museum, 20 people minimum) (2) (3)
• Adults (from 16 years old): 6.50 €
• School outings (from 8 to 15 years old): 4.50 €

There will be no guided tours of the castle on July 1, 2, 3, 10, 17, 23 and 24 and on August 7, 12, 21, 26, 27 and 28.
The price will be 5.50 €

GPS coordinates: 42°52′32″N 1°49′57″E

See here Pyrenees travel guide

See here France travel guide

See here Spain travel guide

Read more: Castles and fortresses of Spain and France with Mathew Kristes ...