The Aguilar castle (fr. Château d’Aguilar, Languedocien: Castèl d’Aguilar) is a 12th-century castle, part of the so-called Cathar castles, located in the commune of Tuchan in the Aude département of France.
It’s a double-walled defensive castle, with enclosing wall and keep, surrounded by a second wall a bit lower on the hill, complete with round towers. It’s a ruin but in very good condition.
In 1241 Aguilar became a Royal fortress. The outer defensive wall was added to Aguilar castle at the end of 13th century. The castle was very well fortified, but it sat on a hilltop that was relatively low (321 m) and accessible, and came under periodic attack over the following centuries.
Aguilar is one of the “Five Sons of Carcassonne“, along with Quéribus, Peyrepertuse, Termes and Puilaurens: five castles strategically placed to defend the French border against the Spanish, until the border was moved in 1659.
Coordinates: 42°53′26″N 2°44′49″E
