The Cathars
The spiritual movement called catharism developed in reaction to the corruption and disarray of the Church in the late 12th and early 13th century. In stark contrast to the worldly, dissolute clergy of the era, the Cathars followed a rigorous interpretation of the gospels, with the most pious of the believers, called "Perfects", taking vows of poverty and celibacy and refusing to eat meat. It was their belief in dualism, however, that outraged the Church: according to the cathars, Satan had created the material world, with its pestilence, violence and hate, not God. Paradise could be gained after death only by rejecting worldly attachments during one's life.

Catharism enjoyed the support of the great lords of the southwest, including the Count of Foix, whose castle remains intact and dominates the town. It is well worth a visit.

The forces of the Pope and Philip Augustus, King of France, pronounced a Crusade against the Cathars (known, misleadingly, as the Albigensian Crusade) that started in 1209. They called in Simon de Montford to slaughter and extinguish the Cathar power, culminating in 1244 with the siege of the fortress castle at Montségur, where 205 Perfects chose to be burned to death rather than renounce their faith. Take the 30 minute hike up from the base of the "pog" to see the ruins of the chateau and the spectacular view.

The ruins of several other castles associated with catharism dot the region, including Roquefixade, Montsegur, Puylaurens, Peyrepertuse & Queribus.

Carcassonne
Visit the mediaeval walled town on the Canal du Midi. The mediaeval city has been included in UNESCO’s world heritage list and provides a unique insight into life in the middle ages.

Cathar Castles Link:
http://perso.club-internet.fr/cal64/html/d0835.htm

Carcassonne Link:
http://www.carcassonne.org/

To read and see more on these spectacular historical locations try searching for them using an engine such as Google.