Pog de Montségur © Le Dahu Ariégeois[/caption]
The Ariège Pyrenees are home to several castles from the Middle Ages in which Catharism was embraced. This doctrine, which emerged in the West in the middle of the XIIth century, professes the separation of the material and the spiritual. These evangelists presented the Christian religion in an entirely new and accessible form. Not only because they spoke the local language, but also because they wrote in the Romance tongue. This allowed them to make religion accessible to most people, since at the time all religious writings were in Latin.
This movement saw very strong mobilisation in the south of France, particularly in the medieval Midi. It is precisely in the Ariège Pyrenees that I take you on these family hiking trips. In the form of a treasure hunt for young and old alike, you will set off in search of the Cathar treasure. You will share a convivial moment with Occitan resonances during a medieval evening led by real troubadours!
The Secret of the Cathars
The Roman Church condemned the Cathars as heretical on the grounds that they did not respect the ideals of Christ. In 1208, the Pope took the matter of the Midi in hand and launched a holy crusade to eradicate the heretics: "In the name of Christ and the Faith! Kill them all!".
After the fall of Carcassonne in August 1209, Simon de Montfort took command of the crusade and made it a personal mission. However, Counts Raymond VI of Toulouse and Raymond Roger of Foix opposed his rule. Simon de Montfort then attacked the Château de Foix. But the castle, fortified with powerful ramparts, resisted the invasion. Ultimately, between victories and defeats, Simon de Montfort never succeeded in eradicating Catharism…
In 1232, the Pope established the Inquisition in order to punish all those suspected of heresy. Furthermore, in order to obtain confessions and denunciations, the inquisitors conducted thorough investigations under torture. It ultimately took more than 200 years, two crusades and an inquisition tribunal to bring Catharism to a definitive end.
Guillaume de Belibaste, the last Cathar to be burned, spoke these words: "In 700 years, Catharism will rise again from my ashes!". Today, the scars of the past are resurfacing. Between ruins and legends, history is very much alive…
As a passionate lover of mountain landscapes and the legends of my homeland, I became a specialist in local history, particularly that of Catharism. As a mid-mountain guide, I take great pleasure in sharing these stories while roaming the Pyrenean trails. It was important for me to obtain the "Outdoor qualité Ariège Pyrénées" label, which reflects my commitment to quality so that your hike is unforgettable.
The Light of the Cathars (treasure hunt)
For this first hike, lasting 3 hours, plunge into the heart of the Middle Ages!
The Cathars, hunted and massacred by the crusades and the Inquisition, took refuge at the pog of Montségur under the protection of the Faydit knights (knights stripped of their possessions). In March 1244, before the Cathars' surrender and before the 200 heretics were burned at the stake, a flight allowed them to hide their treasure. But what is this hoard? It has never been found — so take up the challenge!
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Treasure hunt © Le Dahu Ariégeois[/caption]
Among the ruins of a castle from that era, set off with a GPS for a trail game. In the form of a duel between two teams, track down and decode the riddles before the others to find the right keys to the chest!
On this occasion you will learn how to use a GPS, and it will be my great pleasure to run the game and share all my knowledge.
The troubadours' hiking trail in the Ariège Pyrenees
To meet the troubadours, we will need to hike for 4 hours along the ridges of the Prat d'Albis, which offer a remarkable landscape. Under the piercing gaze of the vulture and the bearded vulture, you will encounter the typical Ariège livestock. The Gasconne, the Tarascon ewe and the majestic Mérens horse. Take a break to smell the mountain flowers such as the star narcissus, the bellflower and the wood sorrel.
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Pierrade in the heart of the Ariège Pyrenees © Le Dahu Ariégeois[/caption]
Then, in the heart of a high-altitude summer pasture, I invite you to bivouac in a guaranteed mountain atmosphere! We will enjoy fine local produce on an authentic pierrade.
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Troubadour playing the chevrette de Puivert © Le Dahu Ariégeois[/caption]
Lovers and enthusiasts of traditional music are welcome for this hiking experience steeped in Occitan and Ariège colours. During a musical evening led by a troubadour group, traditional music and songs will be performed. In those times, these figures travelled from castle to castle, playing their melodic compositions celebrating Love and Nature. Often accompanied by jugglers and fire-breathers, the troubadours put on remarkable musical and poetry shows.
During this evening, you will be able to discover authentic instruments made to measure, such as the three-hole flute, the Ttun Ttun (string tambourine) or the chevrette de Puivert. This last instrument exists in only two examples in the world. My troubadour friend made an exact replica himself. Try your hand at playing these ancestral instruments!
Take a leap into the past and travel back to the Middle Ages, where Occitan music echoes through the mountains. Feel free to contact me via my website for any further information and to book your next hike!
See you soon, Denis Wohmann
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