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The Montségur Grand Site de France

Preserving Montségur and our landscapes

Preserving our remarkable heritage sites is essential: they bear witness to our history and shape our landscapes over the long term. The fortress of Montségur and its surrounding area have now been awarded the “Grand Site de France” label, in recognition of their exceptional value and the efforts made to preserve them.

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CCPO

Becoming a Grand Site de France

Aware of the beauty and richness of its territory, the Communauté de Communes du Pays d’Olmes (project centre), encouraged by the DREAL Occitanie, submitted its application to join the Grand Site de France project in July 2016. In November 2016, the French Minister for the Environment, Ségolène Royal, gave the go-ahead for the launch of this demanding process.

The result was major recognition: by ministerial decision on 26 January 2026, the Montségur area was awarded the Grand Site de France label!

At the same time, since 2017, the fortress of Montségur has been a candidate for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the process initiated by the Aude department with the Cité de Carcassonne and its sentinel mountain castles . This international initiative feeds into the Grand Site de France project, reinforcing their actions and pooling certain projects and protection areas.

What is a Grand Site de France?

A Grand Site de France is an area with an outstanding landscape, recognised for its beauty, heritage value and cultural or natural importance. Emblematic landscapes that are popular with tourists and protected by the provisions of articles L341-1 et seq. of the Environment Code, the Grands Sites de France aim to strike a balance between preserving heritage value, local life and welcoming the public.

The designated area covers 9,306 hectares and includes seven communes:

Bélesta, Bénaix, Fougax-et-Barrineuf, Montferrier, Montségur, Prades (in Ariège) and Comus (in Aude).

The Gorges de la Frau (listed site), the Réserve Biologique Intégrale, the Fontestorbes intermittent fountain (listed site) and the Gouffre des Corbeaux. The Monts d’Olmes resort and Roquefixade will also be involved in the project.

Good to know

Awarded by the French government for a period of eight years, the Grand Site de France label recognises areas committed to sustainable management and exemplary conservation. It recognises the actions taken to protect, enhance and manage these exceptional sites in a balanced way.

At the end of this period, the assessment leads to the definition of a new project in the continuity of the previous one. The Grand Site de France classification is thus a long-term project.

What is the purpose of a Grand Site de France?

A Grand Site de France is based on a shared territorial project. Local authorities, residents, local players and partners work together to :

Preserve the landscapes and natural environments,
Enhance the historical and cultural heritage,
Organise and manage visitor numbers (reception sites, quality discovery),
Educate visitors to respect the area,
Support a local economy that is compatible with environmental issues.

Being a Grand Site de France is more than just a prestigious label: it’s a living, breathing process that aims to pass on exceptional landscapes to future generations, enabling everyone to discover and understand them.

An experience open to all!

The Montségur Grand Site de France discovery programme is a range of activities, events and events open to all, designed to help visitors get to know, understand and appreciate the remarkable area around Montségur Castle and the surrounding massif.

It is designed to share the natural, historical, cultural and human riches of this exceptional place.

The discovery programme has been put together by the Pays d’Olmes Community of Communes in partnership with all the partners and service providers. It will be presented to the public on Thursday 21 May 2026 at the launch of the season and at the Montségur Grand Site de France Festival on Sunday 24 May 2026.

In the company of a guide

Visit Montsegur

Learning about the incredible history of the Cathars and the fortress that marked the end of their history with one of our guides is the surest way to find out a little more…