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©Saint_Felix_de_Tournegat_aerial_view|Office de Tourisme des Pyrénées cathares

Top 10 typical villages and hamlets

The Cathar Pyrenees are full of charming villages and hamlets.

Here’s a special selection of villages and hamlets to help you discover some of the most typical.

To discover

Camon

Classified asone of France’s “most beautiful villages” and elected “ville et villagefleuris” in 2014, the village has everything to please.

You’ll fall under the spell of this fortified village with its streets and alleys full of flowers. Its old houses have retained their typical character.

A word ofadvice: don’t hesitate to visit in spring, when the dozens of rosebushes adorning the facades of every house will leave you sweetly scented.

Vals

Known for its beautiful Romanesque church, listed as a historic monument. The village of Vals is full of beautiful old stone houses, giving it a certain charm.

We recommend a visit to the higher parts of the village for a magnificent view of the Pyrenees.

Mirepoix

The medieval town of Mirepoix will immerse you in the Middle Ages, with its main square set with half-timbered houses. You’ll be charmed all year round by the many events taking place in the town.

Not tobe missed, every Monday in the main square and adjacent streets is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and popular Occitan markets.

Roquefixade

The bastide town of Roquefixade is an authentic village, steeped in history and a must-see hiking spot. It is criss-crossed by two GR trails (107 and 367) and boasts numerous hiking loops. The ancient village fell victim to the Albigensian Crusade. The King of France rebuilt a royal fortress on its site. The village was moved to the foot of the mountain to be built as a bastide.

Montségur

The village of Montségur was built at the end of the 15th century at the foot of the famous pog where the present-day castle stands. The village is well exposed, as it was built on the soulane. Rare examples of wooden or stone passageways under houses, known locally as “cantous”, can still be seen. The central square features the church with its bell tower.

Roumengoux

This pretty little hilltop village offers a breathtaking view of the Pyrenees. On the same esplanade, you’ll find landscape interpretation panels to help you better appreciate the Pyrenean range, as well as picnic tables. If you wish, you can also take a walk to discover the many fountains.

La Peyregade

The hamlet of Peyregade, in the commune of Montferrier, nestles in the heart of the narrow valley where the Touyre river flows. You enter this small mountain hamlet through an open-air gate, discovering houses where time seems to have stood still. Footpaths lead to the Teychou waterfall and an enigmatic rock known as the “sacrificial stone”.

Please note: We advise motorhomes against taking the road to Peyregade.

St Félix de Tournegat

This village is the only circulade in the Cathar Pyrenees. Its row of houses was a direct part of the fortifications. They enclose an elliptical church dedicated to Saint Felix. The church features a monumental “comb” bell tower.

The medieval village was once surrounded by moats, and one of its parish priests was an accomplice of the resistant knights of Montségur in their retreat from the assassination of the inquisitors at Avignonet in May 1242.

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