Peyrepertuse

Last year, we visited the Cathar castle of Quéribus. This year, we went just a little bit further to Peyrepertuse. I was mentally prepared for a scary road, but it wasn't too bad, despite the few loopback bends in the last kilometer or so before we reached the castle. While Quéribus is quite compact, Peyrepertuse rambles on over the top of the mountain, following its contour, up and down. It feels more remote, bleaker, more sinister. Have a look at the 360 view from the top - quite dizzying! Also the pictures from the air- scary - I don't think I'd have the stomach for that, although €58 sounds like very good value for a double paragliding jump with such views! Though it all goes so quickly that you don't really get a chance to see it that well (I'd have my eyes closed probably, so it would make no difference where I am)



The castle embraces the contours of the landscape so closely that you don't see it at all until you get quite near it. When you go through the entrance (€5 per adult), you walk through a wooded area for quite a while, wondering if you took a wrong turn somewhere, or walked through the back of a wardrobe, as you can't see the castle at all. And when you see it, it's only the lower castle. It takes quite a while before you get to the higher one, from where you get a good overview of the site. It was slightly hazy on the day we went, but the view was fantastic, well worth the trip. Be warned, though: you need good legs and steady shoes (or, like me, a pair of Merrell flip flops!)