The retired traveller: Peyrepertuse & Queribus - More ruined castles

Today, our goal is 2 hours away (assuming we drive the speed limit) southeast into the foothills of the Pyrenees. It will be a long day.

Our first target is the castle at Peyrepertuse. This Cathar castle sits on a ridge with 360 degree views of surrounding valleys and control mountain passes. It could also send signals to Queribus, a castle within view of Peyrepertuse. The castle is as big as the castle of Carcassonne and stretches down the whole ridge. It passed hands back and forth from Catalan to French as the border between France and Spain moved. It was ceded to the King of France in the Albigensian Crusade, who built additional fortifications. The castle was abandoned in 1659 when the border between France and Spain was moved.

that's our car down there in the parking lot.

But as all roads in the mountains are, this road was full of s-curves and hairpin turns. Since both Evie and Penny get carsick, we have to make several stops to rest queasy tummies. This stop featured a nature trail to a lookout over the valley and featured 2 donkeys watching us.

From here on, guest blogger, Evie, has described the day, since Grandma didn't climb the castles.

There were two white donkeys watching us relaxing

gramma waited in the car while the rest of the group went to the vulture lookout

Evie is in the tree while Penny and Katie are watching

We were able to park at the highest parking lot making the climb to the castle take about 20 minutes. A lookout provided a great view of the castle.

Penny and Evie looking at Peyrepertuse from the parking lot

Katie and Randy at the lookout

While the troops were storming the castle, gramma found a picnic table near the visitor center with a view and some shade to do some stitching. Gramma says: "It's amazing how many beautiful places I've been able to stitch."

where gramma was sitting

I'm having a hard time leaving out any of the pictures of our day, they are all so beautiful (IMHO).

view of the village

We bought 5 tickets to Peyrepertuse and 2 audio guides for Evie and Penny (although we found them bad in our opinions). We made our way up the mountain towards Peyrepertuse.

hiking

There was lots to explore. Here are some of the parts of Peyrepertuse, there was an outer courtyard, guard house, inner courtyard and the San Jordi "Keep" which is the addition from King Louis IX on the highest point on the mountain. Finally the old keep contains the governors quarters and the chapel.

entrance to Peyrepertuse

courtyard in Peyrepertuse

Penny in the front

Evie on the ruined stairs

sitting on the window

view from the window

chapel in Peyrepertuse

pointing at the San Jordi "Keep"

Evie thinking about throwing rocks overboard

sitting at the window copying a photo that papa took of Judy many years ago

Peyrepertuse

copy of Christie and Katie

walking down some stairs

Queribus as a spec in the distance (on the right of t he left-most hill)

After lunch at the picnic table where gramma was sitting, we headed toward Queribus. The distance was only 11 km (7 miles) but the estimated travel time was 21 minutes. There were lots of curves to get down from Peyrepertuse, then a reasonably straight road for a few kilometers until we had to climb curvy roads to the Chateau de Queribus.

Queribus while we drive up

Parking was easy, but the hike up, while shorter, was steeper.

When we reached the fortress there was a doorway with a deadfall (which is a slit where you can drop rocks or boiling oil). There are two other doors for some sort of security. Then we climbed up some stairs and we entered the castle there were stairs that continued up along side 4 rooms and 2 courtyard, one with a tower that leads to a gothic room and a storge room in the basement of the castle and the top of the tower.