The Cathar castle of Puivert by Hilke Maunder

To this day, the Cathars, who renounced the Pope and led a strict, ascetic life, are shrouded in mystery. Terrible stories have been handed down about the clashes between the papal crusaders and the "heretics".

The Sentier Cathare leads to their spectacular castles and delicious wines along the way. The long-distance hiking trail begins at the beaches and salt lakes of Port-la-Nouvelle on the Mediterranean. It ends after around 250 kilometres in Foix at the foot of the Pyrenees. The Cathar castle of Puivert, shown in this photo, is located directly on the trail.

In the 12th century, the Cathar fortress was the stronghold of the troubadours. Today, actors and singers follow in their footsteps in the open-air theatre. Their bagpipes, tambourines, rebecs and other instruments are on display at the Musée du Quercorb down in the village.
Puivert is a truly cinematic fortress. The film version of The Burning Chambers* by Kate Moss was shot there, as was The Ninth Gate* by Roman Polanski with Johnny Depp.

I wonder if the actors quenched their thirst in the Brasserie du Quercorb after filming? Jayne and Paul Bayliss have proved with their microbrasserie on the D117 that flat land is hip today. Their taproom is a cult favourite in the region.