Under the medieval fortress Peyrepertuse nestles the charming authentic village of Duilhac-sous-Peyrepertuse, with its cobbled streets, fountain of love or its fortified center.
At the gate of the Fort, is the church of Saint Michel, consecrated in 1115. Formerly, it allowed the inhabitants of Duilhac to protect against invasions.
Below, under an imposing rock, runs a fresh and abundant water, it is reached by a winding staircase. This source known as "Fountain of Loves" has the reputation of making love... Formerly, she operated the grinders of the oil mill where all the inhabitants brought their olives. The same was true of the cereals which were brought to the threshing machine which separated the grains from their ears. The territory was rich in olive trees and the oil produced by the mill had a good reputation thanks to the purity of its water.
Currently the village has about 150 inhabitants. There is a school in the form of a group of children (4 communes) with 2 classes and about 40 children from 2 to 11 years old.
One of the gastronomic specialties is wild boar stew. But also the omelette with wild asparagus.
Duilhac-sous-Peyrepertuse is a very pretty little village where life is good, the population is friendly and welcoming.
Castle Peyrepertuse:
This fortress, which was one of the guardians of the Kingdom of France, culminates at 800 meters altitude.
Located between the Pyrenees and the shores of the Mediterranean, the castle Peyrepertuse (the pierced stone) marries the rocks until it merges.
By the quality of its buildings, and its strategic position on a rocky promontory, it remains one of the most remarkable Citadels of Vertigo in Cathar Country, and is as large as the city of Carcassonne. It is also called "the Celestial Carcassonne".
From 1240, Peyrepertuse is used as border post on a line of defense hitherto unpublished to protect the Kingdom of France against the attackers from the Kingdom of Aragon. Thus, the five sons of Carcassonne (Peyrepertuse, Quéribus, Puilaurens, Aguilar and Termes) formed a kind of "Maginot line" as Henri Paul Eydoux wrote. Then, in 1659, the Treaty of the Pyrenees marks the displacement of the border on the Perthus side, which is currently the border with Spain. From that moment, the castle lost all its strategic interest and was abandoned after the French Revolution.
It is not therefore a "Cathare Castle", the Cathars not being strictly speaking builders, but a Royal Medieval Fortress. The castrum of the Occitan lord was fortified by the engineers duroi when it was in his possession and allowed him to set up a real geopolitical strategy of conquest of this territory to what strategic.
Today, these sleepy ruins inspire many stories, sometimes imaginary, esoteric from time to time, scientists eminently but above all they are the symbol of the will of hegemony of the royal power on constrained natural elements. It remains from the San Jordi Chapel (the highlight of the visit) an indescribable feeling of beauty and infinity.
July 13: Torchlight descent (leds/solar), come and illuminate the sides of the Château de Peyrepertuse during a guided and lively walk, leaving the village at 8 p.m. and returning at 10 p.m. Market of artisans and local producers. Concerts from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. Free, without reservation.
End of July: Magical night at the castle, did you dream of it? U.S. too ! Come spend an unforgettable night in Peyrepertuse. Several speakers will animate this privileged and timeless moment placed under the sign of wonder, of the return to nature and simplicity. Limited places. Paying, on reservation.
Beginning and mid-August: Sunrise at the castle, enjoy an extraordinary and exclusive experience! Come and watch the magnificent spectacle of a sunrise in Peyrepertuse. Visit of the castle accompanied and commented by a heritage mediator. Limited places. Paying, on reservation.
In August: Day of Battles at the Castle, relive the time of the knights! During the day, activities, games and workshops are offered from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Château de Peyrepertuse. Paid, without reservation.
In the evening, in the village of Duilhac-sous-Peyrepertuse, don't miss the LED light show that will make the square shine. A local producers' market will also be present throughout this evening. Free, without reservation.
August 14: Open-air cinema with an unobstructed view of the castle, market for artisans and local producers. Free, without reservation.
Atypical visits are offered throughout the summer: theatrical or epic. Paying, on reservation.
Mid-September: from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., discovery of natural heritage as part of European Heritage Days, the conservatory of natural spaces will lead you to discover the riches of Mediterranean habitats or how pastoralism rhymes with biodiversity!
Information: Tel. : +33 4 30 37 00 77 - Email: info@peyrepertuse.com
There is a nice walk from the village of Duilhac to the waterfalls of the Moulin de Ribaute, yellow markings, easy, duration about 2 hours. It forms a loop. In summer, swimming is supervised when the regulatory system is in place and the lifeguard present.
