Dominating the Ariège valley from its 965m-high spur, Lordat is considered one of the oldest and largest medieval fortresses in the former county of Foix.
Chased by the Inquisition and fleeing Montségur, the Cathars found refuge here.
The château has been listed as a Monument Historique since 1933.
The ruins visible today are those of the castle that existed in the 10th and 11th centuries, was enlarged in the 13th century and occupied during the Albigensian Crusade.
It's still possible to walk between the castle's three enclosures, the gates of each of them pierced in the towers, the curtain walls, its cistern and, at the center of the site, the base of the old rectangular keep.
From the remains of its walls, you can enjoy a unique panorama of the magnificent landscapes of the Upper Ariege.
A few kilometers away, you can visit several Cathar castles: Château de Montségur, Château de Niort-de-Sault, Château de Foix, Château de Puivert and Château de Puilaurens.
Outside opening times, the château is open to visitors free of charge from October to early July 2023.
The "Mission Cathare" game area at the château can be booked in advance, as well as a wide range of activities including guided tours, medieval shows, star-gazing treasure hunts, storytelling and lectures on Catharism... as well as bird-of-prey shows.
The path to the château has no access for the disabled. It's a 10-minute climb from the ticket office. Bring walking shoes with ankle support. Pets must be kept on a leash.
Lordat Castle
09250 Lordat
Tel: 0 5 61 02 75 98
Tel.: 05 34 14 31 87
chateau.lordat@cc-hauteariege.fr
www.patrimoines.hauteariege.fr
