Château de Villerouge-Termenès

To make a day of it

Château de Villerouge-Termenès stands in Villerouge-Termenès (Aude), in the Occitanie region of France. The building is listed as a historic monument (dating recorded in the Mérimée database: 12th century, 14th century). Adult admission costs 7 EUR. Its opening hours and prices have not been verified at the source yet.

In the Corbières hills of the Aude, this fortified castle displays four round towers around a quadrangular courtyard, built on foundations dating to the late 11th century. Owned for centuries by the archbishops of Narbonne, it was the site of a notable episode of the repression against the Cathars: the burning at the stake of Guilhem Bélibaste, the last known Cathar 'good man', in 1321. The keep, at the south-east corner, holds three stacked rooms and a crenellated terrace reached by stairways cut into the thick walls. In the great hall, a painted beam still bears the coat of arms of Archbishop Bernard de Farges.

Written from Château de Villerouge-Termenès

What to know

• The monument has been a listed historic monument since 1976.
• The adult admission fee is 7 euros.
• Construction spanned several centuries, from the late 11th to the 16th century.
• Access to the keep involves narrow stairways cut into the thick walls, requiring some physical mobility.
• The castle stands in the village of Villerouge-Termenès, in the Corbières hills of the Aude.

Practical information

Visit duration

Not verified

Wheelchair access

Not verified

Dogs

Not verified

Parking

Not verified

Where this château is

Villerouge-Termenès · Aude · Occitanie

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This châteauChâteaux within 40 km

Address

Carrièra del Castel, 11330 Villerouge-Termenès

Directions open from wherever you are, by car or public transport.

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Château phone number

+33 4 68 70 09 11

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Heritage status

Listed historic monument (classé)

Mérimée record PA00102922

Period of construction

12th century, 14th century

Base map © IGN, Géoplateforme

In pictures

Frequently asked

Who built the château de Villerouge-Termenès?

Its origins date to the late 11th century; the site was later fortified and altered by the archbishops of Narbonne, who owned it from 1110.

Why is the château de Villerouge-Termenès well known?

It is known for the burning at the stake of Guilhem Bélibaste, the last known Cathar 'good man', within its walls in 1321.

Is the château de Villerouge-Termenès a listed historic monument?

Yes, it has been listed as a historic monument since a decree of 6 October 1976.

Can visitors climb the keep?

The keep has three stacked rooms reached by stairways cut into the thick walls, leading up to a crenellated terrace.

Sources

Identity, location and official references from Wikidata and the Mérimée register.

• This entry in Markdown
• Wikidata Q1014396
• Mérimée PA00102922
• Official website

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