Lastours or
Cabaret, situated in Aude, about 15km from Carcassonne is
actually 4 mutually supporting castles and a small fortified village
below.
It offers a
wonderful walk and quite outstanding views. There is a small museum
below the fortress in the village.
In 1209 Simon
de Montfort unsuccessfully besieged the fortifications. In 1211 it
was forced to capitulate after the fall of Termes, but again changed hands
in 1223. The Cathar Bishop of Carcassonne, Pierre Isarn took refuge
in the fortification in 1226. Again it was forced to be surrendered
in 1229, but again reoccupied during an uprising in 1240 for a short
time.
During the
crusade there were three castles, the Queens tower having been constructed
in 1260 by the French.
