Château de Coustaussa

Coustaussa, France

The original Château de Coustaussa was built by the Trencavels, Viscounts of the Razès, in the 12th century. It was the stronghold of Cathars until Simon de Montfort and his Crusaders conquered it during the Albigensian Crusade. After the Crusades, the Castle came into the possession of the de Montesquieu family. The present Château was apparently still in good shape until the 19th century, when an enterprising local realised that he could turn a few Francs by stripping out and selling the woodwork.

References:

Cathar Castles

Address

D312, Coustaussa, France

See all sites in Coustaussa

Details

Founded: 12th century
Category: Castles and fortifications in France
Historical period: Birth of Capetian dynasty (France)

More Information

www.catharcastles.info

Rating

3.9/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby

St. Mary Magdalene Church (1,8 km)
Alet Cathedral Ruins (6,4 km)
Château d'Arques (7,5 km)
Château du Bezu (6,9 km)

Historic Fortified City of Carcassonne (30,5 km)
Cháteau Comtal (30,5 km)
Basilica of Saints Nazarius and Celsus (30,3 km)
Villefranche-de-Conflent Fortress (40 km)
Minerve (59,8 km)
Mirepoix Cathedral (36,6 km)
Château de Peyrepertuse (23,9 km)
Château de Castelnou (49,9 km)
Saint-Hilaire Abbey (17,2 km)

User Reviews

Brigitte Pourquier (3 years ago)
Super visite avec un guide passionné qui n'a pas peur de s'investir pour tenter de faire revivre cet édifice ! Allez le visiter et soutenez leur projet ça vaut vraiment le coup !

Dries Cools (4 years ago)
Got a private guided tour by the caretaker in charge of the restauration. Right now it's all hands on deck to strengthen the ruïne, but they have big plans for the future so I'll definately be returning someday.

Raphael Fabre (4 years ago)
An impressive and fascinating place. An instructive and enriching visit, made with the owner who has the beautiful project of maintaining and restoring it. Better to call ahead just in case. Very beautiful views of the castle are discovered on the path that leads to the village in height

invalidedd yt (5 years ago)
Very nice places

Jean-Patrick Pourtal (5 years ago)
Magnificent place carrying memory. Too bad it has not been restored like all the other "Cathar" castles in the region.

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Klearchos Kapoutsis

Historic Site of the week

Beckov Castle

The Beckov castle stands on a steep 50 m tall rock in the village Beckov. The dominance of the rock and impression of invincibility it gaves, challenged our ancestors to make use of these assets. The result is a remarkable harmony between the natural setting and architecture.

The castle first mentioned in 1200 was originally owned by the King and later, at the end of the 13th century it fell in hands of Matúš Èák. Its owners alternated - at the end of the 14th century the family of Stibor of Stiborice bought it.

The next owners, the Bánffys who adapted the Gothic castle to the Renaissance residence, improved its fortifications preventing the Turks from conquering it at the end of the 16th century. When Bánffys died out, the castle was owned by several noble families. It fell in decay after fire in 1729.

The history of the castle is the subject of different legends.