Châteaux de Lastours, Medieval castle ruins in Lastours, France
Châteaux de Lastours comprises four castle ruins perched on a rocky ridge above the Orbiel valley in southern France. The fortresses are named Cabaret, Tour Regine, Surdespine, and Quertineux and use the natural terrain as part of their defensive structure.
The fortresses were built in the early medieval period and later became key strongholds during the Albigensian Crusade in the 13th century. They sheltered those who followed religious beliefs different from the dominant church of the time.
The fortresses bear names tied to regional history, and visitors can see how defensive structures adapted to the natural environment. Walking through the ruins, you notice how the buildings used stone and rock that was already there.
You can explore the ruins on your own or join a guided tour to learn more about the site. The climb to the ridge is steep, but the view from the top extends across the surrounding landscape.
The four castles were not isolated but worked together as one large defensive system spread across several kilometers. This arrangement allowed inhabitants to see each other and relay warnings across the ridge.
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