Top of the Mountain at Chateau de Montsegur

TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN AT CHATEAU de MONTSEGUR
Oct. 4, ‘07


The Girls in the Cat House plus one (like the way we have new more interesting names for ourselves as this trip progresses) take a road not yet traveled. Daria is with us today so now we are four. Very shortly, we are high in the mountains and going higher. Winn is hanging on to the Oh Shucks handle as she does not like these heights. She had a very serious automobile accident in Morocco a number of years ago and does not like the constant switch backs and steep narrow roads we are traveling today; but this is the only way to reach the base of the mountain which is topped by Chateau de Montsegur. We are in the middle of the Cathar country. The history is so rich you have go up the mountain to have the real experience of what took place here hundreds of years ago. The clouds have settled over the tops of the mountains and the rain will soon catch us.

The Chateau literally sits on top of the mountain. The small village of Montsegur is another one of the French jewels… impeccably clean and neat, beautiful flowers in boxes and beside the doors, down the fences and on the gates. You have no doubt that each is tenderly nurtured and cared for by the owners. There is so much personal pride shown everywhere you look….if I could only bottle a little of it to bring home and I will in my heart and memory. The bell tower looks over the small village throughout the country, some have one bell, others have more. Perhaps the explanation for the number of bells in the tower reflect the size of the church or village. They dot the landscape and ring on the hour and half hour and are very accurate.

As described in an earlier blog, we ladies came upon another ‘bomb site’ and decided those loved ones keeping up with us from home needed a visual as well as verbal description …..thus the earlier picture. There was quite a discussion as to whether such should be included but it has made such a lasting impression that we decided it must be shared. Knowing us as many of you do, you can well imagine the depths to which the bomb site was discussed and described. REMEMBER, GALS, YOU APPROACH THIS EXPERIENCE BACKING UP.

As with each Chateau, there is s story. Catharism was a strong and growing force in 1209. The papacy saw enough of a threat to its power to require eradication by death. The terror, enforced by French armies and overseen by the Dominicians, was vicious and successful. Its climax came in 1244, with fall of the Cathar holy-of-holies, the temple-fortress at Montsegur in the Pyreenes. The Cathars held off the impending take over for two years with no replenishment of supplies or arms. Many of the invading armies converted to Cartharism before they came down the mountain as captives of the French. Today you continue to see the cross which is the symbol of the Catlans in this area of France.


Returning home to prepare for our dinner guests, we stopped several times to photograph the fruits, flowers and vegetables of more Fall gardens. Catherine, Christophe and Daria joined us for a wonderful Cajun French evening before a roaring fire, with good wine, new friends and gumbo. The end of yet another perfect day, I close with a part of an ancient Cathar prayer I came across in some of my readings….


“……because we are not of this world, and this world is nought of ours, give us to understand that which Thou understands, and to love that which Thou lovest.”



Judy