Château de Puivert, Puivert, France

The Château de Puivert is a so-called Cathar castle on top of a hill overhanging the village and lake. The construction of the present chateau dates from the 13th century. The first mention is in 1170 when it belonged to the Congost family before the Albigensian Crusade. These lords practised Catharism and were accused as heretics. Then, in November 1210, the castle was subjected for three days to a siege by the army of Thomas Pons de Bruyère, lieutenant of Simon de Montfort. The castle subsequently became the property of the northern barons. All that is left of this older castle is a few sections of wall to the east. A collapse of the natural dam on the lake at the foot of the site caused the destruction of part of the town of Mirepoix, 30 km to the north, in Ariège in 1279. According to legend, this was because a certain Dame Blanche wanted to daydream on the lake shores, which were inaccessible in bad weather. She asked that the water level be lowered and work undertaken to accomplish this goal led to the collapse.

At the start of the 14th century, Thomas de Bruyère (grandson of Pons) and his wife Isabelle de Melun had the new castle built to the east of the old castle. The remains of the old castle are still visible. The coat-of-arms of Isabelle de Melun, who was the daughter of a Grand Chamberlain of France, still exists in the 'new' castle. The building was given a symbolic and picturesque character that can still be seen today.

Today the castle is privately owned. Thanks to its very well preserved keep it has been a location for many films like The Ninth Gate.

The best preserved part of the castle, the square keep measures 15 m by 15 m with a height of 35 m. Originally, it adjoined the manor house. On the west of the tower can be seen pieces of perpendicular masonry, from which it can be deduced that the buildings were joined in this area. The keep comprises

On the fourth floor of the keep is the minstrels' room. It is so called because eight very fine sculptures of musicians with their instruments are represented in the room. Legend has it that the town of Puivert welcomed a great gathering of troubadours in the 12th century. The instruments seen in the room are the bagpipes, flute, tambourin, rebec, lute, gittern, portable organ, psaltery and the bowed hurdy-gurdy.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

Anderson S. (5 months ago)
It’s a wednesday 2:25pm, we drove for 1h 30min to get here and the Chateau is closed with no explanation. It says it should be open between 10am and 5pm except on Saturdays and school holidays, neither one the case. So fruatrating!

Phillip Spencer (7 months ago)
Lovely old Cathar chateau with a nice walk up from the car park and excellent views. Only reason not five star review is that we could not see inside as it was closed for a month from 25 November.

A. van Dijk (10 months ago)
When you visit more kathar ruïnes this one is than maybe the one where you expect nothing but in reality there is the most to see. This one still is a castle with a few rooms you can enter. (Only by stairs so not by wheelchair) what you read about horses is correct but it is not irritating. There is a horse to keep the grass areas short. And another plus is that it's only a short and simple walk from the parking to the castle gate. You have to buy ticket to go in. Price is 6-7 euro.

Max Watson (12 months ago)
Very interesting and well preserved castle. Parking reasonably close to the entrance.

J W (2 years ago)
The Ninth Gate to the Kingdom of Shadows.

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A collection of landscapes by 19th century artists Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot, Barthélemy Menn and others are on display in the castle.

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