Château de Puilaurens - Puilaurens Castle

Strategically placed at 697m altitude on Mont Ardu, the Puilaurens castle rises up against the rocky overhang that dominates the village of Puilaurens, in the middle of an evergreen forest. During four centuries it was the southern-most fortress in France and locked access to the Fenouillèdes. The Puilaurens castle is a serial property and is a candidate for Unesco world heritage status “the city of Carcassonne and its sentry mountain top castles”. It shows proof of unique fortification and occupied a strong and central position, leading the city of Carcassonne to defend its territory and the border with the Kingdom of Aragon in the thirteenth century. The adaptation of this fortress to its steep landscape show architectural prowess. It makes for an impressive reference point within the remarkable and preserved landscape.

From the entrance, we can see the first stones! At the end of the road, the impressive chicane staircase rises up to the castle’s entrance doors. Impatient to discover the inside of the castle? Walk past the Murder Hole and the main court is unveiled. The surrounding walls and its crenels, the horseshoe towers are filled with history, marked by time… To hear the story of the White Lady, venture to the high altitude castle complex.