Today we left Carcassonne and drove to St. Jean Pied de Port, stopping on the way at Montsegur, the site of an ancient Cathar fortress, and briefly at Foix, where we saw the castle for which it is known. At Montsegur we climbed the pog (Occitan for mountain), where in 1243 a Cathar stronghold withstood a 10 month siege before falling to the French Catholics. Rather than renounce their faith, 220 Cathars were burned at the stake, marking the end of the war against the Albigensian heretics.
Tomorrow we will walk over the Pyrenees and into Spain, so look for our next post in a couple of days. (TS)
The Pog viewed from afar
The Pog up close, with the new fortress (not the original Cathar stronghold) visible.
The new fortress
Lunch on the pog
Our starting point viewed from the top of the pog
The castle at Foix
Nathaniel, mom, and Maryrose at St. Jean Pied de Port
Dinner with authentic French fries (and chicken)
It seems to be a family tradition to conquer the Pog! Cheers all, Chantal
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