The Cathar Trail was created to allow walkers of all abilities to discover the major historical sites and famous Cathar Castles, retelling the dramatic events of the 13th century. The trail, which takes just less than two weeks to complete, runs along the Mediterranean to Foix in the Ariège and is served by a selection of gites, guesthouses and hotels.

The Cathar drama: a striking period of Medieval history, still significant today
With villages burnt and populations killed or exiled, the 13th century in the Occitan region was marked by terrible violence but was also a time of real cultural diversity. The heritage left behind was mainly architectural, with some of the original Cathar castles still remaining today. It was a true “war of religion” that made the Catholic Church so determined to wipe out the “new apostles” −men and women who had different religious views and wanted to follow the basic precepts of Christ by turning to evangelical views.

“Cathars” or rather “Bonhommes”?
The origin of the word “Cathar” dates back to the 12th century, where its first recorded use was by a Rhineland academic in 1164. It derives from the Greek word “Katharos” (meaning pure) and the Latin word “Catus” (cat), an animal loved by witches. This term however was almost never used in the Middle Ages and especially not in the Occitan region. Also known as the “Albigeois” (Albigensians), these unorthodox Christians referred to themselves as “Bonshommes” (Good Men) and “Bonnes Femmes” (Good Women), the “Bons Chrétiens” –Good Christians, or “Perfects” (Parfaits) for the purest of them. The “Sentier des Bonhommes” (GR107) hiking trail has existed for some time now and runs from the French town of Foix to Braga in Spanish Catalonia through Haute Ariège, along the border of Andorra.

The Albigensian Crusade
The Catholic Church had initially tried to contain the expansion of Catharism with preaching however they were unable to fully eradicate it. In 1208 one of the papal legates was assassinated by a horseman of the Count of Toulouse, which resulted in Pope Innocent III declaring a crusade. This movement, led by Simon de Montfort, was particularly devastating as the resistance from the Cathar castles proved to be strong. The crusade ended in 1229 with the signing of the Treaty of Meaux-Paris, marking the end of Occitan independence in France. In total, an estimated 1 million people were killed and entire towns were completely destroyed.

The Inquisition
Despite the success of the crusade, Catharism continued. The Catholic Church resorted to the Inquisition, which had been created by the Papacy in the Middle Ages and whose aim was to fight against heretics. The Inquisitors (often followers of mendicant orders) were in charge of spotting cases of heresy and then reverting the suspected culprit to Catholic ways. If this did not work, the offender was taken to the Civil Authority. In Cathar Country this would result in torture and a process of gruelling and prejudice questioning, where the subject was often condemned based on mere accusations or vague suspicions. The Inquisition was successful in wiping out Catharism, but it was the fall of the Montségur Castle in 1244 that really represents the end of this “heresy”.

Variations of the Cathar Trail
It is possible to cover just a certain section of the trail. Depending on physical ability, the majority of the walks are suitable for families with children aged 10/12 years and upwards. Due to climate conditions, spring and autumn are usually the best for walking, but summer (June-September) remains the busiest time.