château de puilaurens

One of the most attractive mountain top castles it presents an impressive magical vista as you approach from the valley below. Not much remains but the defensive outer walls and towers but impressive nonetheless. It seems it was ruined when it became redundant as useful parts were taken for other purposes. The car park is at the entrance (ignore the first car park) shop and WC. Entry is 5 Euro (4 with Cathar passport). Access is up a steepish rocky path, but not unduly challenging - good shoes and a stick recommended. Not suitable for disabled. Once at the castles there is access to several ruined towers and a view site. As with most of the Cathar castles there is not a great deal of interest within them, but the views and sheer incredulity of them makes up. Highly recommended.

We've been to a few of the other "Cathar" chateaux and this one did not disappoint. It is slightly steep, but if one is in even moderate shape, it is not a very difficult or long climb from the parking lot. And of course the whole thing is so impressive.. that they built these structures at all on the tops of these peaks. There are bathrooms at the parking lot, and also a gift shop which one has to walk through and pay a small fee before starting up to the top. They have postcards, local products and snack and drink machines.... Also some picnic tables under the trees. Even though it is not a long climb, there are no hand rails and there are lots of loose stones so one does have to be careful going up and down. My hiking stick was helpful. As one of the other reviewers said, they do have some sticks available in the gift shop. I assume they are free, but not sure.We saw people in flipflop sandals which seemed a bit strange but some sort of closed in shoe seemed to be more appropriate and practical.. Especially since once inside the ruins there are some precarious stairs to get to some of the more interesting areas. Some of the stones are very worn and slippery. There are information plaques in French. But that information can be found easily enough from guide books and the internet.

As with all Cathar castles, Puilaurens is pure drama: high on a mountain, beautifully integrated in nature.

There is quite a steep climb from the parking lot. There is a bathroom at the bottom. They also have walking sticks to help you make the climb. It is quite a steep climb but the path to follow is much easier here than at other Cathar Castles like Montsegur. The views at the top are worth the climb. It is wonderful to see the Pyrennes from that height! So hard to imagine what life would have been like living up there. It was very windy on the day we went. I would encourage to layer your clothing you you can easily adjust!

Like many of the Cathar Castles, the has a strenuous hike but is worth the adventure. Insure to have good walking shoes anb bring the camera. One wonders how the were able to build these amazing defense structures.

You need to be in fairly good condition to make the big climb up to the castle. Be prepared to rest along the way. It's worth the track up. It's amazing how the original inhabitants ever built on the site.

Great views, wonderful history. Worth the walk up to view the scenery and walk around the castle. Just one of the many Cathar castles in this region, all worth visiting.

Beautifully preserved castle, with impressive defensive layout.The view in all directions was spectacular.Quite steep walk up, but more than worth the 3 eur entrance fee.

I’m not sure why there are relatively few reviews of this chateau, but we found this to be one of the highlights of our 6-day stay in the Languedoc. It was not at all busy, you have access to almost the entire site and, being reasonably intact, it is very photogenic. As a result, we spent nearly 2 hours there. The specific features that made it a five-star visit for us:• It is very well-preserved. [pictures attached]• Access is pretty easy. Like most all of the Cathar castles, it is approached by a footpath from a car park but the ascent is neither long nor hazardous. At the same time it is an interesting climb, especially the last stretch where you wind through a series of zigzag defenses that give you a good feel for what it might have been like to approach the fortress centuries ago.• There are spectacular views. Especially if you exit through the postern gate near the east tower (on the right from the main entrance). [more pictures]• Extra bonus--the site is lighted at night. A suggestion: treat yourself to dinner at Hostellerie du Grand Duc, in Gincla, one of the best restaurants in the area. Afterwards, drive north and if it’s after dark you will get another treat when driving around the corner approaching the town of Puilaurens. Unfortunately, we did not get a nighttime picture. Perhaps someone else will…?• With an entrance fee of only 3 euros, it is also a bargain.

Only a quick but steep 15-minute walk up from the car park this castle is worth the hike to poke around the ruins but the views of the surrounding valleys and Pyrenees are the real treat.

Piulaurens stands distinctively on the mountain top, often surrounded by clouds. As you drive up to the carpark, you follow the river though small villages into the pine forest. Adventurous trekkers may choose to walk the road up through the forest before embarking on the climb to the castle. There is a nice gift shop and bathrooms by the carpark. There is no English audio guide, just a simple fact sheet. The path to the top is well maintained, with the early part sheltered by trees and brush. The steps approaching the castle gate are steep and uneven, and do not expect hand or guide rails. Plan for at least an hour to ascend, tour and return to the carpark. And you need appropriate hiking gear and to be steady on your feet. What makes this castle different from the other Cathars 5 Brothers, is you are able to walk around the guards tower walk, which in this setting is stunning.

This is one of my favourite castles to visit in the Aude/Ariège area for several reasons. If you're driving from the Quillan direction you get a lovely drive through the gorges before you arrive. The road up to the château is not too scary (I'm afraid of heights and am not a fan of roads with sheer drops on the sides). The car park is free and entry to the Château is cheaper than most others -4Euros for adults and 2Euros for children. If you're going to visit a few castles in the region then it would be worth buying the tourist 'passport' at the first one you visit. each passport costs 2 Euros but will give each adult a 1Euro reduction at each site (castles and abbeys)and will allow one child from 6 - 15 years old a free entry at each site. The passport is valid for one year so you can spread your visits out if you want to. For more information and entry fees visit : http://www.payscathare.org/1-6600-Tarifs-et-reductions.phpThere is a bit of a climb up to this castle ( nothing like the climb to Monstegur!) so I would recommend walking shoes or trainers and a stick as well as water on a hot day. There is a shop toilets and picnic tables at carpark level. They do not sell food at the site.The views as you climb are fabulous so don't forget your camera. The castle itself is a ruin so there is not a huge amount to see inside but you can get lovely views all around from the different window areas. Be careful if you are taking young children as certain areas of this castle are dangerous (i.e. windows leading to a sheer drop). I would also avoid the visit on a wet day as the steps leading up to the castle can be slippery.While I was there this year workmen were in the process of putting lights up in the castle. It is now lit up and visible from afar.If you want to see something else while you're down in that area take a look at the 'gorges de Galamus' (Head towards Perpignan on the D117 and turn left at St. Paul-de-Fenouillet on the D7)or head north to Bugarach for lovely views of the Bugarach mountain. I would highly recommend this castle to all those who are in the area for it's accessibility and the views. Enjoy!Château de Puilaurens 11 140 Lapradelle-Puilaurens tél/fax : 04 68 20 65 26 Mail :chateau.puilaurens@orange.fr Site : www.pays.axat.org Par la D118 jusqu’à Quillan puis par la D117

Tous les châteaux de cette région ont du charme et un côté mystérieux.. La ballade depuis le bas du château vous le fait apprécier plus encore..incontournable!!

Pur non comunicando le emozioni di altri castelli catari, Puilarens risulta essere uno dei più grandi, e sicuramente il più facile da riggiungere è a una manciata di minuti dalla strada principale). Anche la passeggiata / gradinata per accedervi non è delle più dificili. La struttura è ben conservata, con mura merlate vari ambienti visitabili, ma non ha la posizione dominante delle altre fortezze: è infatti l'unica che ha vicino a se alture più elevate di quella su cui è stata costruita.

Wir waren schon in ein paar der anderen "Katharerburgen" und diese gehört zu den Schöneren. Lage und Aussicht sind sehr schön und es ist verwunderlich, dass dies Katharerburg in Reiseführern nicht höher eingestuft wird.Es ist ein wenig teuer und der Aufstieg erfordert schon eine gewisse "Grundfitness" und festes Schuhwerk ist zu empfehlenAm Parkplatz / Souveniershop gibt es eine Toilette.