Sarah De Winne The Lastours Castles (or Châteaux de Lastours) are hidden in the picturesque region of Occitanie in the South of France. These fascinating ruins stand as silent guardians of a bygone era and are perched high on a rugged outcrop. Steeped in medieval history, these four Cathar Castles invite adventurous visitors and history enthusiasts to step into the past.
The Lastours Castles offer visitors a unique opportunity to explore four Cathar Castles in one magnificent location. The 1,000-year-old ruins command exceptional views over the surrounding valley and hide ancient secrets. They are the perfect place to hike, picnic and discover local history.
As local residents of Occitanie, we aim to share hidden gems and highlight the best places to visit in the Cathar country, a region rich in history and heritage. We recently visited the fascinating Châteaux de Lastours and wrote this informative guide to convey our first-hand experience of this historic site. It offers both a personal account and valuable information, as well as practical tips to improve your visit.
What are the Lastours Castles?
Lastours Castles (Châteaux de Lastours) is a vast archaeological site featuring the ruins of four 12th Century castles. The names of the four castles of Lastours are Quertinheux, Surdespine, Cabaret and the Tour Régine.
In all, the ruins cover a 14-hectare site. They are located on top of a rocky pinnacle in the Orbiel valley within the Black Mountains (Montagne Noire).
How to Visit the Lastours Castles
To visit the Lastours Castles, head to the village of Lastours in Aude, Occitanie in southern France. The village is located on the D101, 25-minutes north of Carcassonne by car. The Lastours Castles are accessed via a small Visitor Centre. There is free car parking at the entrance of the village.
Is it Worth Visiting the Lastours Castles?
In our opinion, the Lastours Castles are worth visiting for the breath-taking panoramic views alone! However, the site also offers visitors an intriguing glimpse into medieval history and provide adventure enthusiasts with hiking trails that reveal the region’s natural beauty.
Beyond its historical and scenic charm, Châteaux de Lastours provides entertainment for all ages. Visitors can climb its towers, explore mysterious caves, and discover hidden passages. This creates an immersive and enjoyable experience for both adults and kids alike.
5 Convincing Reasons to Make the Journey to Lastours Castles
Based on our personal experience, read on to get a feel for what awaits you at Châteaux de Lastours. In addition, discover 5 reasons why they are a must-see destination in Occitanie:
1. Magnificent Panoramic Views of the Far-Reaching French Landscape
The first part of the walk uphill from the Châteaux de Lastours Visitor Centre was fairly unremarkable. However, this soon changed! After climbing a series of stone steps that zig zagged through small trees, the views suddenly revealed themselves in every direction and they were truly unbelievable!
Towering above us, we could see the incredible sight of the four castle ruins perched majestically along a ridge. Surrounding the ridge, as far as the eye could see, were sweeping views of the French landscape.
We were mesmerised by the unspoilt, green folds of the valley and the river below. The Montagne Noire encircled us like a cocoon, and we could even see the Pyrenees in the distance! It really felt like the four Châteaux de Lastours were sentries guarding this special place.
Without doubt, the views from the Castles of Lastours are phenomenally beautiful from each side of the rocky outcrop.
If you have time, it is worth following the trails and walking around the whole site. This will take about 3 hours. Believe us, the landscape surrounding the Châteaux de Lastours will not disappoint!
TOP TIP: Climb the Towers for a Bird’s Eye View!
Once at the top of the site, you can visit each of the 4 Châteaux de Lastours in turn. Despite being partly in ruins, the site still allows access to the turrets that give vantage points in every direction. A dream for photographers like us!
To enjoy an even higher bird’s eye view, we highly recommend climbing each of the towers. Some of the spiral staircases inside are a little hidden. However, this added to the fun and the views were worth the climb!
At the top of the Cabaret castle tower, you will find a large open terrace. This allows particularly spectacular views of the Tour Régine, Quertinheux and Surdespine.
In addition, we also loved the view from the Surdespine castle ruins. This looks back on the Tour Régine and Cabaret castle.
2. A Captivating Atmosphere and a Sense of Medieval History
In addition to the incredible views from the Châteaux de Lastours, our visit also gave us a real sense of history. Although the site is well-maintained, it has not been over preserved which added to its authentic atmosphere. You could almost imagine life as the Lords of Caberet, Cathars or villagers who once lived here.
Look out for the intriguing Trou de la Cité (hole in the city). This leads to a network of underground caves and tunnels. According to local legend, the Cathars fled the Cité of Carcassonne via these passageways to reach the safety of the Châteaux de Lastours!
TOP TIP: Read About the History of the Châteaux de Lastours Before Your Visit
Although there are information boards explaining the history of each of the Châteaux of Lastours, they are written in French. If you are English speaking and interested in history, we recommend that you read about the Châteaux of Lastours before your visit. There is a lot to take in!
Here is a link to access an online version of the Lastours Tour Guide in English. Scroll down the page to download the PDF.
3. Scenic Hiking Trails Amongst Natural Beauty
The Châteaux de Lastours are scattered along a 400m long rocky ridge that is 300m above the valley floor. Once at the top, there is a scenic hiking trail around the whole site. The trail enables you to visit each of the castle ruins in turn.
By following the trail, you can also visit other places of interest. These include the ruins of the Blacksmith’s forge and the archaeological remains of a medieval village (Castrum of Cabaret).
We recommend that you continue to follow the hiking trail beyond the Cabaret tower and forge. This leads to the far side of the ridge and valley.
Here, the new trail is formed of metal walkways and steps overlooking more beautiful landscape. This shady trail leads to the fourth castle of Surdespine. On your way, you will pass through cool caves and cross a suspended metal bridge with stunning views.
Before you visit Lastours Castles, be aware that the route up to the ruins is steep and rocky with many steps. However, there are guide rails and ropes to help with steep inclines and stairs. In addition, there are plenty of lovely spots to rest and enjoy the views!
The trail around the Lastours Castles is not really suitable for puschairs or visitors with mobility issues. If this affects you, our other article explains how you can still appreciate the magnificence of Lastours Castles from Belvédère.
TOP TIP: Be Prepared for a Challenging Walk!
When you visit the Lastours Castles, our advice is to wear sensible sturdy shoes! The trail involves many steps and rough terrain. Walking the entire trail will take at least 2-3 hours, so it is probably best to avoid flip flops!
If you plan to visit in the summer months, it is best to visit early in the day. Like this, you will avoid the high temperatures that the South of France is known for!
In addition, bring plenty of water and snacks. There are no facilities for refreshments once you leave the Visitor Centre below the Lastours Castles.
4. Fun and Entertainment for Visitors of All Ages
A visit to the Lastours Castles offers fun and entertainment for visitors of all ages. In addition to learning about the history of the Chateaux de Lastours, you can also discover its secrets. There are mysterious caves, hidden passageways, and local legends to discover!
There is also a lot to keep children entertained during the walk around the Lastours Castles. Children will love climbing narrow spiral staircases, peering through tiny windows, and hiding in castle ruins and caves!
Finally, there are commanding views from the Lastours Castles over the surrounding countryside. The unspoilt natural setting gives all visitors a chance to discover local flora and fauna and spot wildlife.
TOP TIP: Keep Children Engaged with Simple Activities
During the hike, keep young children entertained with hassle-free activities. One simple idea is to buy a disposable camera (to avoid worries if it gets dropped!). Then, challenge children to take photos that record their day.
Alternatively, print out our free A-Z Scavenger Hunt printable template. Encourage children to search for objects around the site that begin with each letter. They can fill in the blanks during their visit and perhaps be rewarded with a small prize from the shop!
5. Value for Money and Budget Friendly Visit
The adult entrance fee to visit Lastours Castles is currently €8. For this price, visitors can explore four castles in a unique setting that resembles a fantasy film setting. There is also an informative trail to follow.
If you follow, the trail, a visit to Lastours Castle will fill at least half a day. A full day trip would allow time to climb all the towers, enjoy a leisurely picnic and explore the village.
Also included in the price of the entrance ticket to the Lastours Castles is access to the Belvédère. This is an unmissable viewpoint directly opposite the Châteaux de Lastours! Read on to discover more!
TOP TIP: Start Your Visit to the Lastours Castles at Belvédère
We highly recommend that you start your visit at Belvédère! This location offers the best view of the Lastours Castles from a vantage point across the valley.
The Belvédère site is also more accessible than the site of Lastours Castles. Visitors with young children in pushchairs or guests with mobility issues can enjoy unforgettable views of Lastours Castles without climbing!
The viewpoint from Belvédère has a large parking area with a short walk to the first viewing platform.
To learn more about Belvédère, please read our other useful article about how to enjoy the best views of Lastours Castles.
Among the Cathar castles, the Château de Quéribus occupies a special place. Nestled on a rocky peak, it offers spectacular views of the surrounding region. If you would like to know more about the history and architecture of this castle, I invite you to consult our dedicated article: Château de Quéribus.
