Château de Peyrepertuse — Attraction in Narbonne

Entry fee is avoidable if you walk up from Rouffiac and take the (slightly precipitous) stone stair on the North side. It was hailing and slippery when I was there, but there's no such thing as bad weather, just bad equipment (it also meant I was there alone and if you like a good ruined castle, what better time to see it than in a thunder- and hail-storm. (Own cape and black stallion required). Best place to view the castle (the next day, when the sun came out) has to be from the peak to the West. To get there, follow the walking track that comes up from Duilhac. Cross the road and head West and up past the Caune du Castel. When you come out of the trees, you can move back east over scree until you are on the ridgeback and have a view of Chateaux Peyreperteuse, Queribus and Padern, the Pech des Faysettes, the Tour de Tautavel, the Mediterranean. Looking back to the West from your high vantage, Bugarach looms, and South there's the pass to St Paul which gives a splendid view of the Pyrenees stretching away. There's a farm on the shoulder of Peyreperteuse that uses pasture higher up in the pass so there's the sound of cow bells to accompany your reverie... Canigou had an excellent covering of snow in March. Wildflowers everywhere amongst the scree. Bumblebees. A very large white and purple mantis that wasn't quite sure what to do about me. The scent of wild thyme and rosemary with every step. No entry fee for all this. Spend the entry fee you avoided on saucisse or saucisson sec, pain, un orange, quelques olives et peut-etre un morceau des fromages divers qu'on peut acheter en Soulatge (jours du marche). Kick back and watch the paragliders catch the thermals... If you get a chance to give one a lift back up the hill when they land down in the valley, do. I learned much about Perpignan despite my execrable French and his worse English. I had access to a car at the time - if you are on foot, probably wise not to give them a lift - it's a long climb with that...

Having read some of the 1 and 2 star comments I'm left wondering what people were expecting from a UNESCO classified world heritage site that is ultimately ruined castle on the top of a mountain in the French pyrenees. The hanging gardens of babylon? Sandringham house? Herds of wildebeest roaming across the savanna? The Palace of versailles? It's a long drive though some very pretty but narrow villages and switchback roads. The parking is plentiful, but larger vehicles will need to park further down the hill. From the ticket office, it's a 15 to 20 minute walk over rough terrain - all this information is on their website - and no, you can't do it with a wheelchair. Take snacks and take plenty of water as there's no refreshments in the castle. It's worth the effort, a small guidebook or audio tour will give some background into its construction and purpose, and from the highest point the views across to the Mediterranean and the spanish border are fantastic. You can also see some of the other Cather strongholds and gain an understanding as to how they protected each other and communicated. If you're expecting decorated rooms and reconstructions, you'll be disappointed, but if you're looking to learn more about the Middle Ages and the dark times of the inquisition, then it's...

If you like exploring ruined Cathar castles, then you are in for a treat. A very windy road leads up to several small car parks, for small busses, campervans and finally cars! Note there is a wheelchair ramp, but this castle IS NOT wheelchair accessible. The ramp just leads to the gift shop. The trail up to the castle is a mix of slippy polished stones. If you are wearing runners with decent grips you will be fine. The castle itself is broken into two main areas, the first being lower down. I would walk past this and take it in on the way back down. The upper castle offers some incredible views, with some huge cliffs and drops. There is an old ruined chapel and a few good viewing spots. Decend from here back to the first area, where there are more rooms to explore. Note there is no coffee shop, however you are not far from the nearby town to get...