Château de Termes

When the Albigensian Crusades began, Ramon (Raymond) de Termes, being a vassal of Trencavel, Viscount of Carcassonne, fought the crusade. In 1210 Simon de Montfort decided to force the castle of Termes into submission. The defenders resisted for four months. Finally, however, it was the shortage of water and dysentery which forced the besieged to surrender in November 1210. Ramon de Termes was taken prisoner and died later in a prison in Carcassonne.

In 1228 the castle became a royal French fortress. Over four centuries the castle was occupied by a French garnison securing the border.

When the border was moved further south in the 17th century, the castle lost its function. It was taken over by brigands who pillaged the surrounding country. To stop this, it was demolished by royal decree. Between 1653 and 1654 the walls were blown up with gunpowder.

The site was forgotten until the first conservation measures were taken in the mid-20th century.

www.castle.chateau-termes.com/index.html