b'THE ALBIGENSIAN CRUSADE Scan here for the full DESTRUCTION OF THE CATHARSitinerary31 May06 June 2026 Historical Background7 days From the 11th century a movement emerged within the Catholic Church Expert Historian: which challenged accepted church teachings through a form of Dualism. Dr Gregory LippiattThese Cathars (from the Greek for pure ones) believed that a good God had created everything immaterial and a bad force everything material. Activity Level: 2 The movement gained traction particularly in Languedoc (south-east France) and Cathars were known by the Catholic Church as Albigensians, after the town of Albi where they thought the heresy was centred. The On this 6-night and 7-day tour we journeyChurch tried various forms of propaganda to try to convince the Cathars to through the Land of the Cathars to tracecome back into the fold but by the early 1200s war seemed certain. In 1208 the events of the Albigensian CrusadePope Innocent III declared a Crusade against the heretics, a word hitherto (120929) and the attempt to extinguish thereserved for military missions to the Holy Land or Baltics. perceived heresy of Catharism in southern France. Travelling by coach from our basesThe Albigensian Crusade (120929) was savage and unrelenting in its in Carcassonne and near Couiza we visit thepursuit of Cathars. It has been estimated that half a million men, women and main castles and villages which had Catharchildren were massacred, Catholics as well as heretics. So indiscriminate connections and learn about the nature ofwas this slaughter that when the town of Bziers was captured the Abbott-this heresy, its causes, consequences andCommander, Arnaud Amaury, gave the dreadful command: Kill them all! eventual violent destruction.- the Lord will recognise His own. The Cathars retreated to the many castles and fortifications that today make this area so absorbing. This led to a series From the city of Carcassonne we gain a fineof sieges many of which were conducted by the English knight Simon de appreciation of France in the medieval periodMontfort, father of the more famous personage. By 1244 a renewed Crusade and the evocative cityscape, although heavilyexpunged the last vestiges of Catharism at Montsgur where around 220 restored, is a rare glimpse into the urban worldvictims were burned alive. of medieval Europe. We travel to Lastours where we explore the remarkable Four Castles, a significant Cathar centre, and at the castles of Minerve, Saissac, Termes, Arques and Puivert we admire ruins steeped in the desperate plight of the Cathar sect. Some of these castles surrendered without a fight but for those that stubbornly refused retribution came swiftly in the form of siege after which Cathars who refused to recant were usually burned to death. The most ruthless and well-known example of this was at Montsgur. Our tour also visits villages where important events in the Cathar story took place such as Fanjeaux which hosted the Great Assembly of 1204. The tour does involve some uphill walking including the 40-minute ascent on a path to Montsgur.Day 1Fly London Heathrow to Toulouse or join tour at Carcassonne hotelDrive to Carcassonne - hotel for 4 nights (D)Day 2 Lastours: Four Castles - Cabaret, Quertinheux, Surdespine and TourRgine; Minerve (B,D) ESSENTIALS Day 3 Fanjeaux, Saissac (B,D)4-star hotels, meals as indicated,Day 4 Full day at Carcassonne, incl Chteau Comtal and ramparts Free time (B)drinks with dinner, all entrance fees,Day 5 Termes, Arques Hotel near Couiza - 2 nights (B,L,D)tour manager and expert historianDay 6Puivert, Montsgur (B,D)throughout, all internal travel. Day 7Foix castle Fly Toulouse to London Heathrow (or extend stay in France) (B)www.theculturalexperience.com I info@theculturalexperience.com I UK0345 475 1815 I USA(toll-free) 877 209 5620 www.theculturalexperience.com I info@theculturalexperience.com I UK0345 475 1815 I USA(toll-free) 877 209 5620 255926 TCE BROCHURE 2025-26_Aug25.indd 25 22/08/2025 13:35'