Occitanie · Aude, France

Château de Peyrepertuse

The 'celestial Carcassonne' — a citadel fused along 300 metres of limestone ridge nearly 800 metres up in the Corbières. One of the 'five sons of Carcassonne' guarding the old frontier with Aragon, its keep of Sant Jordi was reached by a staircase cut into the cliff on royal orders.

At a glance

Built: 11th–13th centuries; royal works after 1240
Style: Ridge-top royal citadel
Commissioned by: Kings of Aragon, then of France
Signature feature: Fortifications fused to a 300 m limestone ridge crest
Rank: One of the 'five sons of Carcassonne' frontier fortresses
Cathar era: Sheltered faidit knights before submitting to the crown in 1240
Head for heights: The Sant Jordi keep is reached by the vertiginous Saint-Louis stair
Visiting: Open to visitors (weather permitting)