LES SENTINELLES DE L’ORBIEL

Description

Natural

Orbiel is the name of the river that runs through the lower part of the village of Lastours.

One of its tributaries, the Grésilhou, gathers its waters very close to the building open to visitors from all over the world, curious to discover the castles of the Cathar country. Further upstream, these two rivers encircle the rocky spur, cutting into two deep valleys whose walls provide effective protection for the four citadels. The quickest way to reach the plateau is via the path built above the small stream, which has increasingly dried up.

The path was once a popular route for miners on their way to the gold mine near the village of Villanière. Along the way, they passed textile workers whose old workshops are now used to welcome visitors to the châteaux. From being a ‘labour path’, it became a hiking trail, guiding walkers to the ‘belvedere’ promontory. The observatory offers an extraordinary view of the Four Castles of Lastours.

The return loop via the hamlet of Lacombe is restful and luminous, with this majestic site always as a backdrop.