It’s time again for Frizztext’s A to Z Challenge, this week it’s Q. From my travels, Q could be for Quedlinburg, Quéribus….
But I’m going for Quertinheux, which is one of the four Cathar Castles collectively known as the Chateaux de Lastours (the other three are Cabaret, Surdespine and Tour Régine). These chateaux are located in the commune of Lastours in the Aude department in France. The four castles are on the top of a crest on a north-south axis with Quertinheux the southernmost.
There is some information at the Pays Cathar site in English here.
I posted about Puilaurens last week. Lastours was also challenging for me because of the distance I had to walk, and it was quite a climb up to Quertinheux which was the object of my little trek, as I knew there were good views of a couple of the other towers from the ramparts. In true French style, there were skinny little tracks with steep drops and no railings. I practically crawled up the last bit, I was so concerned about falling!
The view was great, but the weather was disappointingly overcast that day.
Chateaux de Lastours, Quertinheux is the bottom one, closest to camera
View out from the Quertinheux ramparts (to Tour Régine, and furthest away, Cabaret)
See more Q here
WordsVisual 
I like the framing of that second shot.
Have to admit, I had seen similar shots…. And was too exhausted by the time I got up there to do much else!! I sat contemplating the view for yonks 🙂
🙂
The view through the arch is magnificent, Sue. What a place to build a castle!
What a place indeed! But castle builders usually found some pretty dramatic sites…in Wales, Carreg Cennen, Cilgerran and Dolbadarn spring to mind. In Austria Hochosterwitz…. Etc etc! 🙂
Ahhh, makes me want to return …
Glad my images triggered memories! 🙂
Lovely. I haven’t been to that part even though we travelled France in 1976…Since then only Paris and the usual places you pass by the road. Great view and – you survived the climb!
That one and the one at Puilaurens!
the Quedlinburg Castle for sure also is a good aim for a travel to do list:
http://www.reisefuehrer-deutschland.de/sachsen-anhalt/harz/quedlinburg/kirche-und-schloss-quedlinburg.htm
D’you know, I don’t recall the castle at Qued…
That track looks very scary, especially with no safety rails.
Indeed, I have no head for heights! But I was determined to get to my destination!
The photos showed it was worth the effort…
Good! 🙂
Glad you made the trek… the beautiful images and I’m sure your memories are worth it.
Stunning. So picturesque!
I have so many future nostalgias from trips made…which makes it a little more bearable now my health is compromised…but I am still travelling where and when I can! Keep those nostalgias coming! 🙂
Wow, never heard about before .. we learn something new everyday – and I have spent a lot of time in France and must been very close … because I been in Carcassonne. You doing some serious climbing to get those image. Well done with A-Z challenge..
Thanks, Viveka! No climbing, just a very steep walk/crawl up those paths! 🙂
The view on the second image is very famous. Good work, Sue.
Many thanks, Victor 🙂