Cordes-Sur-Ciel

Visitors who are interested in Cathar history tend to forget that the Cathars did not build castles or indeed anything. This was a "poor man's" religion with no trappings, no glory on this earth and no lasting monument. However the Lords of the region did, they built the castles and strong holds to which the Cathars looked for refuge.

The best preserved of these medieval bastides is just a short distance to the north of Albi. Cordes-sur-Ciel, or as it was "Cordes" was built in 1222 by Raimon VII, the count of Toulouse and well known Cathar heretic.

During the 20th century the town was "discovered" by artists and Albert Camus, on visiting in the 50's, remarked

"In Cordes,everything is beautiful, even regret"

This image courtesy of the tourism board

and this photo courtesy of jamesbuerk