The largest ch?au fort in Europe is close to the Belgian border, at Sedan. On the river Rh? the towns of Tarascon and Beaucaire face each other on opposite banks Each has a ch?au fort, or fortified chateau. This was necessary because the river once formed the division between France and the Holy Roman Empire; even now, the west bank of the river is in the Languedoc and the east in Provence, an important distinction in southern France.Another well-fortified area is the P?gord, where the river Dordogne formed the border between English and French territory during the Hundred Years War. Very little of this castle now remains apart from the keep and part of the walls, but it is a scenic spot, and easy to see why the Avignon Popes chose it for their summer residence.RIVER DEEP, CHATEAUX HIGH? In frontier areas - both the borders of modern France and the ancient divisions between territories - you can find plenty of interesting castles. The term emerged in the late 19th century, when grand homes were built to go with the vineyards. Even wine producers who didn't possess a mansion realised that being called "Ch?au" could enhance the reputation of their wine, so the fashion developed for adding "Ch?au" to the family surname, as in the case of Ch?au Lafite-Rothschild.One wine-producing place that, once upon a time, did have a real chateau is Ch?auneuf-du-Pape, a village in the southern Rh?valley whose fortress was built by the Popes in the 14th century, during the period when they had moved from Rome to base themselves in Avignon. Most of the wine chateaux are in the Bordeaux area, and according to the very strict rules of the French wine industry, the name has to apply to a specific piece of land.
Damage to the castle during this episode was extensive but it was later rebuilt.CHATEAUX DU VIN? To oenophiles, a chateau is a wine-making estate, which may or may not have any buildings on the grounds: while Ch?au Margaux in the M?c has an imposing classical house as its centrepiece, the nearby Ch?au L?ille-Barton has no main edifice. One of the worst massacres of the crusade took place at the chateau of Monts?r, and the Cathars were severely weakened. A crusade against it was launched by the Pope and led by Simon de Montfort, who besieged the castles in which the Cathars sought sanctuary. Many of these are still standing, although in various states of ruin, and there is something dramatic and mysterious about them, increased by the way they are perched precariously high up in the hills.Peyrepertuse is a complex that consists of two castles, both now in ruins, but enough is left of them to give a good impression of what they must have been like in their heyday. Admission is €6.10 (4.50), which allows you to visit the museum and exhibition rooms, and to have a guided tour around the walls.In the 13th century, Carcassonne was one of a number of strongholds held by supporters of the Cathar sect, and they defended their territory by building a line of castles in the area.
Catharism was a heretical religious movement that took hold in the Languedoc region. The whole of La Cit?as this old part of Carcassonne is known, is fortified, and was heavily restored in the 19th century by the architect Viollet-le-Duc The castle remains rest against the walls on the west side It opens 9.40am-5.30pm daily (later in summer). The Ch?au Comtal (00 33 4 68 11 70 77; www.carcassonne.culture.fr) was built in the 12th century for the rulers of this part of the Languedoc It later became an important royal stronghold. The hill overlooking the river Aude on which the town is situated has been an important defensive stronghold since Roman times. One chateau worth visiting as much for* * its stunning surroundings as for what remains of the castle itself is within the walled city of Carcassonne.