The national press at the heart of the Royal Fortresses of Languedoc

On May 13 and 14, 2025, eight journalists from national press outlets were invited to discover the Royal Fortresses of Languedoc as part of a press trip organized by the Aude Department and the World Heritage Mission Association.

First introduction to the UNESCO candidacy

Over two days, this immersive journey allowed them to explore the fortress territory, visit five emblematic sites – Montségur, Lastours, the ramparts of Carcassonne, Peyrepertuse and Quéribus – and meet several stakeholders involved in promoting the property. A rich program, punctuated by heritage discoveries and some historical stair climbs.

The first day began in Toulouse, the meeting point for the journalists, where they were welcomed by Anaïs Monrozier, project manager at AMPM. The bus journey to Montségur provided an initial introduction to the candidacy and the serial property.

Upon their arrival, the participants were received at the castle’s reception building by Hélène Sandragné, President of the Aude Department, and Didier Trémolières, municipal councilor of Montségur. After reaching the site, they took a guided tour led by Fabrice Chambon, the town’s cultural attaché, enhanced by a presentation of ongoing consolidation and enhancement work, given by Simon Petot-Bottin, heritage architect. They also learned about the Grand Site de France labeling project, supported by the Pays d’Olmes community of communes and presented by Benoît Combes, head of the Project division.

Their role in the history of Languedoc

In the afternoon, the group continued its discovery in Lastours with a meeting with Max Brail, the town’s mayor. From the viewpoint, the journalists discovered the location of the four castles of Lastours and their role in the history of Languedoc, presented by the tour guide Agnès Despratx.

At the end of the day, the delegation reached the City of Carcassonne for a tour of the ramparts, accompanied by historical insights provided by Nicolas Faucherre, a member of the candidacy’s scientific committee, as part of a visit organized by the Centre des monuments nationaux. The evening concluded with a dinner at the Hôtel de la Cité.

Understanding the challenges of biodiversity preservation

The next day, the journalists visited Peyrepertuse castle, guided by David Maso, architecture and archaeology project manager at AMPM, and Agnès Daubrège, tour guide. A discussion with naturalist Christophe Savon then allowed them to address the challenges of biodiversity preservation and the actions taken in this regard. The last stage of the trip led them to Cucugnan, where the mayor, André Doumenc, received them before a visit to Quéribus castle and a presentation by Elisabeth Limorthé, site manager, on the mediation tools implemented to promote this exceptional heritage.