Montségur

History

The earliest signs of settlement in the area date back to the time of the Neanderthals, tens of thousands of years ago.

Evidence of Roman occupation such as Roman currency and tools have also been found in and around the site. The name "Montségur" comes from Latin mons securus ("secure mountain") which evolved into mont ségur in Occitan.

In the year 1204 CE the chateau was fortified to guard the southern frontier.

In the Middle Ages the Montségur region was ruled by the Counts of Toulouse, the Viscounts of Carcassonne and finally the Counts of Foix. In 1243–44, the Cathars (a religious movement considered heretical by the Catholic Church) who had sought refuge at the Montségur fortress were besieged by 10,000 troops, in what is now known as the siege of Montségur. In March 1244, the Cathars finally surrendered and approximately 244 were burned en masse in a bonfire at the foot of the pog when they refused to renounce their faith. Some 25 took the ultimate Cathar vow of consolamentum perfecti in the two weeks before the final surrender. The Inquisitors kept faithful accounts and included the names of many, who are remembered every year on the anniversary of the massacre on 16 March. These names are also displayed at the museum in the village of Montsegur.

Population

1962|97| 1968|167| 1975|143| 1982|131| 1990|124| 1999|117| 2008|108|

References

References

1. (13 September 2022). "Répertoire national des élus: les maires". data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises.