Minerve, a Cathar village

During the mediaeval period, the viscounts of Minerve built a mighty castle here.
In 1210, it was besieged by Simon de Montfort, the military leader of the crusade against the Cathar heresy. Bombarded by catapults and deprived of water, the Parfaits (the name given to the Cathars) refused to recant their faith and were sentenced to be burned alive.
 After the pillaging of the town of Béziers in 1209, the siege of Minerve was one of the key events in the struggle which raged throughout the Cathar region.
You can discover the history of this site during your visit to the Hurepel Museum.

The village is perched on a rocky headland carved out by two rivers. Thanks to the action of the water, two natural Bridges appeared. These take the form of tunnels carved out of the limestone plateau.
During the summer months you can cross the river to go under these impressive arches without getting your feet wet!