Lavelanet of the Ariege

Medieval street in Lavelanet

The story of Shadows of Montsegur takes place in and near the Medieval town of Lavelanet. This lovely village grew up beside the Touyre River and at the foot of "Castelsarrasin", a castle that belonged to the Count of Foix. The castle was destroyed in 1212 by the Crusaders of Simon de Montfort, and rebuilt during the Renaissance, and finally demolished in 1964. 

Touyre River

For centuries, Lavelanet was famous for their textiles. Now the factory is a museum and gift shop, but the smokestack is still standing.

As a result of the Treaty of Paris in 1229, Toulouse became subject to King Louis of France, changing the world of the Languedoc forever. Lavelanet fell under the lordship of Mirepoix.

River Touyre

The first Catholic church in Lavelanet was established by the monks of Saint Sernin in the 9th century. The first building served for hundreds of years, and the present church house was built in the 1600's. Here are a few photos of the interior.

Madonna

Confessional

Countryside

Textile factory smoke stack now stands

The green countryside allows for a lovely scenic drive.

The ruins of the fortress of Montsegur can be seen in the distance from the village of Lavelanet.

One of the oldest structures in Lavelanet

Walk the streets of the enchanting village of Lavelanet in the Shadows of Montsegur. Learn about the Cathars, their beliefs, and why they had to choose between their religion and life.

Shadows of Montsegur, A Tale of the Cathars, book trailer

Available at Amazon

Shadows of Montsegur, A Tale of the Cathars

A religious people are persecuted for their belief, driven from their homes, and must run from an extermination order issued by those who fear them.

The year is 1144. Andreva de Beringer is joyful upon her uncle’s summons to leave the abbey in Toulouse, where she is novice, to care for her grandmother, but she arrives in Lavelanet to find a village gripped by the turmoil and terror of the Inquisition. While Andreva strives to hold on to her family, her faith, and the man she loves, all around her Good Men (believers in the Cathar religion) must fight for the same—as well as for life itself. 

In the right place, but at a dreadfully wrong time, and under the wrath of the Inquisition, might this faith-filled but naïve girl be forced to witness the massacre and burning of every Cathar man, woman, and child, and also lose the young farmer she loves?

The venturesome reader, students of history, and the romantic at heart can learn from this seldom-told tale of medieval history at its darkest.

Available at Amazon.