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Origin and history

Miramont Castle is a former Cathar castle located in the Ariège department, in the communes of Rabat-les-Trois-Seigneurs and Saurat. Attested since at least the 11th century, it was completely shaved in 1247. Its support terraces remain visible on a rocky ridge called the round rock or the gendarme hat, overlooking the Courbière valley. A very steep pog and a complementary watch tower on the Calames Pog allowed to monitor the Ariège valley, masked by the Quié rock.

In 779 a text mentioned that Miramont was monitoring an area occupied by the Saracens, although this reference had to be confirmed. In the 11th century, the castle was under the authority of Raymond-Roger de Foix, Count of Foix and Suzerain of King Peter II of Aragon. He became a refuge for the perfect Cathars, including Bernard de Salsenac, Raimond Tournier, and Guilhabert de Castres, which earned him a local reputation as the last Cathar castle, although the castle of Niort-de-Sault fell eight years later.

In 1247, Roger IV de Foix razed the castle and stripped Raymond de Rabat of his property on the pretext of heresy. The latter instituted a trial in 1250 to challenge this spoliation. The site, now in ruins, preserves traces of its medieval past and its strategic role in the region during the crusades against the Albigois.

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