Montségur (French pronunciation: [mɔ̃seɡyʁ]; Languedocien: Montsegur) is a town in the Ariège department in southwestern France. It is well known for its fortress, the Château de Montségur, which was built on a mountain called the "pog" atop the ruins of one of the last strongholds of the Cathars. The current fortress at the site, though referred to as one of the "Cathar castles," was constructed in a later time period. It has been recognized as a historic site by the French Ministry of Culture since 1862. According to the book Holy Blood, Holy Grail, Montségur was the location of a mythical treasure linked to the Holy Grail, which was quickly removed before the Cathars surrendered.

History

The earliest signs of people living in the area go back to the time of the Neanderthals, many thousands of years ago.

Archaeologists have found evidence of Roman presence, such as coins and tools, near the site. The name "Montségur" comes from the Latin words "mons securus," meaning "secure mountain," which later became "mont ségur" in Occitan.

In 1204 CE, the castle was strengthened to protect the southern border.

During the Middle Ages, the Montségur region was ruled by the Counts of Toulouse, the Viscounts of Carcassonne, and finally the Counts of Foix. Between 1243 and 1244, the Cathars, a religious group the Catholic Church called heretical, were at the Montségur fortress. They were surrounded by about 10,000 soldiers in an event now called the siege of Montségur. In March 1244, the Cathars surrendered. About 244 people were burned in a large fire at the foot of the pog because they refused to abandon their beliefs. Around 25 others took the Cathar vow called "consolamentum perfecti" in the two weeks before surrendering. Inquisitors recorded the names of many people involved, and these names are remembered each year on March 16, the anniversary of the event. The names are also shown at the museum in the village of Montsegur.