Cascastel-des-Corbières

Cascastel -des- Corbières is a municipality with 217 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) in France. It is situated in the Aude department in the Languedoc- Roussillon region.

Location

Cascastel -des- Corbières is located in the eastern foothills of the highlands of the Corbières at an altitude of about 150 meters above sea level. inst. The next largest cities are Narbonne (about 40 km north-east route ) and Perpignan (about 50 kilometers south-east ).

Demographics

Economy

Much of the agricultural land is used for growing grapes. The vineyards lie within the protected designations of origin Corbières, Rivesaltes, Muscat de Rivesaltes and Fitou. Tourism also ( rental of holiday homes), plays a certain role in the revenue of the municipality.

History

The history of the small and secluded location is not much known. From the Albigensian Crusade (1209-1229) the place seems to have remained untouched. In the 13th century, the abbey of Sainte -Marie de Lagrasse and secular lord ( seigneurs ) shared the lordship over the place. In the 14th century there were repeated attacks by the Aragonese side.

Attractions

• The Château of Cascastel (or better: the castle tower ) dates from the 12th century and is located on the outskirts on the - often dried up - river Berre. In the 17th and 18th centuries, the medieval castle was extended by some rather inconspicuous newer additions; from this time may have come also the rising bridge, the castle and town to the other side of the river to connect. The walls of the tower are about 2.50 meters thick; the former entrance led - as in the Middle Ages usual - to the first floor with its 8 -meter high vaulted representation and ballroom. The basement was the guards reserved. As part of a conversion measure some window openings were inserted into the masonry, to allow more light into the two floors of the tower; on the well -defended river leads into a masonry sunken narrow stone stairs to the formerly not covered guard platform. Since 1948 the castle tower is recognized as a monument historique.
• The winemakers of the place offer several options for wine tasting ( Tasting ).

Partnership

Partner Municipality of Cascastel since 2009, the Alsatian Pfastatt in Mulhouse.