Languedoc Royal Fortresses and 24 Other Sites Inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage List
On July 26, during the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Busan, South Korea, the royal fortresses of Languedoc were officially added to the UNESCO World Heritage List after a candidacy period exceeding 20 years. Initially referred to as "Cathar castles," the name was altered to emphasize their role as a military defense network established by the Capetian monarchy. This site encompasses Carcassonne, Aguilar, Lastours, Montségur, Peyrepertuse, Puilaurens, Quéribus, and Termes. UNESCO commended their integration with the landscape, underscoring the authority of the monarchy in the 13th century. The renaming incited debate, leading to a petition with over 9,500 signatures. Additionally, France achieved the inscription of five Normandy D-Day landing beaches, among other significant sites, resulting in a total of 25 new entries.
Key facts
- The royal fortresses of Languedoc were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List on July 26, 2024.
- The inscription was made during the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee in Busan, South Korea.
- The site was renamed from 'Cathar castles' to 'royal fortresses of Languedoc' to correct historical confusion.
- The fortresses were built or remodeled by the Capetian monarchy after the conquest of Languedoc.
- The ensemble includes Carcassonne and the fortresses of Aguilar, Lastours, Montségur, Peyrepertuse, Puilaurens, Quéribus, and Termes.
- A petition against the name change gathered over 9,500 signatures.
- The Normandy D-Day landing beaches were also inscribed as 'memory sites' under new UNESCO criteria.
- 25 new sites were inscribed in total, bringing the list to 1,273 sites in 173 countries.
- Other inscriptions include Sidi Bou Saïd (Tunisia), six medinas in the Comoros, and Italian-style theaters in central Italy.
- South Sudan and São Tomé and Príncipe received their first World Heritage inscriptions.
Entities
Institutions
- UNESCO
- World Heritage Committee
Locations
- Languedoc
- Busan
- South Korea
- Carcassonne
- Aguilar
- Lastours
- Montségur
- Peyrepertuse
- Puilaurens
- Quéribus
- Termes
- Corbières
- Pyrenees
- Occitania
- Normandy
- Pointe du Hoc
- Arromanches
- Sidi Bou Saïd
- Tunisia
- Comoros
- Italy
- South Sudan
- São Tomé and Príncipe
- France