Mapping the Sentinel mountain Castles: 3D LiDAR Modeling for UNESCO World Heritage Certification

The Association Mission Patrimoine Mondial (AMPM) commissioned a comprehensive aerial LiDAR survey to support the UNESCO World Heritage certification process for the Sentinel Mountain castles, “Les Châteaux Cathares,” in Carcassonne, France. These 13th-century fortified castles span 60 kilometers of rugged, mountainous terrain and serve as a testament to medieval military architecture.

The mission aimed to create detailed 3D models of seven key sites, identifying archaeological remains and detecting previously undiscovered ruins for future exploration. The project utilized the YellowScan Explorer LiDAR solution mounted on a light helicopter, capturing both photogrammetry resources and high-density LiDAR point cloud data. The results provided precise topographical and architectural insights, enriching the understanding of these historical sites and justifying the expansion of their protection zone under UNESCO classification.