was there cathers the ancient religious sect in la rochelle?

Yes, the Cathars were an ancient religious sect that emerged in the 12th century, primarily in the Languedoc region of France, which includes areas near La Rochelle. They held dualistic beliefs that contradicted the teachings of the Catholic Church, leading to significant persecution. The Cathars were ultimately targeted during the Albigensian Crusade in the early 13th century, which aimed to eliminate their influence. While La Rochelle was not a primary center for Catharism, their presence and the subsequent conflicts affected the broader region.