Mirepoix

The town of Mirepoix, located between Carcassonne and Foix, is largely a well-preserved medieval town.

Every Monday there is a market highly recommended!!!

Worth seeing are the St-Maurice Cathedral and the Place des Couverts, completely surrounded by wooden covered galleries and half-timbered houses, of which the Consuls House is undoubtedly the most original.

Every year in the month of July, medieval festivals in the middle of the city revive old times.

Mirepoix is mentioned in history for the first time in the fifth century. Traces of former habitation indicate the presence of Celts and Gallo-Romans. From 1060 there are clear indications of a settlement along the banks of the Hers.

In 1209 Simon de Montfort, during the crusade against the Albigeois (Cathars), took the feudal castle at Mirepoix. De Montfort donated the castle to one of his lieutenants, Guy de Lévis. Then a close relationship of Mirepoix began with the lord of the castle in his house.

In 1279 there was a flood, which was caused by the breaking of a rock wall at the Lac de Puivert. Mirepoix, located close to the river, was completely flooded. There are still remains to be found at the source of the Cordeliers and the old monastery gate.

Guy Lévis III decided to offer the inhabitants of Mirepoix a higher piece of land, where the city could be rebuilt. In 1304, under the reign of Jean Lévis I, the new city was completed. The city was built entirely according to the rules as a bastide town.

After 1317, the city expanded considerably, after Pope John XXIII declared Mirepoix the capital of a new diocese. An episcopal palace and monastery were built. The church was elevated to cathedral, cathédrale Saint-Maurice.

The cathedral has the largest Gothic nave in France (22 x 48 meters) In 1343, the construction of the heart of the church and the five chapels took place. In 1412, among other things, the chapter followed.

Around 1500, the humanist bishop Philippe de Lévis made several embellishments and extensions, including the Gothic portal and the tower.

Little remains of the episcopal palace originally built by Philippe de Lévis, which borders the church.

Unfortunately, in early 1355 le Prince Noir and a gang of experienced adventurers destroyed the area.

Jean Petit captured and sacked Mirepoix in 1362. The whole southern part of the city up to the cathedral was destroyed by a great brand. It was decided to better secure the city by constructing ramps, which correspond to the four avenues around the city center. Four gates gave access to the city.

The citizens, who had left the city because of the sack, received permission from Roger Bernard de Lévis I to return in 1382.

Mirepoix is rightly known for its galleries. The central square is surrounded on all sides by wooden roofs under the first floor of the houses.

La Maison du dr. Vigarozy (nº 27) is the only remaining house with a complete façade from the end of the fifteenth century. On the other side of the main square is the only part of the gallery, which predates the fire of 1362.

The gallery of la Maison des Consuls (former courthouse) is rightly famous for its sculptures. The building became the seat of the city's magistrates in the early 1500s by order of King Louis XII. On July 4, 1664, a fire destroyed the entire gallery (Grand Couvert). After that, the enigmatic sculptures must have been applied. No one is the same. The mystery behind the various representations will always be hidden. Despite the fact that the ravages of time have gnawed at these pieces of art, they are worth all the attention.

There are a large number of signs to admire in Mirepoix, in various styles and with very different representations.

Monday there is a market in Mirepoix.