Mirepoix in a traveller’s view
The Ariege area of south-west France is a popular holiday destination thanks to its beautiful scenery and stunning countryside landscape, meaning there are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy during your trip. However, there are also a few picturesque towns and villages located nearby that will offer and all together, different experience.
Mirepoix is a small market town located in the north-east of Ariege. The town and it’s amazing architecture dates back to the 13th century. There used to be another part of the town which sat just opposite, across the river, but this was ruined by floods in 1209. Despite only some of the town surviving, you can still find a great deal of historical attractions in and around the area.
The main square in Mirepoix is your typical medieval bastide town. Here you can find half-timbered buildings supported above wooden arcades lining the streets. Every building was created to have its own characteristics and is different from its neighbours.
One fascinating feature of the homes in Mirepoix is the great level of detail on the fronts of the houses. There are numerous wood-carvings representing people, local animals and typical Mirepoix scenes. The Maison des Consuls house is a popular attraction thanks to its exterior featuring over 100 of these elaborate carvings.
Other historical structures that should be on your list of things to see, include the Mirepoix cathedral, complete with a typical gothic style and an entrance gateway that was once part of the town fortifications.
Thanks to its small size, many people only visit Mirepoix for the day,oftenas an excursion from Carcassonne. A great day to see this small ton come to life is a Monday when the weekly market is held and the town centre of the town.
This small town that won’t take long to explore by car hire liverpool, but it is well worth a day trip if you are already in the Ariege area of the south of France.
This post was written by Helen Ling, a freelance travel writer with experience of writing about anything travel related. This ranges from finding the right clip on sunglasses for your kids during their holiday to where to find the coolest cocktail bars in New York.