Mirepoix, Ariège
Mirepoix is a southern French village with 3127 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) in the department of Ariège of the Midi -Pyrénées region. It belongs to the district Pamiers. Mirepoix is located on the River Hers - Vif.
Attractions
The picturesque old town is surrounded by a wall with a gate and is situated at the foot of the castle Terride. Narrow streets lead in their center, where mostly two-storey, medieval half-timbered houses on wooden arcades ( = couverts ) around an extensive square, the Place Général Leclerc stand with fountain, on the market is held on Mondays and Thursdays. Most beautiful hotel in town is the home of the consuls. Many of the timber framing of the arcades are rich sculptured with crowned heads, beautiful women, fantastic beasts ...
The former cathedral of Mirepoix, St- Maurice, a former bishop's residence was built from the year 1343 and inaugurated in 1506, but received only 1865 their impressive ribbed vault. With 31.6 m the inserted between the inner buttress the nave is the widest of all ever built in France Gothic naves.
History
In the 13th century lived in Mirepoix many Cathars, as well as the feudal lord Cathars had become. According to the records of the Inquisition to 1206 in Mirepoix a great council of the Cathars took place. Pierre -Roger de Mirepoix the Elder, governor of the neighboring Katharerfestung Montsegur to merits earned in their defense, which was rebuilt in 1204 on the initiative of Raymond de Pereille, a member of Mirepoix family. 1209 took Simon IV de Montfort Mirepoix after a siege. Then he gave the place one of his followers, Guy de Lévis. 1223 besieged Raymond -Roger de Foix successfully Mirepoix and Pierre -Roger de Mirepoix was once lord of Mirepoix. The Cathar faith came back again for a few years. In the Treaty of Meaux Mirepoix is 1229 returned to Guy de Lévis. Guy de Lévis heritage, Jean de Lévis, left the place after a flood disaster in 1289 after breaking the dam of Puivert 1279 at a different location, build the confluence of Hers and Countirou again. He got him to the Bastide.
Mirepoix was the seat of many bishops.
Events
Every year in July celebrates Mirepoix be Medieval Festival Les Médiévales with dance and theater performances in old costumes and in August the puppet festival festival de la marionette. In October, the Apple Festival.
Famous people
- Pierre -Roger de Mirepoix the Elder ( † 1209)
- Pierre -Roger de Mirepoix, the younger, his son
- Guy I de Lévis († 1230)
- Guy III. de Lévis († 1299 )
- Jean de Lévis
- Jacques Fournier (* around 1285, † 1342 ), Bishop of Mirepoix since 1326, when Pope Benedict XII. he resided from 1334 to 1342 in Avignon
- Gaston -Pierre de Lévis, (* 1699, † 1757) Duke of Mirepoix
- Bertrand Clausel, (* 1772, † 1842), Marshal of France
Sister City
Mirepoix has a partnership with the Spanish municipality of Palafrugell.