Mireval-Lauragais
Mireval -Lauragais is a southern French village with 160 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) in the Aude department in the Languedoc- Roussillon region.
Location
Mireval -Lauragais is located in the heart of the ancient cultural landscape of Lauragais at an altitude of about 170 meters above sea level. inst and about 44 km ( driving distance ) west of Carcassonne and about 8.5 kilometers south of Castelnaudary.
Demographics
In the 19th century it was always between 400 and 600 inhabitants. The mechanization of agriculture and the associated loss of jobs since then led to a significant decline in population.
Economy
The surroundings of the town is still dominated by agriculture, which in the late Middle Ages and early modern times mainly on the cultivation of woad ( pastel) concentrated. The import of indigo led from the 18th century to a gradual economic decline and the farmers turned back to the 'normal' agriculture. In the late 20th century, tourism has been added in the form of apartment rentals ( gîtes ) as an economic factor.
History
The origins of the - how many places in the Lauragais - hilltop village rich probably far back. In the Middle Ages Mireval was surrounded by a city wall, from which two goals have received. About destructions during the Albigensian Crusades (1209-1229), the Hundred Years War (1337-1453) and the Wars of Religion (1562-1598) is not known.
Attractions
- The site of Mireval among the most beautiful in the Lauragais.
- The with her four-piece bell gable Gothic nave parish church dominating the place ( Église Saint -Jean -Baptiste ) dates from the 13th century, but was modernized in the 19th century. Noteworthy are the - because of the steep terrain - extremely high apse, with its high-lying windows and the Archivolts portal. The church was recognized in 1994 as a monument historique.
- From the former city wall from the 15th century are still preserved two unadorned doors.
- A wash house ( lavoir ) from the 19th century, which was used as a cattle trough ( abreuvoir ) is also seen.
- A restored windmill ( moulin- à -vent ) and a constructed half-timbered dovecote ( pigeon ) enrich the townscape.
- An even got covered fitting block ( travail) is a rarely preserved evidence of peasant life. He served for fixing the animals during the shoeing or hoof care.