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7 PYRENEES ARIEGE REGION - A COTTAGE TO RENT IN FRANCE
La Maison des Penitents Blancs
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The village of Mirepoix
Scroll down to see more images of this village.
Mirepoix - population around 3500 people - is a wonderfully colourful and vibrant village
The beautiful and historically important 14C Place-des-Grandes-Couverts is where
everything happens - the Apple and Ceramics Festivals - the Jazz Festival - the Mediaeval Pageants
- but especially there is the Mirepoix Market every Monday.
.
People come from all the smaller villages around to brouse amongst the books -
the range of new and pre-loved clothing - baskets and bags - or you-name-it
- or a variety of the local wines and crafts -
- and of course to choose carefully from the marvellous variety of food
- meat - poultry and rabbits - fruit and veggies - olives and cheeses - and all types of fresh fish.
There is usually something happening in the Place - a decorative little merry-go-round lives permanently
in the centre the arcaded square - surrounded on four sides by individually decorated 14C half-timbered houses.
There is often some local music as entertainment.
There are some who enjoy looking out their windows from above the shops to see what is happening
- and others just enjoy taking in a bit of shade under the trees -
- or those who are enjoying a drink or coffee and cake at one of the many cafes and bars.
This cafe is one is located on one of the long sides of the Place -
- and this popular Bar is on one of the shorter ends of the Place.
It is a great place to just relax and watch all the different people go by -
- or take a promenade right around the square enjoying the range of shops.
. As the Place is only a few hundred metres from our front door - it is easy to pop up there for anything
you need - especially fresh bread and croissants in the mornings.
There are many excellent places for an excellent meal out right in the village of Mirepoix
Shown above is Le Comptoir Gourmand. This is run by a very pleasant couple who cook well
and also sell and advise on local wines and products of the region.
And these two photos are of the latest addition to Mirepoix - The Relais Royal Hotel
which has been beautifully renovated and has a most up-market dining room.
It is just around the corner from our cottage.
And this is perhaps the most popular restaurant with our guests so far - Les Remparts
- once again just around the corner from our cottage. It serves a quite excellent meal.
It is worth saying that it is often necessary to book for both lunch and dinner
at most eating places in this village to make sure you have a table.
Running around the Place there are wide outer streets with shops and a smaller Place
- also a cheerful covered market place where a smaller food market is held each Thursday.
Here is the magnificent gothic Cathedral St Maurice - with one of the widest naves in southern France.
Many guests at this cottage have really enjoyed music concerts in the cathedral.
This is Mirepoix in summer - La Maison des Consuls or the old Council house
with beautiful carved beams - set in the Grands Couverts
- and here it is in winter. We are often there ourselves at this time and although there
can be light snow for a day or so - we find the climate here very bright and sunny.
Because this village is what is called 'un village normale' - it means that during winter everything
carries on as normal - the market, shops and restaurants
unlike many tourist villages where many things are closed in the off season
.
Every year Mirepoix hold the famous Mediaeval Festival - see above
- just one of the many fairs, concerts, jazz and special markets which makes
this village such a lively and exciting place.
On fete days all the tables and chairs are set out in rows
so that everyone has a spot to eat and drink during the festival.
Wander out into the wide tree-lined streets surrounding the historic centre
where there are more shops - antiques and old wares - restaurants and cafes.
These are some of the fascinating wooden carvings of La Maison-des-Consuls -
one of the oldest houses in the village - just at then end of street.
Pyrenees region - Pyrenees cottage - Pyrenees village
Pyrenees sight-seeing - Pyrenees house-plans - Pyrenees local region
The village of Mirepoix
The village of Mirepoix has 3400 habitants and is one of the most beautiful villages we have seen -
with an central arcaded mediaeval centre of upmarket shops selling clothes, books
and particularly books on the Cathars, a good Office de Tourisme, a carousel, all food shops
and a large covered market place.
There is a large and colourful market held in the Place every Monday -
and many fairs and festivals take place throughout the year
including a big jazz festival every Easter.
1.Lot - 2.Dordogne - 3 Tarn - 4 Gascony - 5 Provence - 6 Haute Provence - 7 Pyrenees
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