Mirepoix, Ariège

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Mirepoix

Coat of arms
Mirepoix
Coordinates: 43°05′23″N 1°52′28″E / 43.0897°N 1.8744°E / 43.0897; 1.8744Coordinates: 43°05′23″N 1°52′28″E / 43.0897°N 1.8744°E / 43.0897; 1.8744
Country France
Region Midi-Pyrénées
Department Ariège
Arrondissement Pamiers
Canton Mirepoix
Intercommunality Pays de Mirepoix
Government
 • Mayor (2008–2014) Nicole Quillien
Area
 • Land1 47.28 km2 (18.25 sq mi)
Population (2008)
 • Population2 3,123
 • Population2 Density 66/km2 (170/sq mi)
INSEE/Postal code 09194 / 09500
Elevation 276–462 m (906–1,516 ft)
(avg. 308 m or 1,010 ft)

1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

2 Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once.

Mirepoix (Occitan: Mirapeis, supposedly from mire peis, meaning see the fish) is a communes in the Ariège department in southwestern France.

13th Century façades in Mirepoix.

Geography

It lies in the Hers valley between Carcassonne and Pamiers.

History

The original town was virtually destroyed by flooding of the Hers-Vif river on 16 June 1289. It was subsequently rebuilt by Jean de Levis in 1290.

Population

The inhabitants are called Mirapiciens.

Historical population
Year Pop.  ±%  
1962 3,078—    
1968 3,255+5.8%
1975 3,273+0.6%
1982 3,139−4.1%
1990 2,993−4.7%
1999 3,061+2.3%
2008 3,123+2.0%

Sights

Cathédrale Saint-Maurice de Mirepoix

The centre of Mirepoix is built around the place de Couverts which in turn has the 14th century Maison des Consuls as its main attraction. The overhanging arcades have exposed beams and from these there are approximately 150 individually carved wooden heads.

The cathedral of St-Maurice, built in the Gothic style, has a particularly wide nave.

Winter market in the place de Couverts.
The bastide of Mirepoix in summer.

See also

References

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