Mirepoix is located in Midi-Pyrénées (see: Map of the Regions of France), a region in southern France between Carcassonne and Pamiers. Approximately 3,100 people live permanently in Mirepoix. Despite its small size, Mirepoix is one of the best examples of a medieval city in the region, and there are many good ones!
Get to Mirepoix
The closest train station to Mirepoix is in Palmiers. The closest international airport is Carcassonne-Salvaza Airport. Better to have a car to visit Mirepoix.
Mirepoix is about 8 hours of driving time or 8.5 hours by train from Paris. There is a SNCF bus from the train station in Palmiers that takes you to Mirepoix four times a day.
Where to stay
To stay in the center of the most suggestive medieval square we have seen in Europe, Place du Maréchal-Leclerc, we recommend the Hotel La Maison des Consuls – Mirepoix.
For those who wish to use the fabulous Mirepoix market on Monday morning, mentioned below, we suggest renting a small villa or house. You can check Airbnb or HomeAway for the best options.
What to see in Mirepoix
Mirepoix was disastrously flooded in 1279. In 1289, Guy de Lévis rebuilt the city on the left bank of the river, with a large central square, the Place du Maréchal-Leclerc, and grid-shaped streets.
The Place du Maréchal-Leclerc is one of the best and most suggestive medieval squares in Europe to see, and a perfect example of people-friendly architecture. The medieval buildings that line the square offer the shade of the arcades of the ground floor supported by absolutely massive beams: those of the Maison des Consuls are carved with representations of people and animals at the ends of the beams. The Mirepoix tourist office is located in this square.
Monday is the weekly outdoor market on the Place du Maréchal-Leclerc, and it is not to be missed. Mirepoix will always be associated with fine French cuisine, having given its name to the basic starting point of chopped aromatic vegetables consisting of carrots, onions, and celery. (Actually, a chef named them after their patron, a military man from Mirepoix with the rather long name of Charles-Pierre-Gaston-François de Lévis du Mirepoix.)
The Church of Saint Maurice, built in 1298 by Jean de Lévis, was eventually transformed into the Mirepoix Cathedral, Cathédrale Saint-Maurice de Mirepoix. It is Gothic and known for its wide nave, the second widest in Europe.
The Mirepoix market is held on Monday mornings. It is the favorite market of many people in France. You will not only find antiques, clothing, wine and trinkets to spend your money, you will also see local food specialties. Local musicians perform in the surrounding cafes and restaurants.