Mirepoix France Map and Travel Guide

Mirepoix is located in the Occitanie region of France since 2016 previously a part of Midi-Pyrénées, a region of southern France between Carcassonne and Pamiers. Approximately 3100 people live permanently in Mirepoix.

Getting to Mirepoix

The train station closest to Mirepoix is found at Palmiers. The closest international airport is Carcassone-Salvaza Airport. It is best to have a car to visit Mirepoix.

Mirepoix Street Map

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Where to Stay in Mirepoix

To stay central in the most evocative medieval square I've seen in Europe, Place du Maréchal-Leclerc, we recommend Hotel La Maison des Consuls - Mirepoix.

For those who'd like to make use of Mirepoix's fabulous Monday morning market for gathering good things to turn into meals, I'd suggest renting a small villa or house; VRBO lists 13 vacation rentals.

What to see in Mirepoix:

Mirepoix was disastrously flooded in 1279. In 1289, Guy de Lévis rebuilt the town on the left banks of the river, with a large central square--Place du Maréchal-Leclerc--and streets laid out in a grid pattern.

The Place du Maréchal-Leclerc is one of the best and most evocative 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 ground floor arcades held up 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 tourist office of Mirepoix is in this square.

Monday is the weekly outdoor market in the Place du Maréchal-Leclerc, and it shouldn't be missed. Mirepoix will always be associated with fine French cooking, having given its name to the basic starting point of aromatic chopped vegetables consisting of carrots, onions and celery. (Actually, a chef named them after his patron, a military man from Mirepoix with the rather lengthy name of Charles-Pierre-Gaston-François de Lévis du Mirepoix.)

The church of St Maurice built in 1298 by Jean de Lévis was transformed over time into the Mirepoix cathedral--Cathédrale Saint-Maurice de Mirepoix. It's Gothic and known for its wide nave, the second widest in Europe.

Beyond Mirepoix

Them early medieval history of Mirepoix is wrapped up in the story of its Cathar leanings. Thus Mirepoix makes a fine base for exploring Cathar country, which spreads out into the nearby Aude departement of the Languedoc. If seeing the remote castles of the Cathars, see this Aude Map and guide to Cathar Country.

Rental and Lease Cars: France offers an option to lease a brand new car with great insurance if you are staying three weeks or longer.

Tours

If you'd rather leave the transportation and explanation to the experts, Viator offers a good assortment of tours of the area. See the Tours of the Midi-Pyrénées.