Mirepoix and Medieval France

Ferne Boix the B & B we are staying in

We are now in Mirepoix, Southern France. The B & B that we are staying in is a fairly new for this area, a converted French farmhouse built in 1790. We are here for the next five nights before we head to Spain, just across the border. 

Inside La Ferne de Boix

The farmhouse has been owned by an English couple for 13 years. They are friends of friends of ours (Charles and Jan), and they bought the derelict farmhouse and restored it in 4 months, to become a very well appointed five roomed B & B. 

Town of Camon

This morning we organised a rental car and, in spite of the not so good weather, headed out to explore the area a little. The first town we visited was called Camon, where we also had some lunch. The tenth century town is often called "little Carcassonne" and is part of a circle of villages known as some of the most beautiful in France.  

Intermittent Waterfall

We then moved on to the town of Belesta where there is an "intermittent waterfall" created by water levels in the surrounding underground lakes that cause a waterfall every 7 - 9 mins. Apparently a geological wonder, to the academics and geologists among us. 

Town Gate at Mirepiox

We ended the day in the Medieval town of Mirepiox, and as you can see is an incredible little town.  

Medieval Town of Mirepiox

The area around Mirepoix is known as the centre of Catharism, click on this link for more details. There was mass murder in the surrounding area during the early 13th century, ordered by the Pope, against the Cathars. These christians, although they had lots of heretical beliefs themselves, strongly opposed the Roman catholic church and the Pope. This resulted in the Pope declaring a crusade against the Cathars that became known as the Albigensian Crusade, as the first slaughter of Cathers was in the town of Albi, where tens of thousands of people were killed.

We will spend the next few days visiting some of the more well knows towns in the area.

Carcassonne Chateau from a distance

Today is Sunday the 25th Aug and we have spent the day in the Medieval town of Carcassonne. The town, it's Chateau and ramparts have a history going back 2,500 years.

Up Close

In that extensive period the town has gone through many stages and has an incredibly diverse history, click on this link for more info the current Chateau was rebuilt in the 19th century by the same person who rebuilt the Notre Dame. He did extensive historical and archaeological work to try and get the place looking like it would have in the Medieval days, quite and amazing place. Here are a few pictures...

The Ramparts

The Ramparts and "new" town behind

Hotel inside the Chateau

Another view inside

Another View of Chateau walls

Old archaeological pieces 1,000's years old 

Market Day - Mirepoix

Went into the markets at Mirepoix this morning. It was great to experience a real market day in a Medieval French village. We purchased some lunch, bread, olives, cheese, tomatoes etc etc, but not the snails, sorry not that adventurous.  Then we headed off in the car to find a nice little "French" place for a picnic in the countryside, we found one.....

Yes those are snails for sale

Went on down the road and found an 12th  century church, built on a pre historic site over a natural fault line, pretty cool.

Olives and other goodies

Bought some bread for Picnic Lunch

We are now back at the B & B, for a relaxing afternoon. Tomorrow, our last day in France, we will go and visit the city of Albi. Then we move onto Spain.

Providing the atmosphere

Lunch among the Sunflowers

Nice spot for a Picnic

12th Century Church on the Rocks

Church built in a fault line 12th C

The Town square at Revel

Final day in Mirepoix today and we headed off to Albi, a 2 hr drive North of Mirepoix. We made our first stop at a small town of Revel which was lovely. Ruth had damaged her glasses a few weeks ago and we found an optician in Revel who could speak English and fixed her glasses for free which was a real bonus.

Cathedral at Albi

Inside Albi Cathedral

Church dominates the Town

Then we drove on to Albi and what a surprise. Wayne Jacobson has talked about Albi in a number of his messages. The cathedral  was built in the 14th century by the Roman Catholic's as a statement to the local people, to the power of the church, so I was really interested to go and have a look. It really does make a statement. We have been in lots of churches on the trip so far, but this one was exceptional. We actually purchased the audio tour to get a better understanding of the story of the building, really enjoyed the time there.

Very old town

Albi is an amazing town. We have seen some fantastic towns and cities so far and this one is up there. They have all been different and unique, and Albi was no exception. Click on this link for a few details. It is a beautiful place pretty much all built in red brick and originally dating back to the bronze age. Again everywhere you look is another incredible view.

Had Lunch in Church Cloisters 

View of Cloisters from other side

We spent about 4hrs there and got back to Mirepoix at about 6pm, just in time to return our rental car. We have had a really relaxing and enjoyable time here. Tomorrow we leave here at 9-00am and catch the train to Barcelona via Andorra, looking forward to the next stage of the journey.