The Relais de Mirepoix is set in the middle of the stunning bastide town of Mirepoix in the Ariège, southern France. As well as being a destination in itself, Mirepoix is only a forty-five minute  drive to the Pyrenees, half an hour to the historic cité of Carcassonne and just over an hour's drive to the cosmopolitan city of Toulouse. 

Situated in the heart of Cathare country, Mirepoix was rebuilt along the lines of a bastide town following the catastrophic flood of 1289 which destroyed the original settlement on the other side of the river Hers. The square has preserved it's original medieval structure, with half timbered houses built over wooden arcades. The town is famous for the Maison des Consuls, the beams of which are carved with dozens of images of animals, monsters and caricatures of mediaeval professions and social groups. The cathedral St-Maurice has the widest Gothic arch in France with a span of 22 metres.

There is a great deal going on throughout the year including a medieval festival, an international puppet festival and an apple festival. The weekly Monday market should not be missed and you can find all kinds of stalls, from fruit, vegetables, spices and meat to clothes, jewelry and antiques.

Just a few kilometres away is the church in Vals, dating from the Carolingian period and carved, cave-like, out of the rocks. It is made up of three levels and its apse and chancel are decorated with remarkable Romanesque frescoes dating from the 11th century.

Heading towards the Pays d'Olmes, you will find Roquefort-les-Cascades. Falling from a height of thirty metres the water has, over time, produced tuffaceous formations which are well worth seeing.

Camon, officially listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France, is a fortified settlement with a Benedictine priory. In the summer guided tours offer you the opportunity to visit the drystone huts in the hills above the village. 


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And of course do not forget Lac Montbel... With an area of 570 hectares, Lac Montbel,  which is fed by the clear waters of the Hers, is a popular destination for migratory birds. In addition to wildlife observation, this vast reservoir of water surrounded by forests invites you to relax, enjoying its beaches, and to practice leisure activities such as fishing, canoeing, kayaking, pedal boating... or simply swimming. 

The château de Montségur, close to Montferrier, is major Cathar site symbolising the resistance of the Cathars during the Albigensian crusade. A steep path leads you up to the ruins of the the fortress where your efforts are rewarded with stunning views of the Pyrenees and the surrounding countryside.