Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Ariège

Mirepoix, part of the independent fiefdom of Foix, was a stronghold of the Cathars, who held a council here in 1206. Only 3 years later (1209) Simon de Montfort´s armee captured the town after a siege. He gave it to one of his lieutenants, Guy de Lévis. Raymond Roger von Foix reconquered Mirepoix in 1223 and re-installed the Cathar Pierre-Roger de Mirepoix. After the Treaty of Paris (1229), that ended the Albigensian Crusade and the political autonomy of Occitan, the town was given back to Guy de Lévis, whose son moved the town after a devasting flood (1289) to higher grounds and had it rebuilt as a "bastide". This layout was never changed, so in the center is a large rectangular place, named today "Place du Maréchal-Leclerc". The erection of the church started in 1298 and the construction continued over centuries. The structure, completed in the typical "gothique méridional" style, was restored in the 19th century by Prosper Mérimée and Eugène Viollet-le-Duc. The parish church was between 1317 and 1801 the seat of the Bishop of Mirepoix. In the early 14th century many small and very small dioceses were founded within the former Cathar area. Mirepoix was one of them. Other dioceses were founded at the same time in Saint Papoul (1317-1801 / 40kms north) and Alet-le-Bains (1318-1801 / 40kms east).

Mirepoix, part of the independent fiefdom of Foix, was a stronghold of the Cathars, who held a council here in 1206. Only 3 years later (1209) Simon de Montfort´s armee captured the town after a siege. He gave it to one of his lieutenants, Guy de Lévis. Raymond Roger von Foix reconquered Mirepoix in 1223 and re-installed the Cathar Pierre-Roger de Mirepoix. After the Treaty of Paris (1229), that ended the Albigensian Crusade and the political autonomy of Occitan, the town was given back to Guy de Lévis, whose son moved the town after a devasting flood (1289) to higher grounds and had it rebuilt as a "bastide". This layout was never changed, so in the center is a large rectangular place, named today "Place du Maréchal-Leclerc". The erection of the church started in 1298 and the construction continued over centuries. The structure, completed in the typical "gothique méridional" style, was restored in the 19th century by Prosper Mérimée and Eugène Viollet-le-Duc. The parish church was between 1317 and 1801 the seat of the Bishop of Mirepoix. In the early 14th century many small and very small dioceses were founded within the former Cathar area. Mirepoix was one of them. Other dioceses were founded at the same time in Saint Papoul (1317-1801 / 40kms north) and Alet-le-Bains (1318-1801 / 40kms east).

Looking south from the church Notre-Dame de Vals that towers over the tiny village of Vals (pop 90). The Pyrénées are seen on the horizon.

The enigmatic church Notre-Dame de Vals towers over the tiny village of Vals (pop 90). The church, that is partly "troglodyte", carved into the giant rock, has three levels. The oldest part, called "the crypt", probably dates to the 9th or 10th century. Most surprising here are frescoes, discovered under several layers of plaster in 1952. They are dated to around 1100/1120 and meanwhile got restaurated. Seen to the very left is the "Annunciation", what adds to the frescoes "Nativity" and "First Bath". Very hard to see is - the "Adoration of the Magi", as this icon is -nearly- lost. There are still some traces. The head of Mary is in the center. To the left is a flower/star - and an inscription STELLA, what can only be the "Star of Bethlehem" Below this is another inscription BALTASAR and a head (with a tonsur?) below, one of Magi. His two collegues - are unfortunately lost.

The enigmatic church Notre-Dame de Vals towers over the tiny village of Vals (pop 90). The church, that is partly "troglodyte", carved into the giant rock, has three levels. The oldest part, called "the crypt", probably dates to the 9th or 10th century. Most surprising here are frescoes, discovered under several layers of plaster in 1952. They are dated to around 1100/1120 and meanwhile got restaurated. A closer look onto the "First Bath". The midwives (nimbus!) flank the vessel, that reminds on a baptismal font. Young Jesus (cross-nimbus, red (?) hair) does not really look like a newborn baby. The scene reminds me on - Byzantine icons from Italy. Ravenna maybe. Peter Hubert´s interesting article on the iconography of the Nativity and the First Bath: www.green-man-of-cercles.org/articles/nativity_of_christ.pdf

The enigmatic church Notre-Dame de Vals towers over the tiny village of Vals (pop 90). The church, that is partly "troglodyte", carved into the giant rock, has three levels. The oldest part, called "the crypt", probably dates to the 9th or 10th century. Most surprising here are frescoes, discovered under several layers of plaster in 1952. They are dated to around 1100/1120 and meanwhile got restaurated. The Virgin reclined on a bed under an ornamented blanket. Below is the "First Bath". The midwives (nimbus) flank the vessel. Young Jesus does not really look like a newborn baby. The scene reminds me on - Byzantine icons from Italy. Ravenna maybe. Peter Hubert´s interesting article on the iconography of the Nativity and the First Bath: www.green-man-of-cercles.org/articles/nativity_of_christ.pdf

The enigmatic church Notre-Dame de Vals towers over the tiny village of Vals (pop 90). The church, that is partly "troglodyte", carved into the giant rock, has three levels. The oldest part, called "the crypt", probably dates to the 9th or 10th century. Most surprising here are frescoes, discovered under several layers of plaster in 1952. They are dated to around 1100/1120 and meanwhile got restaurated. SANCTUS ANDREAS - SANCTUS PETRUS

The enigmatic church Notre-Dame de Vals towers over the tiny village of Vals (pop 90). The church, that is partly "troglodyte", carved into the giant rock, has three levels. The oldest part, called "the crypt", probably dates to the 9th or 10th century. Most surprising here are frescoes, discovered under several layers of plaster in 1952. They are dated to around 1100/1120 and meanwhile got restaurated.

The enigmatic church Notre-Dame de Vals towers over the tiny village of Vals (pop 90). The church, that is partly "troglodyte", carved into the giant rock, has three levels. The oldest part, called "the crypt", probably dates to the 9th or 10th century.

The enigmatic church Notre-Dame de Vals towers over the tiny village of Vals (pop 90). The church, that is partly "troglodyte", carved into the giant rock, has three levels. The oldest part, called "the crypt", probably dates to the 9th or 10th century. Narrow steps lead up to the entrance of the crypt. In 2008 a Neolithic burial ground was found in the cracks of the rock. It was dated to around 2500 BC.

The enigmatic church Notre-Dame de Vals towers over the tiny village of Vals (pop 90). The church, that is partly "troglodyte", carved into the giant rock, has three levels. The oldest part, called "the crypt", probably dates to the 9th or 10th century. The age of the donjon like tower is very disputed. Was it part of a medieval castle?

Mirepoix, part of the independent fiefdom of Foix, was a stronghold of the Cathars, who held a council here in 1206. Only 3 years later (1209) Simon de Montfort´s armee captured the town after a siege. He gave it to one of his lieutenants, Guy de Lévis. Raymond Roger von Foix reconquered Mirepoix in 1223 and re-installed the Cathar Pierre-Roger de Mirepoix. After the Treaty of Paris (1229), that ended the Albigensian Crusade and the political autonomy of Occitan, the town was given back to Guy de Lévis, whose son moved the town after a devasting flood (1289) to higher grounds and had it rebuilt as a "bastide". This layout was never changed, so in the center is a large rectangular place, named today "Place du Maréchal-Leclerc". The erection of the church started in 1298 and the construction continued over centuries. The structure, completed in the typical "gothique méridional" style, was restored in the 19th century by Prosper Mérimée and Eugène Viollet-le-Duc. The parish church was between 1317 and 1801 the seat of the Bishop of Mirepoix. In the early 14th century many small and very small dioceses were founded within the former Cathar area. Mirepoix was one of them. The Cathédrale Saint-Maurice is a single nave church. It is claimed locally that the cathedral has the second widest Gothic arch in Europe (after Girona in Catalonia, Spain).

Mirepoix, part of the independent fiefdom of Foix, was a stronghold of the Cathars, who held a council here in 1206. Only 3 years later (1209) Simon de Montfort´s armee captured the town after a siege. He gave it to one of his lieutenants, Guy de Lévis. Raymond Roger von Foix reconquered Mirepoix in 1223 and re-installed the Cathar Pierre-Roger de Mirepoix. After the Treaty of Paris (1229), that ended the Albigensian Crusade and the political autonomy of Occitan, the town was given back to Guy de Lévis, whose son moved the town after a devasting flood (1289) to higher grounds and had it rebuilt as a "bastide". This layout was never changed, so in the center is a large rectangular place, named today "Place du Maréchal-Leclerc". The erection of the church started in 1298 and the construction continued over centuries. The structure, completed in the typical "gothique méridional" style, was restored in the 19th century by Prosper Mérimée and Eugène Viollet-le-Duc. The parish church was between 1317 and 1801 the seat of the Bishop of Mirepoix. In the early 14th century many small and very small dioceses were founded within the former Cathar area. Mirepoix was one of them. Two mermaids hold this coat of arms near the portal, that got "erased" probably during the Revolution.

Mirepoix, part of the independent fiefdom of Foix, was a stronghold of the Cathars, who held a council here in 1206. Only 3 years later (1209) Simon de Montfort´s armee captured the town after a siege. He gave it to one of his lieutenants, Guy de Lévis. Raymond Roger von Foix reconquered Mirepoix in 1223 and re-installed the Cathar Pierre-Roger de Mirepoix. After the Treaty of Paris (1229), that ended the Albigensian Crusade and the political autonomy of Occitan, the town was given back to Guy de Lévis, whose son moved the town after a devasting flood (1289) to higher grounds and had it rebuilt as a "bastide". This layout was never changed, so in the center is a large rectangular place, named today "Place du Maréchal-Leclerc". The erection of the church started in 1298 and the construction continued over centuries. The structure, completed in the typical "gothique méridional" style, was restored in the 19th century by Prosper Mérimée and Eugène Viollet-le-Duc. The parish church was between 1317 and 1801 the seat of the Bishop of Mirepoix. In the early 14th century many small and very small dioceses were founded within the former Cathar area. Mirepoix was one of them. Other dioceses were founded eg in Saint Papoul (1317-1801 / 40kms north) and Alet-le-Bains (1318-1801 / 40kms east).

Mirepoix, part of the independent fiefdom of Foix, was a stronghold of the Cathars, who held a council here in 1206. Only 3 years later (1209) Simon de Montfort´s armee captured the town after a siege. He gave it to one of his lieutenants, Guy de Lévis. Raymond Roger von Foix reconquered Mirepoix in 1223 and re-installed the Cathar Pierre-Roger de Mirepoix. After the Treaty of Paris (1229), that ended the Albigensian Crusade and the political autonomy of Occitan, the town was given back to Guy de Lévis, whose son moved the town after a devasting flood (1289) to higher grounds and had it rebuilt as a "bastide". This layout was never changed, so in the center is a large rectangular place, named today "Place du Maréchal-Leclerc". The nice 19th century market hall and the Cathédrale Saint-Maurice are in the center of the "bastide". The erection of the Mirepoix Cathedral started in 1298 and the construction continued over centuries. The cathedral completed in the typical "gothique méridional" style was restored in the 19th century by Prosper Mérimée and Eugène Viollet-le-Duc. The parish church was between 1317 and 1801 the seat of the Bishop of Mirepoix.

Mirepoix, part of the independent fiefdom of Foix, was a stronghold of the Cathars, who held a council here in 1206. Only 3 years later (1209) Simon de Montfort´s armee captured the town after a siege. He gave it to one of his lieutenants, Guy de Lévis. Raymond Roger von Foix reconquered Mirepoix in 1223 and re-installed the Cathar Pierre-Roger de Mirepoix. After the Treaty of Paris (1229), that ended the Albigensian Crusade and the political autonomy of Occitan, the town was given back to Guy de Lévis, whose son moved the town after a devasting flood (1289) to higher grounds and had it rebuilt as a "bastide". This layout was never changed, so in the center is a large rectangular, arcaded square, named today "Place du Maréchal-Leclerc". The square is bordered by half timbered houses dating from the 13th to the 15th centuries. One of them is the "Maison Des Consuls". More than 100 sculptures decorate the wooden beams. The little monkey is one of them.

Mirepoix, part of the independent fiefdom of Foix, was a stronghold of the Cathars, who held a council here in 1206. Only 3 years later (1209) Simon de Montfort´s armee captured the town after a siege. He gave it to one of his lieutenants, Guy de Lévis. Raymond Roger von Foix reconquered Mirepoix in 1223 and re-installed the Cathar Pierre-Roger de Mirepoix. After the Treaty of Paris (1229), that ended the Albigensian Crusade and the political autonomy of Occitan, the town was given back to Guy de Lévis, whose son moved the town after a devasting flood (1289) to higher grounds and had it rebuilt as a "bastide". This layout was never changed, so in the center is a large rectangular, arcaded square, named today "Place du Maréchal-Leclerc". The square is bordered by half timbered houses dating from the 13th to the 15th centuries. One of them is the "Maison Des Consuls". More than 100 sculptures decorate the wooden beams. www.maisondesconsuls.com/lhotel

Audressein is a tiny village (pop ~120) in the foothills of the Pyrenees. One of the many old pilgrim routes to Santiago de Compostella once followed the valley. When "Notre-Dame-de-Tramesaygues" was erected within the 14th century, there were still many pilgrims passing through here. As the confluence of two rivers is near the church "Tramesaygues" may mean "between waters". These marks on the pillars of the nave are no mason marks, but probably graffitti. But I cannot read them 1313?