Situated in the heart of Southern France’s Cathar Country in the Ariege region, Mirepoix is a late 13th century
Bastide, or fortress town, stunningly preserved. In the center, half timbered houses painted in pastels surround the central square, with their upper stories forming an arcade (Les Couverts) over the shops and walkway.
Mirepoix and its environs were part of the Cathar movement, and it is believed that the town housed as many as fifty of the Cathar Parfaits, leaders of the religious movement, which was ruthlessly persecuted.
Under the ceiling of the Council House (Maison des Consuls) are a fascinating series of carved heads, both animal and human, which were once painted in vibrant hues.
The town also hosts an open air market on Mondays and Thursdays, where everything from haricots to used clothing can be purchased. Part of the market is housed under a timber and iron canopy.
Mirepoix is also home to Cathedrale Saint-Maurice, which has the widest unsupported nave in France. It also owns a medieval labyrinth, on 
glazed stone tiles, but alas, it it no longer on view. Quel dommage!
You're History! 
The term “Cathars” derives from the Greek word Katheroi and means “Pure Ones”. They were a gnostic Christian sect of tolerant pacifists that arose in the 11th century, an offshoot of a small surviving European gnostic community that emigrated to the Albigensian region in the south of France.The medieval Cathar movement flourished in the 12th century A.D. throughout Europe until its virtual extermination at the hands of the Inquisition in 1245.
There are an ever increasing number of historians and other academics engaged in serious Cathar studies. Interestingly, to date, the deeper they have dug, the more they have vindicated claims that medieval Catharism represented a survival of the earliest Christian practices.
Thank you!
Brad Hoffstetter
Communications Division
Assembly of good Christians
http://www.cathar.net
Some credible sources:
http://www.wmich.edu/medieval/congress/
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/sbook.html
Question: On August 5th you included the image of a lovely piece of art along with your poem. Could you please tell me the artist and title of the work? Thanks much.
Pam, I haven’t been able to locate any info on the artist. If I do, I’ll let you know.
nice!