Mirepoix

Suffering both a flood and fire by bandits, the town of Mirepoix was rebuilt in the 13th century as a bastide - a fortified town built with wooden arcades around a central square.   The half timbered houses are supported on huge wooded beams and the joists of some of the richest homes are sculpted with faces- some human, some animal.   The cathedral of Saint Maurice in this small town has the second largest nave in Europe.   Gargoyles menacingly adorn the parapets.   As the sun began to set, only the birds found refuge amongst them.