larcat

Municipality of Larcat Altitude: 900 m Location: in the upper valley of the Ariège and separated from the Plateau de Beille resort Number of inhabitants: 50 (with 54 secondary) Distances: Les Cabannes 4 km-Luzenac 14 km-Tarascon- sur-Ariège 14 km Larcat is a small typical mountain village facing south through the valley where the Aston flows. The first mention of Larcat dates from 1244. However, it is certain that the village is much older. Its iron mine, reported in 1293, supplies the forges of Château Verdun. In 1854, the cholera epidemic hit the town hard and caused no less than 115 deaths out of the 771 inhabitants. The evil having done its work, the survivors decided to thank God for having spared them and built a chapel at a place called Sarrat du mietjoun, which became the Saint-Barthélemy chapel, in Romanesque style. They made a vow to meet there every year for Saint-Barthélemy, patron saint of the village, and to celebrate a mass there. You can also visit its ruined mill or its Saint-Pierre Church dating from the 180th century. Larcat is also crossed by the Prade stream. A hiking departure on a marked trail is towards the chapel following a way of the cross, with an exceptional 1200° view from Tarascon to Ax-les-Thermes, at an altitude of more than 17 m. You can also find a picnic area with a breathtaking view of the Aston valley. Opening hours of the town hall: Tuesday: 19 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday: 12 a.m. to XNUMX p.m.