Mercus-Garrabet is a town in the Ariège department, in the Occitanie region, 12 km south of Foix.
Its territory of nearly 15 km² is located in the upper valley of the Ariège, in the country known as Sabarthès, the stream crossing the locality whose altitude ranges from 432 to 1603 m.
Forest areas cover 50% of the land, and 36% are occupied by other preserved natural environments (various vegetation).
The town also has the particularity of being made up of three villages (two on the right bank of the Ariège, Mercus and Garrabet, and one on the left bank: Amplaing) and two hamlets, Jarnat and Croquié, accessible from Mercus and "perched" respectively at an altitude of 650 and 1000 m.
A bridge connects these different entities.
Industrialized from the 19th century (the woods supplying the energy for the forges), the town which was a haunt of the Counts of Foix in the Middle Ages has also developed a tourist leisure offer based on its heritage, a plan of water on the river and its mountain environment. With nearly 1,200 inhabitants, Mercus-Garrabet is a stopover of choice near other famous sites...
Occupied since prehistoric times, the town has several buildings and sites protected as historical monuments.
On Mercus, the Saint-Louis church was built in the 12th century on a granite rocky outcrop, where a temple dedicated to Mercus, god of commerce and travelers, would have previously been built. The sculpted portal of the Romanesque-style church earned it a classification in 1910. We also note the capitals, also sculpted, and the finesse of the arcades of the apse. The bell tower and the roof were redesigned in the 19th and 20th centuries. However, only one tower remains of the medieval castle that Richelieu had razed to the ground in 1638.
In Garrabet, in addition to the Devil's Bridge which has given rise to many legends (13th century), stood the castle of the Counts of Foix which was razed in 1622 by order of the Parliament of Toulouse as to settle the heavy antagonisms which marked the wars of Religion.
In Amplaing, the castle of Castelpenent, destroyed by Simon de Montfort in 1211, had succeeded the first fortifications built on the Roc de Barry. Another ancient testimony, a dolmen (said of Peyrogall) which was at the foot of this same rock was transferred and reconstituted in the village in 1992 during the development of the four-lane road following the valley. On the other side, the Garrabet dolmen had disappeared in 1912. In addition, a stone with cupules (with small cavities dug by man for religious purposes) has long been associated with Mount Fourcat. So many elements confirming that men have occupied this part of the valley and the mountains which have marked it out for millennia.
Finally, the heritage of the hamlets of Jarnat and Croquié is characteristic of small mountain villages with agricultural and pastoral activity. One notices in particular the shelters of shepherd in dry stone.
In terms of "nature" sports and recreation, note that a futsal club is located in the town (contact +33 6 22 87 95 15) and that tennis courts can be reserved at the 'local association by contacting +33 6 87 31 28 77.
For thrill seekers, the Kymaya association is labeled to initiate the practice of paragliding: inquire at 06 25 79 1651.
We gladly take advantage also from the nautical base bordering the Ariège in Mercus. A beach, a picnic area and a volleyball court are available. On the water, the practice of water-skiing or ski-lift (on a 750 m loop!) Is possible and a rental point allows you to navigate by pedal boat or paddle. Open from the end of June to the end of August. Information on +33 5 61 05 80 50.
The banks of the Ariège, the villages and hamlets and of course the wooded areas of the valley and the peaks which dominate it are synonymous with many hiking routes in the town, in an exceptional environment. Larger loops heading upstream towards Tarascon and downstream towards Foix are obviously accessible. Maps and information on +33 5 61 64 60 60.
Around August 15, over three days, a municipal feast with gourmet meals, balls, fun and friendly activities (pétanque, games for children, torchlight retreat, fireworks, etc.).
