What to do in Pamiers? The essentials and the unusual!

Strange territory that Ariège! Rich in unique destinations, its small towns scattered here and there reveal its many facets. In the shadow of the most popular Ariège towns to visit such as Foix, Mirepoix, Saint-Girons or Saint-Lizier, the town of Pamiers has a lot to offer without always getting the favor it deserves. Indeed, at the foot of the first foothills of the Pyrenean chain, this ancient episcopal city nicknamed "the city of three bell towers" has vertiginous monuments, pleasant streets, fashionable shops... and a museum of magic! So, ready to set off for a little discovery? Here is a jumble of the 10 must sees of Pamiers to see alone, as a couple, with family or friends.

Stroll along the canals of Pamiers

Derived from the Ariège River, the canals of Pamiers have surrounded the town since medieval times. Formerly used to defend the city, then to supply the many mills, tanneries and dyeworks installed on the banks, the canals are now conducive to relaxation and walking. Information panels provide a better understanding of the city's history along the way.

Admire the built heritage

Steeped in history and a rich cultural heritage, Pamiers will charm you with its monuments from your first visit. A walk in the city center allows you to discover the Saint-Antonin cathedral, the town hall housed in a former 17th century bishopric, the Porte de Nerviau, witness to the fortifications of the city in the 14th century, the he old courthouse, the old bishopric, the Cordeliers bell tower, the Augustins tower, the Notre-Dame du Camp church, etc. An illustrated map is available at the Tourist Office so you don't miss any of these vestiges of passed during your walk in town!

Stroll to the magnificent Cailloup Abbey

A stone's throw from the town centre, the astonishing Cailloup site reveals 72 hectares of verdant nature around a magnificent little Romanesque church. On the site are also a small medieval garden, a conservatory orchard, a hiking trail and orienteering courses.

Discover the Chapellerie Sire, a house founded in 1870

At the bend of rue des Carmes, a discreet shop at 14 rue Gabriel Péri is full of unsuspected treasures! This is the Sire hat shop, a real institution founded in 1870 during the golden age of the hat, when men and women never went out without this essential accessory! Enter this temple of hats, a true emblem of French elegance and discover a superb selection of headgear for all occasions: Panama hats, straw hats, bridal hats, capelines, fascinators, Stetson and Borsalino hats… as well as the unique creations of ceremonial hats. The charming lady who will help you find THE unique hat that will enhance you so much, highlighting your personality, is none other than Jacqueline Balanca, the owner and happy heiress of this family know-how that has been perpetuated for 5 generations!

Discover three local artists

What if your visit to Pamiers was an opportunity to discover the artistic richness of Ariège and the work of local talent? Push the door of the workshops of the painters Manuel Martinez and Daniel Despothuis as well as the sculptor Michèle Duchêne during a visit organized by the Tourist Office which immerses you in their creative universe. Whether you are simply curious, amateur or knowledgeable, these visits are moments of exchange on their inspiration, and on the way in which a painting or a sculpture is born from an idea, a personal reflection or an event. of life.

Reveal your magical skills at the Museum of Magic

At the turn of the rue de la République in Pamiers, the world of magic opens the doors to the kingdom of illusion to whoever dares to venture there! The Pamiers Magic Museum is a real cultural nugget that plunges young and old into the fascinating world of dreams, illusions and the art of prestidigitation. This remarkable museum organizes the famous festival "Les Stars de la Magie" every year, recognized as the most beautiful in France thanks to its exceptional artistic program!

Follow in the footsteps of Gabriel Fauré, famous composer and Appamean musician

There are cities that we immediately associate with music! This is the case of Pamiers, birthplace of Gabriel Fauré, one of the greatest French composers of the 19th and 20th centuries. His most famous works will not escape you: Pavane or Pelléas et Mélisande, After a dream or his Élégie for cello and piano. The child of the country, with international influence, continues to transmit his heritage and his exceptional music through the festival Musiques au Pays de Gabriel Fauré organized in his memory each year. As you walk around town, you will find discreet tributes to his memory: a stelle by the artist at the foot of the climb that leads to the Castella plateau or a plaque on the facade of his birthplace at 17, rue Gabriel Péri.

Stroll through the narrow streets with typical architecture

As you walk through the city, you will be seduced by its tranquility and the energy it transmits to you. Inside the different districts of Pamiers, the architecture is marked by the different periods and atmospheres of its history, between a stronghold of the wine and cloth trade and a metallurgical industrial centre. Observe the continuous linear facades that give the city its charm and the games of housing templates. Note the elements of the building, the shutters, the entrance doors, the ironwork, the Genoese and other cornices that decorate the facades… Here again, Pamiers has an astonishing diversity of remarkable elements!

Visit the Carmel of Pamiers

Nestled in the heart of Pamiers, the Carmel is an architectural gem from the ^17th century. In this secluded mystical place of the world, the Sisters of the Carmelite Order have lived for more than four centuries, dedicating their lives to prayer and the love of God. The Tourist Office organizes fascinating guided tours of the Carmel of Pamiers and opens the doors of this emblematic place to you.

Discover the local products of Ariège at the Pamiers market

There's nothing like the market to soak up the regional culinary culture! In Pamiers, the traditional market takes place every Tuesday and Thursday from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. Place de la République and Place de la Poste. The large Saturday morning market remains the unmissable event of local life. On its stalls, typical Ariège products are available according to the seasons. Let yourself be tempted by the local flavors and the cordiality of the producers!

Article and photos prepared by Lesley Williamson for the Guide Toulouse Pyrénées

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