1

I think you're right in your assessment.
This area of France has been ignored for the most part. It was rural when other parts were becoming more urban and as farming and small scale mining fell out of favor, people gradually left the land and moved to the cities for work.
Stone buildings endure. In many cases the original houses were not modernised so the building construction materials and practices remained behind the times. I've read accounts and heard from friends tales of renovations where a doorway leads to a wall and a wall ends to begin somewhere else.
There is probably a French law where every building (however damaged) still has the potential to become a dwelling again. I remember a lot with three and a half walls, no roof that was advertised for sale with planning permission granted for renovation. I rented a gite that had been made over for a large barn (owner actually created two gites, both modern, comfortable and attractive.
People put up with inconvenience for the sake of owning a home with individuality...and usually much less expenisve. A new house is a package deal. An old house is 'pay as you go'.
Me, I love the old stone buildings and prefer to stay in them.
I've driven through Montreal a number of times ...I remember especially the road that sort of wraps around the hillside (right hand) before plunging back down and then on toward Mirepoix.
For local things which your daughter may not know about, check out http://www.ariege.com they have both English & French versions.

2

The only Montréal that I have visited in France is the one in the Yonne, population 175. (There are actually six Montréals in France.)

3

K2, it's a small town in the Ariege, the usual southwestern history involving the abligensian crusade and the troubadors..south of the Midi canal and north of the Pyrenees. progress never really reached the area in many ways. Very much a PS stronghold. Because of the lower prices for houses, etc., it's shared in the UK expat growth. I don't know that you or French Mystique would find much interesting to document a visit there...although it would be you two, if anyone could.

4

Those expat places are often so clique.

5

its near brezilhac. whole area rather picturesque.

6

took photos of a domin ican brothers monastry close by very large and quite nice to view lovely tree lined front drive views of the pyranes mountains terrific

7

Is it a dominican brothers or sisters? I've been past the one just outside Fanjeaux...Prouille....it's very close to a roundabout...
Since I prefer the Cathars, did not bother to visit the place.
Glad you're enjoying the countryside. Lots of snow in the high mountains, yes? Read that the road into Andorra was blocked for a couple days.