Claudine et Gérard Monnier
Bonascre
09110 Ax les Thermes
mail: 22 chemin de Ventenac
31320 Vieille-Toulouse
Ariège-Pyrénées, France
gîte Ax Ariège Pyrénées
Tel : (33)
05 61 75 02 60 &
06 67 79 46 44
gmonnier@yahoo.fr,
gmonnier@tele2.fr
Speak English 08 72 76 24 27 (evening)

Sleeps 10 + baby

Our chalet is situated in the Ariège Pyrenees in the commune of Ax-les-Thermes, an old thermal spa town that is the last one before Andorra and the high mountain passes leading to Spain. It was built on the plateau of Bonascre, at 1400m elevation in the heart of a forest of pine and beech. In this ski resort village it enjoys a superb panoramic view from its two balconies. The chalet is in a tranquil environment with a southern exposure. The windows look out onto high peaks and forests.

The chalet is built entire from Finnish pine and can accommodate 10 people and a baby in four bedrooms, with a salon and dining room. It's log walls confer a pleasant and comfortable sylvan ambience.

On the first level :
- A salon with sofa and armchairs, a coffee table, a TV cabinet and a stone fireplace for private use.
- A dining room with pine buffet, table and chairs for 10 people.
- A small equipped kitchen with refridgerator, vitroceramic hob, electric oven, microwave oven, dishwasher and clothes washer.
- A bedroom with a double bed.
- A bathroom with two sinks, bidet and bathtub
- Separate WC
- Sheltered entrance from the outside with a space for storing skis and boots.
On the first floor:
- Two bedrooms each with two single beds
- A bedroom with 4 single beds
- A bathroom with WC
The garden
The garden is shielded by natural hedges that enclose a free space equipped with garden furniture and chaises longues, a barbeque and and swings. You can relax in the peace and quiet and admire the panoramic view.
For children (200 m away)
- A park with playground
- Heated pool and paddling pool
- Descending go-cart track (for children 3 years and older)
For older children
- Mountain bike descent starting at 2000 m elevation.
- Descending go-cart track for children 10 years and older)
- Horseriding, pony rides
- roller blading, all terrain scooters
Shops
- 200 m away: bakery, grocery store, café, restaurant
- All shops and services in Ax-les-Thermes 10 minutes by car

For more information visit our site : http://bonascre.free.fr/

PRICES PER WEEK
Summer  650 - 830 €
Winter  700 - 1700 €

- price does not include electricity charges
- security deposit of 500 €
- pets not accepted
Owners' address (for mail) :

Claudine & Gérard Monnier
22 chemin de Ventenac
31320 Vieille-Toulouse

To contact by phone in English :
08 72 76 24 27 (evenings)

SUMMER WALKS
The chalet is in the middle of a remarkably unspoilt environment. Walkers can read the high mountain trails on foot or by cable car, at 2000 m elevation from where they can discover the Andorran and Spanish peaks. The forest walks are easy and accessible to both active walkers and small children.
For longer hikes, possibly with a guide, you can stay in staffed refuges and walking hostels (gîtes d'étapes).
The region of Ax features more than 50 mountain lakes and rushing rivers such as the Oriège, which descends in magnifcent waterfalls at Orlu, near the wolf park. At the bottom of thise valley the national reserve of Orlue, with a surface area of 7000 hectars, shelters mountain wildlife: marmots, griffon vultures, raptors, and numerous isards (chamois). Bears roam free in Ariège but are fearful of humans and rarely seen.
CULTURE
Prehistoric humans have left remarkable traces, like the Niaux cave with its famous drawings from the Magdalenian era (12,000 BC). There are also beautiful historic places such as the Cathar chateaux at Montségur and Montaillou. The more peaceable circuit of romanesque churches marks out the rustic character of the mountain population.

SKIING IN WINTER!
The village of Bonascre, also called the station of Ax-3-Domaines, is equipped with:
- 127 snow canons
- 75 km of pistes with 16 lifts
All levels of skiing can be enjoyed, some in clear runs and others in the heart of the forest. The lifts take you up 2400 metres. The ski station offers a creche, a snow garden and sledging run. The chalet is located 200 metres from the pistes -- close enough for easy acces and far enough away to guarantee quiet.