Which part of Ariège should I visit?
The département is made up of many different "pays", each with its distinctive character and traditions. Look at the clickable map to orient yourself. This page gives a general overview of the major regions of Ariège.
PAYS DE LEZE-ARIZE - If you take the scenic route from Toulouse the tranquil Lèze River valley is your first introduction to Ariège. Stop at the medieval hilltop village of Carla-Bayle for a sweeping view of the countryside and the mountains. The birthplace of the protestant philosopher Pierre Bayle, it is also home to many artists and craftspeople. This area is a good base for visitors who want to divide their time between the the charms of Toulouse (30-45 minutes away) and the pleasures of the mountains (45 - 60 minutes). Also good stopping point if you've just arrived by air and don't want to drive too far the first day.
Le Carla-Bayle
05 61 68 53 53
Further south on the Arize River is Le Mas d'Azil, site of one of the most famous prehistoric caves in the world. Discoveries there led to identification of the Azilian era. Interesting Museum of Prehistory. The town also figured prominently in the wars of religion, becoming one of the principal protestant strongholds of the Midi. Calvin himself came to preach and lived there for a period. In 1625 1000 Protestants withstood a siege by a royal army numbering 14 000.
Office de Tourisme du Mas d'Azil
05 61 69 97 22
Accommodations:
Gîte de la ferme des Moulis - Marco and Nicole raise Angora goats for their wool and sell beautiful mohair pullovers, scarves, etc. The gîte an apartment above the mohair exhibit. They welcome visitors to the farm, where your kids can pet their kids.
Hotel-restaurant Gardel
Gîtes
B&Bs
Campgrounds: Les vergers de Sésame | Le Petit Pyrénéen
THE COUSERANS - The 18 valleys that make up the western third of Ariège are historically and culturally part of Gascony, while the rest of the departement is part of the Languedoc region
The Garbet river valley has a unique link to the USA through the bears that used to populate the mountains. Dominated by Mont Valier, exceptionally verdant and slightly less developed touristically than the rest of Ariège, the landscape is extremely varied: from the rolling, agricultural farmland of the Volvestre through the forests and mountain pastures around Castillon, Massat and the upper Salat river to the wild, unspoiled Mont Valier reserve where isards roam. All the mountain sports and outdoor activities mentioned in this site can be done here and all the major tourist attractions in Ariège are less than 2 hours away. The city of St-Lizier is celebrated for its Roman art and architecture, and the departmental museum housed in the Palais des Evêques contains fine examples of the traditional tools, clothing and household implements from the Bethmale valley. Its neighbor, St Girons, is the capital of and gateway to the Couserans.
Ski station Guzet-Neige.
Accommodations in the Couserans:
Holiday rentals | Bed & Breakfasts
Office du Tourisme du Couserans
09200 St. Girons
05 61 96 26 60
Fax 05 61 96 26 69
Office du Tourisme de St-Lizier
05 61 96 77 77
OTLizier@aol.com
The village of Oust in the High Couserans
LE SERONAIS - Lovely area of green, rolling foothills and woodlands midway between St. Girons and Foix. Golf course, Centre National des Chevaux de Merens, Reptile Museum, good fishing and cycling.
Hôtel-restaurant La Tour du Loup
Office du Tourisme du Séronais
09240 La Bastide de Sérou
05 61 64 53 53 / Fax: 05 61 64 50 48
PAYS DE FOIX - The departmental capital is dominated by the Foix Castle, once the home of Count Gaston Phoebus, one of the great barons of 14th century France. It is the one intact castle remaining in Ariège and well worth a visit. Good starting point for visits to other Cathar castles. Also near Foix is the subterranean river of Labouiche, the longest navigable underground river in Europe open to the public.
Accommodations:
Restaurants:
Le Phoebus
Office du Tourisme de Foix
05 61 65 12 12
PAYS D'OLMES-CATHAR PYRENEES-MIREPOIX - This far eastern corner of the département is particularly rich in historically and architechturally important sites, including the cathar castle at Montségur (in photo). There are several interesting museums, including a museum of textiles (an important local industry)and horn combs ("peignes de corne"--horn comb fabrication was established by returning Protestant exiles in the 18th century). Ski station: Les Monts d'Olmes.
Mirepoix is a classic medieval bastide town, its encircling walls pierced by several arched entryways and its streets of half-timbered houses converging on a large central square. The surrounding countryside and that of the Pays d'Olmes is the heart of cathar Ariège: before its conquest by Simon de Montfort in 1209, this land was divided among several lords who embraced catharism. The original settlement of Mirepoix lay next to the Hers River. It was swept away in a great flood in 1279 and the present town rebuilt well away from the river.
At Vals, the Carolingian church is carved out of the rockface.
Accommodations:
Auberge du Balestié
Hôtel Les Remparts
Office de Tourisme
Maison de Lavelanet
05 61 01 22 20
Office du Tourisme de Montségur
05 61 03 03 03
PAYS DE TARASCON-VICDESSOS - This is the favorite destination of those interested in prehistory as most of the important caves of the region are located near Tarascon, including the caves of Niaux, Bédeihlac, Lombrives and La Vache. The Parc de l'Art Préhistorique des Pyrenees features replicas of cave art no longer open to the public.
The thermal spa at Ussat-les-Bains specialises in the treatment of diseases of the nervous system, including Parkinson's Disease.
Accommodations:
Restaurants:
La Petite Auberge de Niaux
| Office du Tourisme de Tarascon 05 61 05 94 94 05 61 05 57 79 fax |
Ussat-les-Bains 05 61 05 55 44 |
LES VALLEES D'AX - Ax-les-Thermes is the largest thermal spa in Ariège with 60 natural springs of temperatures varying between 17 and 77 degrees (C). It specialises in the treatment of rhumatism and problems of the respiratory tract. Visitors to Ax can soak their feet in a hot spring-fed basin in the town centre.
Ax-Bonascre is Ariège's largest downhill ski station. The cross-country ski station at the Plateau de Beille (nearest village: Les Cabannes) is the largest in the Pyrenees.
Accommodations:
Office de Tourisme des vallées d'Ax
05 61 64 60 60
LE DONEZAN - This far southeastern tip of Ariege is heavily forested and surrounded by peaks of 2300 to 2880 m in altitude. Not surprisingly it's an area rich in plant and wildlife, and popular with hikers. In winter head for the ski station at Mijanes.
Office du Tourisme du Donezan
04 68 20 41 37
LA BASSE VALLEE DE L'ARIEGE - The area around the lower Ariege river consists of gentle hills and the plain that extends to Toulouse. It's a nice area to explore by bicycle, with many quiet backroads and small villages. Even with a population of only about 13 000 Pamiers is the largest town in Ariège (which has a population of about 140 000 and a surface area of 490 000 hectares, or nearly a million acres). Other points of interest include the 13th century bastide town of Mazères, the eucaluptus forest of St. Quirc and the museum of the former internment camp at Le Vernet, which held up to 12 000 prisoners of many nationalities during World War II.
Office du Tourisme de Pamiers
05 61 60 20 30
Accommodations :
To visit:
Animal park at St Michel