Eleri & Rodney Munday
Miramont
09140 Oust
Ariège-Pyrénées, France
Tél : +44 (0)1279-843652 or
+33 (0)561 96 46 72
rodneymunday@yahoo.co.uk
English spoken

Sleeps 2 to 4

Situated at an altitude of 700m in the beautiful and tranquil hamlet of Miramont, “Le Pichet” (named after the traditional French wine jug) comfortably accommodates 2-4. Offering stunning views towards the Col de la Core and the slopes of the Mont Valier range, with the pretty hamlet of Arrous in the foreground, this traditional mountain house has been lovingly renovated over a twelve year period to retain as much of the original stonework as possible.

Local services: The villages of Oust and Seix are respectively 4 and 6k away supplying all needs. There is a doctor in Oust and pharmacy in Seix. For provisions, we particularly recommend the butchers in Oust, and the family bakers in both places. Seix has a small but very well stocked supermarket. For those wishing to eat out, the Café/bar du Garbet in Oust is outstanding, also excellent is the Auberge du Haut Salat in Seix. The town of St. Girons, with a wide variety of shops, supermarkets and restaurants, not to mention a wonderful Saturday market, is about 20k away. For gourmet bargain–hunters, Andorra is within 3h reach by car.

The actual living space covers 80-90m2 and comprises:

Ground floor: kitchen, equipped with oven, microwave, fridge freezer and clothes washer.
Bathroom with w.c, basin and bath (with shower attachment)
Dining-room/living area with woodburning stove and bookcase.

From here, a beautiful oak staircase leads you up to the first floor, comprising:
Spacious, airy, high ceilinged lounge/extra bedroom (particularly superb in summer) containing sofa, armchair, canapé cigogne (which converts to sleep 2) televison and a well-stocked bookcase (both English and French). A large number of walking guides, maps and tourist information will also be at your disposal.

A charming, light, chalet style bedroom containing a double bed and cupboards.

Outside, le Pichet as such has no garden; but there is a small seating area and you are offered the use of the lovely garden attached to the adjoining former farmhouse next door (same owners.) Garden furniture and barbeque are at your disposal. There is communal parking.

How to get there: Airports – Pau 2 1/2 hrs; Carcassonne 2hrs (both Ryanair from Stansted); Toulouse Blagnac 1 hrs (Easyjet and BA from Gatwick)

PRICES per week

July and August
Other times

450 €
350 €

- Optional: bedlinen/towels (10 €/person/week)
- Taxe de séjour included in the price

Activities: Walking in the area is superb, whether you choose to go directly from Miramont, locally in the stunning Vallee du Garbet, or to the more challenging heights reachable from within an hours drive away. A number of routes lead directly to the Spanish border.
Kayaking/ canoeing: in the river Salat above Seix .
Horseriding available from Oust; Donkey hire above Seix. Fishing is excellent.
Painting and sculpture. The area is of outstanding beauty for artists. We can also offer painting and sculpture tuition tailored to your requirements by Rodney, who is an internationally recognised sculptor . Details on request. Examples of his work can be seen on our website www.rodneymunday-sculptor.co.uk.
Swimming – outdoor pools in St. Lizier d’Ustou and St Girons; although many people bathe in the Salat.
In winter, the family-orientated ski resort of Guzet-Neige is 30 minutes away.

Culture & History: The region is rich in historical associations. The beautiful Gallo-Roman town of St. Lizier adjoins St. Giron; the mediaeval chateau of Foix (the departmental capital) is less than one hour’s drive away, and the numerous castles associated with the brutal 13th century period of the Cathar heresy are within 2 hours drive, as is Europe’s largest area of prehistoric caves and paintings near Tarascon.