Le Sorbier is an attractively restored and extended farm building, about 150 years old, standing in its own grounds just outside the village of Biert in the Massat valley of the Couserans. The property stands above the floor of the valley, faces almost due south and gets the sun all day, even on the shortest day of the year. It has open views towards Massat and the mountains beyond. Le Sorbier has two gîtes and the owners live on-site in a separate apartment.

Both house and apartment are double-glazed, centrally-heated, well-insulated properties and offer cool accommodation at the height of summer and snug comfort in the depths of winter. All heating is included in the price. Both are supplied with a good selection of English- and French language books, a wide choice of board-games in English, French and German, and a variety of toys for younger children. A baby cot is available.

Gîte 1 (the house) has 3 bedrooms on the first floor, one with a double bed, one with 2 single beds and one with 2 bunk beds. The large bathroom has a shower, wash-basin, bidet and separate WC.

On the ground floor is a comfortable living room with a double sofabed, armchairs, TV and a large woodburning stove. The eat-in kitchen is equipped with gas-hob, electric oven, dishwasher, electric kettle, coffeemaker, fridge-freezer. Both kitchen and living room have sliding glass doors leading onto the deck and terrace, with a table and chairs and rollout awning for dining outdoors.

Gîte 2 (the apartment) has a cosy sitting-room with double sofa-bed, TV and a woodburning stove. The dining-kitchen has an electric ceramic-hob cooker with double-oven, a fridge-freezer, a dishwasher, electric kettle, and coffee-maker. There is one double- and one twin-bedded bedroom. The bathroom has shower, wash-basin and WC. See photos of Gîte 2 and prices for both gîtes.

Nearby activities
Include horseriding (riding centre 2 minutes away), walking on the extensive network of waymarked paths in the Massat valley or in the high mountains close by; cross-country skiing at the Etang (lake) de Lers or alpine skiing at Guzet (45 mins). The prehistoric caves for which Ariège is famous are a short drive away via the Col de Port. The Tour de France passes through or close to Biert nearly every July. There are many interesting local markets where you can buy delicious local produce.

Guided Walks
If you are interested in guided walks, Chris Pound, a qualified mountain leader with knowledge of local geology, wildlife, trees and flowers, is available to escort day-trips from le Sorbier into the surrounding hills and mountains. If you prefer, we can help you to arrange walking tours with Chris in this part of the Ariège, starting at le Sorbier and following long-distant routes with stopovers at gites d’etape and walking hostels. We can also arrange for your heavy luggage to be transported between your stopovers.

Chris is fully qualified to lead parties on most mountain walks, but does not lead treks where the planned use of ropes or climbing on snow or ice is expected.

Chris speaks English, French and German.

Please get in touch with us for more information about possible itineraries.