MASSAT VALLEYS
A long, lovely valley that wends its way along the length of the Arac river to Massat, which sits at the foot of the Col de Port. Another road from the village leads to the Etang de Lers, a mountain lake beloved of fishermen and, in winter, cross-country skiers.
|
Name |
Rms |
Table d'hôte |
Commune |
Description |
 |
Maison Esmeralda
05 61 66 70 57
English spoken
|
4 |
yes |
Biert |
The Dixon family exchanged their dairy farm in the centre of France for this large house on a verdant property on the banks of the Arac. |
 |
Las Paouses
05 61 04 94 45
|
2 |
July & Aug. by reservation |
Massat |
Very peaceful situation in the mountains overlooking the Massat valley. Denis Leblon is a nurseryman and it shows in the beautiful garden. |
|
GARBET RIVER VALLEY
A beautiful mountain valley following the Garbet river, whose source is the Etang Bleu (Blue Lake) and ends at the Salat in Oust. The valley is closely associated with the bear tamers of the 19th century, "les montreurs d'ours." At the foot of the high mountains is the thermal spa village of Aulus-les-Bains.
|
 |
La Ferme du
Mont Béas
05 61 66 80 92 or 06 82 23 17 75 (mob.)
English spoken |
3 |
yes |
Ercé |
Gisèle and Jean-Pierre live with their sheep and horses on a tiny, isolated farm at the foot of the Mont Béas in an exceptionally enchanting setting. Gisèle is an equestrian guide who can lead horseriding outings in the mountains. |
|
HIGH SALAT VALLEY
Actually several valleys, a number of which are fairly wild with rushing streams and rivers as in the valley of Estours or of Esbintz. The principal village is Seix (pronounced as if there were no i ).
|
 |
Les Couleurs d'Autan
05 61 66 91 93
|
2 |
no |
Oust |
Elizabeth is a painter and Jean Lyess a carpenter and cabinet maker – the guest rooms are of course beautiful. They live at the edge of the village with a nice view of the mountains. |
 |
Les Glycines
05 34 14 02 43 or
06 78 66 39 78 (mobile)
|
4 |
yes |
Soueix-Rogalle |
Hélène and Jacques live in a house dating from the 18th century located on the high part of a village with the pyreneen chain and the Mont Valier as a backdrop. |
|
CASTILLON REGION
Comprises 4 mountain valleys: the Biros, the Bethmale, the Balaguères and the Bellongue. Its principal town is Castillon-en-Couserans. A variant of the Way of Saint James passes by Castillon to pass over the Col de Portet d'Aspet.
|
 |
Le clos enchanté
05 61 04 64 47 and
06 73 70 78 04 (mob.)
English & Greek spoken |
5 |
no |
Castillon |
Myriam and Jonathan and their children lived for 15 years on the Greek island of Crete before falling in love with a grand house in Castillon, which they have lovingly restored. They grow the vegetables in their large garden, and Jonathan organises walks in the mountains surrounding them. |
 |
La Maison de la Grande Ourse
05 61 96 06 25
|
3 |
yes |
Salsein |
Christine and Michel live in a very old traditional house in a tiny village at 700 m elevation and 4 kms from Castillon. |
 |
La Calabasse
05 61 04 71 75
|
1 |
no |
Saint Lary |
Large, comfortable room with separate entrance in the home of a family of cheesemakers. |
 |
La Maison du Rabada
05 61 96 07 76
|
3 |
yes |
Sentein |
Véronique Estrémé's house is opposite a 12th century church in a picturesque mountain village in the Biros valley. |
 |
Le Relay des 2 Rivières
05 61 04 76 32
ou 06 89 53 01 19
|
3 |
no |
Audressein |
Mr and Mme Barbisan's large house is on the Ariège section of the Way of Saint James and a stone's throw from a church famous for its lovely frescos. |
 |
Les Silènes
05 61 66 09 75
English spoken
|
5 |
yes |
Alas |
Jacqui and Stéphane's large 18th century house is in the heart of a small village near Castillon. A variant of Saint James' Way passes right by their front gate. |
|
ST GIRONS - ST LIZIER
Saint Girons is the principal town of the Couserans and the meeting point of all its valleys. Its neighbor Saint Lizier, 2 km away, has a rich, exceptional patrimony; it is an ancient roman city with a well known romanesque cathedral and is a obligatory stop on the Way of Saint James.
|
 |
La Maison Blanche
05 61 66 48 33
or 06 12 52 36 00
English spoken
|
3 |
yes |
Lorp |
Agnès and Alain Roques and their children live in a large, single-level house surrounded by fields and woods 1.5 kms from St-Lizier. Agnès, an expert rider, owns two horses and can accompany another experienced rider on the nearby trails. Alain is a mountaineer and amateur photographer who is happy to direct you to his favourite trails. Non-smoking house
|
 |
Villa Belisama
05 61 02 83 24
English spoken
|
3 |
yes |
St Lizier |
Marylène and Jean-Michel are passionate about history and travel and this is reflected in their beautiful half-timbered house, dating from the 12th and 17th centuries, situated in the upper part of the historic area of St Lizier (officially designated "one of the most beautiful villages of France.") |
 |
"La Bastide" de la Ferme de Jeanne
05 61 66 45 57
or 06 77 82 46 25 (mob.)
|
4 |
no |
St Girons |
Yannick and Jeannes large, beautifully restored former farm perched on the hills above the town has been magnificently decorated by Jeanne, who headed a decorating firm for many years and is an avid antique collector. Superb view of the Pyrenees. |
 |
L'échappée belle
05 61 66 62 65
English spoken
|
5 |
yes |
Lacourt |
Muriel and François live in a quiet mountain hamlet 15 minutes from St Girons where all the houses belong to her family. All the guest rooms have been decorated on the theme of travel, with each room's décor reflecting a different continent. |
|
THE LOWER SALAT RIVER VALLEY
The Salat River valley north of St Girons is dotted with little villages and quiet roads wind through farmland and rolling hills.
|
 |
L'Esclopier
05 61 96 65 40
|
4 |
yes |
Mercenac |
Claudine and Jean-Marc Feuillerat raise poultry and grow vegetables on the farm they inherited from her grandparents. Claudine is a wonderful cook, serving regional specialities using the farm produce. Jean-Marc offers classes in panning for gold in the nearby Salat river. |
 |
Les Volets Bleus
05 61 96 68 55
ou 06 77 41 15 65
|
2 |
yes |
Mercenac |
Mr and Madame Meunier's garden is quite splendid, and the two bedrooms lovingly (and tastefully) decorated with the treasures she uncovers at flea markets and antique sales. The ground floor rooms is adapted for disabled persons. Not recommended for children: too many fragile knick-knacks. |
|
THE VOLVESTRE
A part of the rolling foothills, the bucolic countryside is known for its gentle pace and its royal forest.
|
 |
Rosina de Pèira "Les Estivades"
05 61 96 40 16
|
5 |
yes |
Fabas |
Rosina is a renowned singer in the Occitan language. Her family home transformed into a bed and breakfast is situated in the rolling hills of the Volvestre area.
|
 |
Haras Picard du Sant
05 61 66 65 34
English spoken
|
2 |
no |
Lasserre |
The Savignol family raise Mérens horses and offer themed weekends on the farm during which you can participate in farm activities. |
