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- The Mont Valier reserve - Walking route to the refuge - La Via Ferrata des Estagnous |
Alt. 2246 - 2 hour walk to the summit of Mont Valier
Capacity : 70 beds - Tel (33) 05 61 96 76 22
refuge-estagnous@club-internet.fr
During June, July, August & Sept. please reserve by phone as there is not internet connection at the refuge - English spoken
 The refuge undergoing renovation in 1976 HISTORY OF THE REFUGE Constructed in 1912 by the Touring Club de France (TCF) on the initiative of a St Girons touring group, this mountain refuge was used in those days by mountaineers making the ascension to the top of the Mont Valier and by isard hunters. During WWII it sheltered refugees, downed allied pilots and Frenchmen fleeing the nazis as they attempted to cross into Spain via the "Chemin de la Liberté". It suffered considerable damage as exhausted climbers pulled up anything wooden to burn for heat. In the years to follow the refuge was abandoned, ransacked and threatened to fall to ruins until the tourist office of St Girons decided to restore it, the TCF ceeding its rights to the shelter in 1976. Thanks to the remarkable volonteer efforts of a team of mountaineers from St Girons the structure was open to the public in 1978 as a guarded refuge. In 1996 the tourist office ceeded the refuge to the Community of Communes of Castillon, which financed its enlargement and renovation, completed in November 1999. The original structure was entirely renovated to house the kitchens and dining room, with a new extension for the dormitory and bathrooms. The refurbished refuge was inaugurated in July 2000.
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If any artists are interested in performing for future Festivaliers, don't hestitate to contact us at the refuge during the season but also at 06 74 28 46 26 from October to May.
See you soon in the mountains,
The wardens Stéphane and Laurent
SARL les Estagnous
Pedescaut
09700 Saverdun
FESTIVALIER
SUMMER 2008
Like you, the performers and chefs climb up to the refuge on foot. You are strongly advised to reserve ahead by phoning 05 61 96 76 22. All inclusive price for these dates only: performance + bed + dinner + breakfast : 36 €
Summer is here and so is Festivalier. For those who haven't yet heard about it, the idea is to combine music, singing, storytelling and even gastronomy with the life of a mountain refuge. Every Friday evening during July and August, the refuge turns into a storytelling stage, a folk dancehall, a mountain literary salon and even a gourmet restaurant.
Friday 27 June : a gastronomic evening with Ariège chefs
The refuge is know for its good fare that emphasises pyreneen dishes. In partnership with the restaurant association the Tables de l'Ariège we host the chefs of several Ariège restaurants -- Le Phoebus in Foix, l'Auberge d'Antan in St Girons, les Remparts in Mirepoix and Les Sapins in Nalzen --for an evening of fine cuisine "toujours plus gastronomique."
Friday 4 July - Performance to be announced
A special event organised by the association of mountain refuge gardians: all the mountain refuges in the Pyrenees present some type of entertainment on the same day.
Friday 18 July - Documentary evening with the Ravier brothers, "L'aventure pyrénéenne"
Screening of a documentary written and produced by Mariese Borgonzat, presented by Pierre Perissé who participated in the filming. The Raviers were the inventors of modern pyreneenism. The are recognized for their spirit and style and a singular sense of engagement.
Friday 25 July : "Nature in the high Couserans"
A slide show and discussion about the wildlife of the Mont Valier reserve by naturalist and mountain guide Julien Vergne.
Friday 1st August :An evening with the winemakers of Ariège
Wine tasting and discussion of the new flavours and pleasures of Ariège wines.
Friday 8 August : musical evening
The refuge welcomes singer-songwriter Dominique Blanc Bec, for a concert of French songs and world music. A colourful and festive ambience is guaranteed.
Friday 15 August : Evening of storytelling and slam poetry with Jean-Marc Biolley and Marie Paule.
Stories and slam from the Pyrénées and elsewhere. Poetry, humanist texts : a high culture evening
Friday 22 August : an evening of folk dance with La Bethmalaise
Oboe and accordeon set the beat for an evening of traditional dances of the Couserans with this local group.
Friday 29 August : evening of storytelling with Olivier De Robert.
He lead us along to meet strange characters and revisit the Pyreneen Pantheon. Go on a search along the twisting paths of popular memory of our valleys to the furthest shores of emotion.