Amenities

Tourist Information Offices

Tourisme Midi-Pyrénées

Montferrier
tel: 05 61 01 14 14

Mirepoix
tel 05.61.68.83.76

Lavalanet
tel 05.61.01.22.20

Montségur
tel 05.61.03.03.03

Supermarkets

Lavelanet 4 km

Nearest Town

Montferrier 1 km

Train Stations

Foix - 15km

Quillan - 35km

Petrol Station

Lavelanet 2 km

Chemists

Villeneuve d'Olmes 3 km

Markets

Lavelanet (Wed am + Fri am) 4 km

Mirepoix (Mon am + Thurs am) 20 km

Full List of local markets

Airports

Carcassonne 65 km

Perpignan 110 km

Toulouse 100 km (mostly motorway)

Booking Information

Bookings are normally made from Saturday to Saturday.
 

Autumn availability - enjoy the sun well into November, pick walnuts, search for ceps, experience the autumn crocuses, and swim until late September.

High Season 2005

15 July - 10 September

Mid Season

28 May - 14 July
10 September - 1 October

Low Season

By negotiation

To check availability and to make a booking please send an email.

Website design by:
Beyond the North Wind

Attractions

Recreational Lake

Swimming, canoeing, sailing and windsurfing
Lac de Montbel 10 km

Canoeing

La Belle Verte
Le Vernet d'Ariège
Canoeing and rafting for adults and children.
tel: 05 61 67 35 94

Ski Resort

Les Monts d'Olme is 16km away - the resort has 23 pistes and 14 lifts.

(Click here for a Plan of the pistes at Monts d'Olme)

Restaurants

Two excellent organic restaurants at Montségur and our favourite;

Les Sapins
Nalzen
tel: 05 61 03 03 85

Walking

The area is a haven for walkers, both fit and energetic and those who just want a gentle amble. There are many walks starting directly from the house including an hour-long circular walk down to the village through beautiful beech woods. A more energetic hike to one of the local peaks and back will take most of the day. From these one can see hundreds of miles on a clear day and a wonderful view of the Hautes Pyrenees. A few minutes walk away from the house is a breathtaking glimpse of Montségur.

Linen

Bed linen and towels are provided.

Caves

Prehistoric Cave Drawings
The caves at Niaux are to the south-east near Ussat-Les-Bains. It's necessary to book in advance - there is one English-language tour of the caves each day from July-September.
tel: 05 61 05 88 37

 
Underground River
Take a boat ride along the incredible "Rivière Souterraine de Labouiche" near Foix, open from April to November.
tel: 05 61 65 04 11

The Largest Cave in Europe
Lombrives
tel: 05 61 05 98 40

Especially for Children

Within one hour's drive:

Reptile Farm
Open from April to November and school holidays
www.lafermedesreptiles.com
tel: 05 61 65 82 13

Butterfly Museum
Les Papillons d'Amarante
Open from June to the end of September
tel: 05 61 01 98 80

Model Railway
Built within a train carriage - see a magical twenty-four hours in the life of the railway in the Ariège valley.
Open from June to September and school holidays
tel: 05 61 05 94 44

Eagles at the Chateau of Lordat
An amazing up-close experience of raptors.
Open from Easter to Halloween
tel: 05 61 01 34 22

Bird Watching

The Ariège region is home to a wealth of birdlife including large raptors such as buzzards, kites and eagles.

Mountain biking

The region is an ideal area for mountain biking enthusiasts. If you prefer to watch others doing the hard work, the Tour de France passes through the region for a few days in July.

Riding

A number of stables offer trekking for all levels of riders. The beautiful black Merens horses are native to the Ariege.

Les Crins de Montségur
tel: 06 77 70 32 29

Paragliding

Gypaètes School of Paragliding Foix
tel: 05 34 09 86 08

Volem Paragliding School

History

The whole region is steeped in the history of the Cathars. The nearby chateau of Montsegur is famous as the place where the Cathars made their last stand. The chateaux of Puivert and Quillan are within one hours drive, as is the Chateau of Chalabre, which hosts many holiday activities.

Festivals

Many of the towns and villages of the Ariège have their own music and dance festivals during the summer months.

List of Festivals

La Couche appears on the Holiday Rentals website.

Click here for a
map of the area