With family or friends, discover medieval towns and fortresses, hiking trails and beautiful waterfalls in Ariège. You can also stroll through the narrow streets to discover local products and crafts. Take the opportunity to sample Ariège and Catalan specialities.
Ariège is the perfect destination for a vacation or a weekend break from everyday life. This French department in the Occitanie region of the Pyrenees is packed with incredible sights and historic monuments. For an optimal stay close to our vacation village in Ariège, we’ve selected some not-to-be-missed activities for you!
Foix Castle
Experience the Middle Ages as if you were there!
Discover a fun, interactive departmental museum that lets you witness the lives of the Counts of Foix and their wives, and relive their conquests, defeats, passions… their daily lives! And as an added bonus, if you’re a gamer and like to investigate, book your Escape game and set off in search of the Cathar Treasure! Then climb up to the castle for a change of atmosphere… time for immersion!
Enter the castle, where each room awaits you with period furniture: guard room, banqueting hall, count’s bedroom… Discover what the castle of Foix might have looked like!
The Forges of Pyrene
During your trip to Ariège, don’t miss the Forges de Pyrène, a shaded park of 5 hectares located in Montgaillard, 5 km from Foix. Enjoy a guided tour by glass artisans and enthusiastic guides.
You can also take part in various workshops such as the blacksmith’s workshop, the master glassmaker, the basket maker, the bread oven, the goldsmith and the 1900 school.
During your visit, you can access the iron museum and the museum of old trades. It houses a collection of 5,000 pieces representing no less than 130 different trades. These are presented in a slide show and grouped into 5 themed areas, including itinerant trades, agriculture and animal husbandry, domestic life, housing and clothing.
Prehistory Park
Travel back in time to the heart of Cro-Magnon daily life… Walk in the footsteps of prehistoric man for a day!
In our workshops, you’ll learn how to hunt, carve flint, light a fire as if you were 16,000 years old, dig like an archaeologist or paint on the walls of a real-life cave!
Le Grand Atelier, a 2,500 m² museographic space, introduces you to the art of prehistory through films, objects and life-size replicas such as the reproduction of the Salon Noir in the Niaux cave, the “Forbidden Niaux” and the Marsoulas cave.
The House of Wolves
It’s a destination not to be missed, as you’ll discover wolf packs from Europe, Poland, Canada, the Alaskan Tundra and the Arctic. Accompanied by the park’s animal caretakers, spend a privileged moment with these animals by feeding them or by observing them more closely in the vision tunnel. If you are lucky, you may even witness the birth of baby cubs.
Located within the Orlu National Wildlife Reserve, the Maison des Loups park is also home to other emblematic animals such as dwarf goats, rabbits, poultry, sheep, guinea pigs and rainbow trout. You can also take part in a variety of activities, such as the footprint-molding activity or the Gold Diggers workshop.
The cave of Niaux
The ornate cave at Niaux is one of Europe’s most famous Paleolithic sites. By the light of a lamp, explore this unique site in the Pyrenees and discover several cave paintings made by our ancestors, depicting Magdalenian fauna (horses, bison, cattle, fish, deer…).
Numerous enigmatic signs (dots, lines, claviforms…) have also been found on the walls and floors, generally painted in red and black. The meaning of these colors is still a mystery.
The castle of Roquefixade
The ruins of the castle of Roquefixade are located in the massif of Plantaurel, between Foix and Lavelanet.
Climb to the top of the impressive cliff and discover this 100-metre-long fortress. From here, you’ll have a magnificent view of the Tabe massif, Montségur castle, the Lauragais region, the Corbières, the Pays d’Olmes and all the Pyrenean ranges.
The discovery of this site allows you to take one of the most beautiful hikes in Ariège.
The Mas d’Azil cave
Lovers of history, geology and archaeology will surely be delighted to visit this cave, which has been classified as a Historic Monument since 1942.
This exceptional site is famous for its immense cavities, crossed by a road and by the Arize river. It is home to numerous prehistoric relics, including the famous Magda skull, cave paintings, the “Faon aux oiseaux” propulsive stick, and ibexes carved on a sperm whale tooth…
The visitable part of the cave is located on the right bank of the Arize. The ornate galleries, meanwhile, are inaccessible, but you can explore them using virtual reality techniques for a fun, digital tour guided by sumptuous lighting.
The castle of Montsegur
This building is located at 1207 m above sea level at the top of a rocky ridge in the Pyrenees, on a steep slope to the north. From the top of this mystical site, you’ll have a breathtaking view of the village, the impressive verticalwalls of the Gorges de la Frau, the medieval castle of Roquefixade and all the surrounding plains.
This emblematic Ariège monument was built in 1206 in the commune of Montségur. The building attracts many tourists every year thanks to its geographical location, natural beauty and fascinating history linked to the Cathar religion.
The underground river of Labouiche
Enjoy a unique experience in Ariège with a visit to the 1,500-meter-long Labouiche underground river, some 60 meters below ground.
To reach it, cross the magnificent tunnel under daylight and descend the staircase of almost 200 steps.
Then board the small metal boat to contemplate the beauty of this unique natural site.
The lake of Bethmale
Bethmale Lake is a beautiful place to fish, rest and picnic.
Located in the heart of the Ariege Pyrenees Regional Nature Park, at an altitude of 1074 meters, this heavenly site covers an area of 1.1 hectares and is 5 meters deep. It is characterized by its crystal-clear emerald waters and deciduous forest.
This natural site in the Ariège is accessible all year round. In summer as well as in winter, the landscape remains incredibly beautiful. If you visit in spring or autumn, you’ll see many soft green or orange leaves carpeting the ground around the lake.
The Bishop’s Palace at Saint Lizier
A visit to the Palais des Évêques, once a bishopric, prison and insane asylum, reveals the history of the Couserans region and the evolution of the site through modern museography! Discover the 13,000-coin monetary treasure trove, models and interactive displays, the psychiatric history of the site and new objects brought out of storage for the occasion. Continue your visit in the Notre-Dame-de-la-Sède cathedral. Look up and contemplate the superb Renaissance paintings. You’ll understand why it’s nicknamed “Ariège’s Sistine Chapel”.
XPloria the Time Explorer Forest
Do you like adventures in the wilderness? Take a tour of this playful tourist and cultural structure located in the heart of the Castagnès forest, in the village of Le Mas-d’Azil.
There are many interesting things to discover during this immersion, such as models of prehistoric animals, various fauna and flora, interactive showcases, giant illustrations…
Temporary exhibitions, games, animations and events are also organized to help you learn while having fun.
The regional natural park of the Ariegean Pyrenees
Enjoy a breath of fresh mountain air in the Ariège.
Come and discover the many plant and animal species in the Ariege Pyrenees Regional Nature Park, some of which are endemic, protected or endangered.
These include the bearded vulture, capercaillie, Pyrenean euproct, woodlark, European otter, Succise’s checkerspot, griffon vulture, rock ptarmigan… On the flora side, Siberian ligwort and hooked pine are among the most emblematic.
Backed by the Spanish border ridges, this area has become a favorite spot for hikers thanks to the diversity of its landscapes: waterfalls, peaks, rivers, lakes, ponds, caves, monuments…
Covering an area of 2,462 km², the Ariege Pyrenees Regional Nature Park is home to some of the region’s finest tourist sites, including Mont Valier, the Araing cirque, the Bassiès ponds, the Niaux and Mas d’Azil caves, the Ars waterfall…
Mirepoix
The town of Mirepoix is easily recognized by its half-timbered houses, the second floor of which is extended by timber-framed roofs supported by pillars and beams carved with animals. Mirepoix is also famous for its many tourist attractions, including the Cathédrale Saint-Maurice de Mirepoix, Château de Terride, Vergers du Bedou…
During your visit, do not miss the big market of Mirepoix which takes place every Monday on the squares Maréchal Leclerc and Philippe de Lévis. You’ll have the opportunity to discover the region’s culinary specialties, as well as local handicrafts.
Also to be seen in Ariège
In addition to these 14 emblematic sites, there are many other tourist attractions to discover in Ariège, such as Etang Bleu, Pic d’Estibat, Pic des Trois Seigneurs, Cascades d’Ars, Artigue and Roquefort-les-Cascades.
You can also visit the most beautiful villages in the Ariège: Camon, Foix, Saint-Lizier, Carla-Bayle, Seix and Ax-les-Thermes with its ski resort. There are so many more, but it’s these medieval cities that are the richest historically and culturally.
How to get to Ariège ?
Several means of transportation will take you to the Ariege. You can get there :
By car
There’s nothing better than traveling in your own vehicle. What’s more, it makes it easy to get around when visiting the many tourist sites in the Ariège.
By train
You can reach Ariège by train. This French department has many railway stations. You’ll find them in Pamiers, Varilhes, Mérens-les-Vals, Foix, Ax-les-Thermes, Tarascon-sur-Ariège, Les Cabannes, Andorre-L’Hospitalet, Luzenac-Garanou, Mérens-les-Vals, Saint-Jean-de-Verges, Saverdun, etc.
By plane
Flying is a must when it comes to travel. However, Ariège does not have an airport. You must therefore land in Toulouse, located a few kilometers from the Ariège territory.
Where to stay in Ariège ?
Ariege knows how to welcome tourists! Marc and Montmija offer you a range of accommodation options for your stay in our vacation village, which in addition to its comfortable accommodation also offers a variety of activities and entertainment.
Types of accommodation in Marc and Montmija
Marc et Montmija is a rental association for your vacations located in Ariège. It has 5 establishments in the Ariège, located close to the most emblematic sites in the Ariege Pyrenees.
For example, you can stay in the vacation village Le Tarbesou, located at an altitude of 1,400 m on the Bonascre plateau in Ax-les-Thermes. Here you will find bright and spacious rooms and fully equipped apartments.
The vacation village Les Lambrilles is also an excellent choice if you want to spend a pleasant time with family or friends. The latter offers you a unique stay in fully equipped cottages or chalets, with terrace and garden furniture.
The activities offered in the vacation villages of Marc and Montmija
There are plenty of activities for young and old to enjoy: pétanque or volleyball tournaments, dance classes, sports tournaments, shows and evening entertainment, various games for children, hiking… You also have free access to the swimming pool in each village.
The vacation villages of Marc and Montmija also offer a range of catering options to complete your stay. It is usually a breakfast and a meal served in the form of a buffet or by the plate. The dishes are cooked from fresh, local and quality products. Taste culinary specialties from the Ariège and Catalonia accompanied by a wine from the region. With delicious pastries and a good cup of coffee, enjoy the nice weather and the beautiful views of the valleys by sitting on the sunny terraces. Children are offered a special menu at each service.
