Discovering Ariège and Andorra
Program of the stay
Day 1
Welcome at the end of the day, aperitif (welcome cocktail), dinner. Presentation of the stay
In the evening: Slide show presentation of the ARIEGE
Day 2 (96 km)
Day: Les Forges de Pyrène : this timeless hamlet features 120 trades, most of which have disappeared, several workshops run by craftsmen and an original show on daily life at the beginning of the last century. Depending on the opening of the stalls, you will be welcomed by the blacksmith, the clog maker, the horn comb maker, the blacksmith, the baker, the cutler or the goldsmith who will work, in front of you, with their old tools.
In the museum of the trades of the past, relive the gestures of our ancestors and discover their secrets of craftsmen: peddler, bear showman, tooth puller, stone cutter, thatcher, nail maker… Lunch at the restaurant. Continuation of the visit of the Forges.
In the evening : Musical game
Day 3 (46 km)
Morning: Ax les Thermes and its market, guided tour of the old town. Lunch in the vacation village.
Afternoon: The house of the Wolves of Orlu. Come and discover in the middle of the forest, an animal park entirely dedicated to the wolf. In a preserved natural environment, you will observe the wolf packs of Europe, North America and the Arctic. Daily feeding of the packs with commentary. Numerous activities along the trails: trail tracks, barefoot trail, photo exhibition, auditorium, sound station, gold panning workshop…
Evening: Tales and legends of the Pyrenees.
Day 4 (87 km) Driver rest
Morning: Panoramic walk and its farm meal : During a quiet and easy walk of about one hour, you will go to the Plateau de Beille where the herds enjoy the high altitude grass all summer long, then you will have lunch in a farmhouse in Les Cabannes.
Afternoon: Visit of the aquaculture farm “Les chutes d’Aston”. The fish farm is specialized in the breeding of trout in the fresh waters of the Aston Valley. During a guided tour, you will discover the production methods, the different species raised in our ponds as well as all the biodiversity present around the farm. Following the visit, a tasting of local products will be offered.
In the evening: Cinema
Day 5 (104 km)
Morning: Visit of the Castle of Foix. Even before entering the city, its imposing stature, dominating the valley, attracts the eye of visitors and impresses by its height. True emblem of the Medieval period, in turn defensive, habitat and prison, the castle dominates the city of Foix. Strolling through the castle, one could believe that the famous Gaston Fébus and his court still occupy the place! In each room, furniture, seats, tables, beds and weapons are installed to give it back all its former splendor. Among the rooms to discover, we count the great ceremonial room, the count’s room, the arms room, the scriptorium, the dungeon… On the terraces, you will discover exceptional war machines, like the trebuchet or the pierrière and an impressive drum winch.
At the foot of the castle, discover the new 2,000m2 museum space and get to know the Counts of Foix. Lunch at the restaurant
Afternoon: Visit of the old city and its alleys. Free time
In the evening: Ariège quiz
Day 6 (68 km)
Morning: Walk on the plateau / Making walking stick / Making cheese the old fashioned way / Couloubret or Free morning.
Lunch on site
Afternoon: Visit of the Talc quarry of TRIMOUNS. Overlooking the valley of Ariège, an immense circus offers itself to your eyes: one of the largest careers of the world. At 1800 m of altitude, on the giant steps, men are working. At the controls of huge machines, they discover, extract, sort and transport talc, the softest and most tender rock of our earth. In front of them, the high chain of the Pyrenees unfolds its snowy peaks.
In the evening: Lotto evening with regional products to be won.
Day 7 (115 km)
Day trip to ANDORRA.
Morning: Visit of the Tobacco Museum which shows the importance of this culture in the history of the principality. Lunch at the restaurant.
Afternoon: Our Lady of Meritxell: The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Meritxell is located in the hamlet of Meritxell (parish of Canillo). It is dedicated to the cult of the Virgin of Meritxell, Patron Saint of the Principality of Andorra. The old Romanesque sanctuary, which dated from the 16th century, totally disappeared in a fire during the night of September 8 to 9, 1972. The statue representing the Virgin was also destroyed. A faithful copy is currently on display in the new Sanctuary. The new church is the work of the Catalan architect Ricard Bofill.
On the way back, shopping at Pas de la Case.
In the evening: Ariège dinner and dance.
Day 8
Departure after breakfast.
This program is a non-exhaustive proposal
A final program will be established according to the availability on the various sites.
This rate includes :
– Accommodation in rooms for 2 people (1 double bed or 2 single beds) with television, equipped with showers, toilets, washbasins, all served by elevator.
– Towels provided, beds made on arrival.
– Catering (wine included, coffee included at lunch).
– 4 lunches at the restaurant during the stay.
– The provision of an animator for the visits and the evenings planned in the program.
– The provision of a coach on day 3 for the rest of your driver.
– Rates are calculated on the basis of 30 people and are subject to change in the event of a drop in numbers.
Not included in the service :
– Daily cleaning of the rooms
– Transportation during the stay is provided by yourself (except on day 3).