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This site in French What other people think about us French Foothills: our walking site and blog 10 things to love about the Ariège Je ne sais quoi This photoblog of the Ariège The main tourism site site of Ariège-Pyrénées The official site of the Ariège Parc Naturel More English language information about the Ariège Our favourite journey planner |
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AND OVER IN THE MEDITERRANEAN PYRENEES ...
Maison Grillou has a little Mediterranean sister, Maison Leela: an old stone terraced cottage in the French Catalan village of Villelongue-dels-Monts, at the foot of the Albères mountains - 15 minutes from the sea, and the same from Spain and Ceret. Leela is primarily our own Mediterranean retreat - but far too lovely to keep all to ourselves, so we open her up for just a few weeks a year to previous Maison Grillou guests only (and sometimes to those wanting to book a two-centre holiday with a week in each house). More >> |
the pyrenees. for grown ups.
A VERY SPECIAL COUNTRY HOUSE GITE IN THE HEART OF THE ARIEGE PYRENEES NATURAL PARK
A gorgeous and fantastically equipped converted barn in a 'secret' wooded garden, specially designed for couples. Light, colour, space (so much space!), big open plan sitting room with dining area and cooks' kitchen, vast bedroom upstairs with cathedral ceiling, huge sliding windows and another sitting area, large bathroom, lovely private garden and 3 terraces. More >>
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A BREATH OF FRESH AIR |
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Maison Grillou sits in a couple of acres of wooded grounds, almost at the end of a forest track with just one other (out of sight) house beyond. We’re at an altitude of 500 metres, in the heart of the stunningly beautiful Parc Naturel des Pyrénées Ariégeoises: the air here is the purest in France, the night skies are spectacular, and the silence is broken only by birdsong and occasional cow bells in the valley below.
Although you'll feel as though you've fallen off the world, you're just 3 kilometres from the nearest village, Rimont. In spite of its small population, Rimont has a boulangerie, an épicerie-bar, an artisanal distillery/bar which also stocks local produce, a post office and a renowned charcuterie with its own farm restaurant. There's a twelfth century abbey, Combelongue, that also has lovely gardens, and the village is surrounded by beautiful scenery.
Wherever you go, the Pyrenees are rarely out of sight and form a stunning backdrop all over the department, with the highest peaks rising to around 3000 metres. Our own ‘pays’, the Séronais, is a mixture of lush green, rolling pastureland and higher altitude forest and meadow, while by car you can get close to the high peaks in 25 minutes and pretty much anywhere in the department in an hour. The whole area is fantastic for walking, with endless well-marked paths for all levels, for birding, for butterflies and wild flowers, and for photography and painting. When you want a chill out day, there are lakes, rivers and mountain cols: perfect places to settle down with a book and a picnic.
Although you'll feel as though you've fallen off the world, you're just 3 kilometres from the nearest village, Rimont. In spite of its small population, Rimont has a boulangerie, an épicerie-bar, an artisanal distillery/bar which also stocks local produce, a post office and a renowned charcuterie with its own farm restaurant. There's a twelfth century abbey, Combelongue, that also has lovely gardens, and the village is surrounded by beautiful scenery.
Wherever you go, the Pyrenees are rarely out of sight and form a stunning backdrop all over the department, with the highest peaks rising to around 3000 metres. Our own ‘pays’, the Séronais, is a mixture of lush green, rolling pastureland and higher altitude forest and meadow, while by car you can get close to the high peaks in 25 minutes and pretty much anywhere in the department in an hour. The whole area is fantastic for walking, with endless well-marked paths for all levels, for birding, for butterflies and wild flowers, and for photography and painting. When you want a chill out day, there are lakes, rivers and mountain cols: perfect places to settle down with a book and a picnic.
Amazing nature
The bird, animal and plant life here is truly exceptional, with huge variety and lots of endemic species. More >> |
Wonderful walking
The Ariège has around 5000 km of marked footpaths at all levels, from strolling to scrambling. More >> |
Fantastic food and markets
This is the preserve of the small farmer-producer - the local food is not to be missed! More >> |
Loads of history
From prehistoric caves to Romanesque churches, Cathar trails and the Resistance routes ... More >> |