Although we have our share of medieval cités such as St Lizier and Mirepoix, Cathar castles at Montségur and Roquefixade, several lovely Romanesque churches and some of the most extensive prehistoric caves in Europe, the Ariège is primarily a destination for lovers of the great outdoors. These are the hidden Pyrenees, unscarred by detritus of ski machinery, ugly apartment blocks or crowds, where you can walk and meet no-one, even in August. The high peaks of the Pyrenees are rarely out of sight and form a stunning backdrop all over the department, with the highest rising to around 3000 metres.
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The bird, animal, and plant life here is exceptional, with many species being specific to the area. Black and red kites, buzzards and the occasional short-toed eagle regularly hunt over Maison Grillou, and there are several easily accessible spots where you can see vultures and golden eagles. Marmots and isards (chamois) are abundant in the high mountains; closer to home you might spot a deer or wild cat in or around the grounds along with the 50+ varieties of butterflies that fill our air from early spring to late autumn.
Come in May or June and be wowed by the wild flowers - we can point you to a spot 15 minutes away where 30 varieties of orchids flower and to mountain pastures where you'll find fields full of bright blue gentian and grassy cliffs with 100 species of every hue. Or you could just wander around our local lanes and marvel at the sheer abundance of flowers in the nearby fields before they're cut for hay.
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Ariège has a more open, alternative and eco feel than many other French departments, largely due to the number of people who over the last 30 years or so have opted out of the rat race and moved here to live more simply - much as we've done. As a result, there are many small organic and biodynamic food producers and alternative practitioners of various kinds and an amazing variety of arts, crafts and traditional and world music. We have some of the best festivals in Midi-Pyrénées and a remarkably active cultural scene. And of course the Tour de France is here pretty much every year, with (usually) a stage finish or start.
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