Area
The Department of the Ariège is part of the Midi-Pyrenees and lies against Andorra. The highest peaks of the Pyrenees are visible up to Toulouse. It is one of the most sparsely populated, pristine regions of France, whose inhabitants still maintain their ancient traditions.
With an average of more than 2.000 hours of sunshine a year the Ariège is the one of the Midi-Pyrenees regions in France where the sunshine is strongest. In most of the territory of this region the observed temperatures over 25 °C is 60 to 80 days per year.The Midi-Pyrenees for that matter can compete with the Mediterranean coast and the Rhone Valley.
The countryside is rugged and very accessible. Trout-rich streams flow through forested mountain slopes into the rivers where you can kayak, climbing, caving and rafting. Clearly marked trails lead you to the 3.000 meters high peaks of the Pyrenees. Cyclists can now follow in the footsteps of the many cycling heroes of the Tour. Mountain bikers can let themselves go. Near Carla Bayle is a very fun and educational tree climbing course for young and old at 3 years and for the real daredevils bunjee jump in Mas d'Azil.For horse lovers there are several possibilities. And in the winter skiers and hikers enjoy the non crowded ski areas in the Pyrenees.
Thanks to the constantly applying centuries-old agricultural practices countless species of plants and animals flourish here. For bird lovers there is plenty to do. Far from the power centers, the Ariege always has been a refuge: for prehistoric man who used the many caves, for the Cathars who lived in conflict with the church, for the resistance fighters, pilots and refugees in the Second World War.
And then there are the many historic towns which are easily accessible by car: Toulouse,the Paris of the South, Lourdes, where Mary appeared to Bernadette, Carcassonne and Mirepoix, where the Middle Ages still prevail; Barcelona, city of culture par excellence.
Below are some pictures. Click it and you get the large version. Alternatively there is the page Photoalbum
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