An autumn with the family

To enjoy your autumn holidays in the Pyrenees!

An autumn getaway filled with sharing, laughter, and special moments. Customize your stay to suit your desires…

Accommodation: Settle into the heart of the mountains in the village of Moulis, just a 10-minute drive from Saint-Girons. La Maïsou in Moulis is a magnificent renovated building offering breathtaking views of the valley. An ideal place to recharge and enjoy the autumnal landscapes.

Day 1: Walk in nature

Morning: The view from Cape Blanc

To start your stay off right, head towards Cap Blanc, where you'll find an orientation table to discover the Couserans mountains and their autumnal colors. You can bring a picnic with you if you want to eat there because it's the ideal place!

Afternoon: The Royal Forest

Autumn is the perfect time for mushroom hunting. And what better place to do your foraging than the Royal Forest ? An easy family outing in a truly unique location in Europe.

And if you have a little more time, why not take a short walk around the lake of Sainte-Croix-Volvestre: a real village lake, with a view of the church steeple! You can pick up a treat at the lakeside shop to end this lovely day.

Day 2: Discovering the heritage and wildlife

Morning: The city of Saint-Lizier

Continue your day by visiting the medieval town of Saint-Lizier, which will take you on a journey through its history and iconic monuments. You can also visit Saint-Lizier Cathedral to discover its Romanesque cloister, unique in Ariège. The tourist office offers a discovery walk with puzzles to solve and other fun games for children. Meet at the Saint Lizier tourist information office!

And don't forget to visit the Bishops' Palace. This grandiose monument has become a departmental museum, which explains the evolution of the village, the palace, and the Couserans region, with a fun tour specially designed for families. The Palace also houses the Notre-Dame-de-la-Sède Cathedral, the second cathedral of Saint-Lizier... yes, there are two cathedrals!

Then, to stretch your legs even more, take the opportunity to go for a short walk on the Gabats path (1h30 round trip, 100m elevation gain).

Afternoon: The Land of Traces

Start your day by heading to the Land of Traces . For half a day, become a researcher, archaeologist, or tracker through the various activities offered…

• Introduction to basketry
• Archaeology and excavations
• Prehistoric casting
• The Bone Breaker and many others…

Day 3: Adventure and mystery to discover

In the morning: Escape Game in the forest!

Head to the Matérat forest with Ariège Loisirs and search for clues to find our witches! From atop their wicked broomsticks, they'll give you a run for your money as you try to discover their mysterious hiding place …

Afternoon: Bethmale Lake

Continue your journey towards Lake Bethmale for a short walk in the heart of our mountains. A 45-minute walk will take you to this heart-shaped lake. While you're there, take the opportunity to visit the Col de la Core pass, which offers a remarkable viewpoint ablaze with autumn colors.

Day 4: Greenway and visit to a remarkable garden

Morning: The greenway

Set off to explore the greenway from Saint-Girons to Rimont, a former railway line converted into a cycle path. You'll feel the wind in your hair and admire the surrounding countryside. For lunch, we suggest a well-deserved break at the restaurant " A la bonne franquette " in Rimont. This restaurant is a must-stop for food lovers. You can also take the opportunity to buy some charcuterie in the shop. It's a bit of a climb up to the village from the greenway, but it's definitely worth it! Alternatively, you can bring your own picnic...

Afternoon: Combelongue Abbey and its remarkable gardens

After a delicious break, we made another stop in Rimont to visit Combelongue Abbey and its remarkable gardens . A true historical gem of our region, this nearly 900-year-old monument is built entirely of brick, while all the other buildings of that era in our area are made of stone. Its peaceful gardens reflect several periods (from the Middle Ages to the present day) and offer a true escape from the everyday.

Day 5: A medieval village and precision activity.

Morning: The village of Tourtouse

To conclude this wonderful week, we suggest you head to the village of Tourtouse and its interpretive trail . There you'll find about ten information panels, allowing you to discover the history of this typical little village in the Couserans region.

Afternoon: Archery

Put on your Robin Hood costume and head to the Couserans Gates Archery Course ! It's open to beginners and perfect for sharing a great time with the family while discovering beautiful autumn forest landscapes with views over the valleys. Plus, the targets aren't your average targets… Okay, at first, you'll practice on regular targets, but later on the course, they're 3D targets! That means they're large, fantastic creatures (dinosaurs, giant insects…), which makes the afternoon even more fun. Honestly, we tried it , and it's awesome.

So? Are your suitcases ready to enjoy autumn with your family?

To discover too

with children

Autumn getaways in the Pyrenees