Superb barn conversion, with a magnificent 180° view of the mountains. South-facing, at 800m altitude, in the heart of the Ariège Nature Reserve in the Pyrenees. A haven of peace and absolute tranquility, an ideal place to recharge your batteries, which will enchant nature lovers, bird enthusiasts, walkers. Hiking trail starts just behind the house. Numerous activities and discoveries to be made in the region. Shops and tourist office in Massat, 10 min by car. Sun loungers and hammocks are waiting for you on a large terrace under the shade of a wonderful walnut tree where you can dine al fresco. A second covered terrace with bench seat and a second hammock. A big 40m2 living room with a wood stove and comfortable seating area A spacious kitchen with dining table and terrace access. 2 bathrooms 4 places to sleep : Bedroom 1 : 1 Queen size bed (160x200) Bedroom 2 : 1 double bed + 1 single bed Sleeping area with folding screen : 1 single bed

Welcome to Ariège ! The history of the region and the fact it is mountainous and far from the capital has created independent-minded, self-sufficient people. There are wild open spaces with few barriers outdoors. There is a sense of freedom with no constraints. Those with enough time, stamina and grit can spend 7 weeks hiking in the Pyrenees along the GR10 which stretches up and down some 866 km or so from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to the Mediterranean Sea in the east. You can stay in mountain cabin refuges along the way. The whole walk is beautifully described and rigorously documented by Steve Cracknell in his book: The Pyrenean Way. The hill farmers don’t like to be told what to do by the powers in Paris and this was true in the 13th century when the Count of Foix (the region’s capital) resisted being absorbed into France into the french monarchy after 300 years of independance. He was defeated by the french king Philippe The Bold (le hardi). Earlier in 1209, the Roman Catholic church ordered a war against christian group the Cathars, Thousands preferred to be burned than to give in. They spent much of their lives in caves in deep meditation for months.

In the heart of the Ariège Pyrenees Nature Reserve, 1 hour from Foix, 1h50 from Toulouse. The French Ariege Pyrenees was featured on UK TV in Episode 3 of Channel 5’s The Pyrenees with Michael Portillo. The french Ariege Pyrenees region is one of the wildest and most unspoilt in all of France with a rich diversity of wild animals, Pyrenean mountain goat (Isard), brown bear, griffon vultures … The Pyrenees form a natural border between France and Spain and have been a historical crossing point for pilgrims, refugees, resistance lines, smugglers and witches throughout history. The place is 30 minutes from Saint Girons (and its huge food and craft market on saturday mornings - a must ! ), 45 min from Tarascon. The region is a natural paradise with dozens of lakes and waterfalls What is there to discover ? The area is very rural and every year there is « transhumence » : the tradition of moving cattle and sheep and horses up to the high grass for summer which has taken place since the middle ages. There are local markets all year round, horseriding or walking with mules, prehistoric caves (one with an underground river), the superb Lers lake with its mountain restaurant, fishing in summer and cross-country skiing and snow-shoeing in winter, 45 minutes from the ski resort Guzet neige. the Aulus thermal spa …. Hiking map and brochures available with our recommendations : restaurants, markets, honey, cheese … Ideal for a weekend, a week or longer, in a tranquil place surrounded by nature.