Summer

The Ariegé offers a wide range of sporting and leisure activities throughout the year. In summer trekking on foot or by bicycle are easy convenient ways of passing the day. From Le Moulin a Reve you can choose a large variety of treks ranging in length from two hours to several days. There are also a number of horse-riding centers close by where one can enjoy horse riding. The horse riding treks are also numerous and vary considerable in length.Kayaking is available in a number of different forms. In Foix on the Ariegé river one can hire kayaks and other types of small boats to spend an afternoon on a man made still water lake Further up stream near Tarascon one can hire kayaks for the whole day and flow down stream towards Foix through small to medium size rapids. The journey can take up to 4 hours and is extremely enjoyable. The organizers have a pick up point where both crew and kayak are returned to the starting point. In Foix itself the river has been formed into a competitive kayak course where the French Olympic selectors selected the Olympic team. As one can imagine this provides a challenging kayak run for the more experienced kayaker. Approximately one hour drive direction east or west white water rafting is also available. Canyoning, which is the adventurous pastime of trekking to remote mountain waterfalls, lakes, rivers etc., for the purpose of diving, jumping or swimming is also available in the region. This often entails long treks climbing and descending through rugged landscape to an appropriate location.A variety of rock climbing sites are available with fitted rock faces. Most are within a 30-minute drive. However ropes clips and any other personnel equipment necessary are not supplied. Paragliding flights are organized for the beginner from the peaks to the south of Foix. One can descend strapped to one of the more experienced instructors.

Due to the fact that our property is an old 14^th century water mill, fishing is available literally at our front door. The 200m. long millstream, which flows under the house, has its own supply of trout, which are I am sorry to say, preserved. But the river Arget, two minutes walk away, has a good stock of mountain trout. For the less patient fishing person there are a number of fish farms in the area where one can hook fish by the minute. The Ariegé also offers a huge variety of ancient ruins and caves. Within a short car trip from our accommodation one can visit a large number of Cathar ruins, which are open all year round. Several prehistoric caves with cave paintings are also within similar distance. The underground river at Labouiche is a mere 8 km from Foix. Quite mountain passes accessible through picturesque winding roads with splendid views of the Pyrenean peaks are plentiful and vary considerable in altitude and landscape.Further a field one hours drive to the east the fortress at Carcassonne the worlds largest preserved 11^th century town provides an excellent day trip. The southern French city of Toulouse is a one-hour drive to the north and is always worth a visit. For duty free shopping Andorra is approximately an hour's drive to the south. Lourdes is less than two hours drive to the west.Day trips to the Mediterranean towns of Narbonne and Perpignan two hours east and Biarritz and Bayonne on the Atlantic which takes approximately three hours driving due west.

 

                            Barguillere Valley

Winter

Most mountain passes above 1200m. altitude are closed between November and March due to snowfall. A lot of caves and Grottos are also closed in the winter season. Of course most water activities are also impractical. Apart from that, all of the above mentioned activities can be carried out throughout the year.

Ski resorts for alpine skiing are plentiful in the Ariegé. There are a number of ski-stations within a 45-minute drive of La Mouline and a greater number of higher altitude stations a further thirty minutes drive away. Here one can take advantage of the relative low tourist numbers to avoid long queues for ski lifts and restaurants. For beginners also it can be advantageous to stay in accommodation below the snow line where one can enjoy trekking in the often-mild sunny winter climate while taking a break from the colder higher slopes.

Cross-country skiing is also easily available in the Ariegé. The more well known stations include Le Plateau de Beille which in summer is regularly a popular Etape finish site for the TOUR de FRANCE cycle race.

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Tourism Information

Foix (8km)

South of France - Pyrenees - Ariège) The town is dominated by its castle located on a rocky headland. The castle is very old and has preserved two towers (14th and 15th century) and a 15th century dungeon from the time when the castle was part of an important fortified town. In 1002, the Count of Carcassonne bequeathed the Foix Castle to his son who took the title of Count of Foix. The fortified town was besieged in 1210 in the Albigensian Crusade, then in 1272 by Philip the Bold, the Count of Foix having refused to recognised the French sovereignty. The Count was forced to surrender. In the 17th century, the county was united to the kingdom by Henry IV, and the town lost its military function. To see : Ariège departmental museum devoted to prehistory and archaeology.

Montségur (25km)

(South of France - Pyrenees - Ariège) From the height of the "pog" rocks reaching 1216 metres in altitude, the ruins of the castle look over the Montségur village and surroundings. The Montségur castle was rebuilt in 1204 on the site of the original castle. It shelters one hundred men in defence of the Cathar community. In 1242, a troop from Montségur massacred the members of the Avignonet inquisition tribunal, provoking a crusade against the fortress. The siege started in July 1243 and the site was overcome in Spring 112244. In March 1244, 207 Montségur Cathars were burnt at the stake.

Mirepoix (28km)

(Midi-Pyrenées - Ariège) Medieval city with character, the walled town was founded in 1279. The 14th century Aval gate is a squared tower with a portcullis whose grooves are still visible. In the medieval town-centre, a square surrounded with one-floored houses supported by wooden pillars. The square forms a gallery with houses on each side, offering a charm characteristic of Mirepoix. The 15th and 16th century cathedral shows off the largest Gothic nave in France (22 metres). To see : the medieval week which takes place in July.