Situated at the center of the Pyrenees mountain range, Ariège is one of France's most unspoilt departments. Here, nature reveals itself in all its wild, unspoilt beauty and authenticity. From the plains of the Ariège to the foothills of the Pyrenees, from the gentle valleys of the séronnais to the majestic landscapes of the Couserans or the Haute Ariège, there's no shortage of ideas for activities.
Near Ruffié gîtes (Foix)
| Visit the Château des Comtes de Foix and its brand new museography | 3 Km |
| Visit the Pyrène forges and its museum of old trades at Montgailhard | 7 km |
| Discover the Labouiche underground river at Baulou by boat | 8 km |
| Have a drink (in season) at the Labarre Foix nautical base | 5 km |
| Climb to the ruins of Château de Labarre in Foix | 5 Km |
| St Sauveur or Pech terraces walks (departures from Foix) | 3 Km |
| Go for a walk, picnic or watch the sunset at Prat d'Albis | 18 Km |
Within a 25 km radius of the gîtes
| Take the D17 to the Col des Marrous and then the Col de Péguere. | 15 Km |
| Visit the Bastide-de-Sérou reptile farm | 18 Km |
| Golf at the Unjat ecogolf course (La Bastide de Sérou) | 20 Km |
| Pedal-boating and water-ski cableways at Mercus | 20 Km |
| Visit the Bédeilhac cave | 20 Km |
| Visit the Lombrives cave | 21 Km |
| Visit the Tarascon Prehistory Park (see our page dedicated to prehistory) | 22 Km |
| Visit the sublime Niaux cave | 25 Km |
Within a radius of 35 km or more
| Visit the Mas d'Azil cave | 35 Km |
| Visit Xploria, the forest that explores time, at Mas d'Azil | 35 Km |
| Visit the medieval town of Mirepoix | 38 Km |
| Visit Montsegur castle | 38 Km |
| Visit the cloister and palace of the bishops of St Lizier | 46 Km |
| Discover the beautiful Orlu valley and its tourist attractions | 50 Km |
All the way to the Principality of Andorra, at the famous "Pas de la Case". | 75 Km |
Other things to do in Ariège
- Cycling, mountain biking, walking on the greenways of Mirepoix and La Bastide de Sérou or on the roads of Ariège(see our dedicated page);
- From the walk to the small assembly;
- Mountain hiking: high valley of Vicdessos, Ariège, Couserans ;
- From the horse;
- Canoeing on the Ariège in Foix, Pamiers and Ussat ;
- Pedal-boating and swimming on the Montbel and Mercus lakes;
- Birdwatching in Mazères;
- From thalassotherapy in Ax-les-Thermes to the thermal spa in Ussat-les-Bains;
- And don't forget the Ariège markets and local festivals. Several tourist guides and the program of summer events are available in the gîte.
Your hosts' little extras
Cécile is a publisher in Ariège and each year publishes a guide to simple pleasures, with the most spectacular and romantic spots, ideas for simple walks or picnics, and elements of remarkable heritage.
Laurence, a globe-trotter, specializes in publishing guides toecovolunteer missions in France and around the world.
Foix Castle