Kilima Juu’s guidebook
Sightseeing
A picturesque bastide Mirepoix makes a fine base for exploring the Vallée de l’Ariège. The town's highlight and epicentre is the place Maréchal Leclerc, a square surrounded by beautifully preserved timber-framed buildings and arcades. It's a charming setting for strolling and exploring vestiges of the medieval past (including a 14th-century gate and cathedral dating back to 1298).
The Château de Montségur is a former fortress near Montségur, a commune in the Ariège department in southwest France. Its ruins are the site of a razed stronghold of the Cathars.
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Montségur
The Château de Montségur is a former fortress near Montségur, a commune in the Ariège department in southwest France. Its ruins are the site of a razed stronghold of the Cathars.
The Cité de Carcassonne is a medieval fortress dating back to the Gallo-Roman period and restored by the theorist and architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc in 1853. It was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1997.
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Carcassonne
The Cité de Carcassonne is a medieval fortress dating back to the Gallo-Roman period and restored by the theorist and architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc in 1853. It was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1997.
The village and ruined Cathar castle are both worth a visit. A good round walk (& climb) to the castle will give you magnificent 360° views as well as a view down onto the castle itself
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Roquefixade
The village and ruined Cathar castle are both worth a visit. A good round walk (& climb) to the castle will give you magnificent 360° views as well as a view down onto the castle itself
Lac Montbel is a 15-minute drive away and offers wonderful opportunities for sailing, kayaking, paddleboarding, pedalos.
A beach provides easy access to bathing and there is a beachside restaurant.
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Montbel See
Lac Montbel is a 15-minute drive away and offers wonderful opportunities for sailing, kayaking, paddleboarding, pedalos.
A beach provides easy access to bathing and there is a beachside restaurant.
Mirepoix
Neighbourhoods
Set deep in the upper Ariège valley, the outstanding scenery and lush green mountain pastures that surround the town welcome you to the beautiful town of Foix.
There are two parts to your visit to Foix: the historic town centre where you can still see various examples of medieval houses; and the castle that stands on a hill above the town and is visible from many places in the town centre.
The most dominating feature of Foix, the castle, is also the focal point of the town's history and the centre of your visit.
The Chateaux de Foix was built before the seventh century (it was mentioned in Roger 1st will when he bequeathed this amazing chateaux to his youngest son Bernard). Seated on top of a small hill this astounding piece of architecture is essential viewing on your visit here: the chateaux has undergone recent renovation and is the jewel of the town.
Unlike many chateaux, the tourist authority have also provided abundant information for visitors and offer self-guided recorded visits in many languages. Whether you’re a count, a knight a fair maiden, or a parent looking for activities for the kids, you’ll be sure to step back in time at a visit to this magnificent fortress.
Since 1930, the castle has housed the collections of the Ariège departmental museum. Sections on prehistory, Gallo-Roman and mediaeval archaeology that tell the history of the Ariège from ancient times have been created with amazing taste. The museum has organised exhibits to concentrate on the history of the castle site so as to recreate the life of Foix at the time of the Counts.
The town itself offers an interesting mix of architecture typical of an area that has incurred cross border fighting and enemy control over the centuries. There are pretty alleyways with patisseries, boulangeries and brocantes, one of which in particular you should visit: the brocante in the alley below the Chateaux de Foix.
Sooner or later all visits to Foix will reach the old market square with its quaint cafés and boutiques, and the perfect opportunity to take a coffee break.
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays are the best time to visit Foix, which comes alive with it’s markets, held in the craft centre, and on Fridays at the Place Saint Colusien and the allee de Vilotte where you will discover the biggest selection of cheeses and honey ever in one place!
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Foix
Château des Comtes de FoixSet deep in the upper Ariège valley, the outstanding scenery and lush green mountain pastures that surround the town welcome you to the beautiful town of Foix.
There are two parts to your visit to Foix: the historic town centre where you can still see various examples of medieval houses; and the castle that stands on a hill above the town and is visible from many places in the town centre.
The most dominating feature of Foix, the castle, is also the focal point of the town's history and the centre of your visit.
The Chateaux de Foix was built before the seventh century (it was mentioned in Roger 1st will when he bequeathed this amazing chateaux to his youngest son Bernard). Seated on top of a small hill this astounding piece of architecture is essential viewing on your visit here: the chateaux has undergone recent renovation and is the jewel of the town.
Unlike many chateaux, the tourist authority have also provided abundant information for visitors and offer self-guided recorded visits in many languages. Whether you’re a count, a knight a fair maiden, or a parent looking for activities for the kids, you’ll be sure to step back in time at a visit to this magnificent fortress.
Since 1930, the castle has housed the collections of the Ariège departmental museum. Sections on prehistory, Gallo-Roman and mediaeval archaeology that tell the history of the Ariège from ancient times have been created with amazing taste. The museum has organised exhibits to concentrate on the history of the castle site so as to recreate the life of Foix at the time of the Counts.
The town itself offers an interesting mix of architecture typical of an area that has incurred cross border fighting and enemy control over the centuries. There are pretty alleyways with patisseries, boulangeries and brocantes, one of which in particular you should visit: the brocante in the alley below the Chateaux de Foix.
Sooner or later all visits to Foix will reach the old market square with its quaint cafés and boutiques, and the perfect opportunity to take a coffee break.
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays are the best time to visit Foix, which comes alive with it’s markets, held in the craft centre, and on Fridays at the Place Saint Colusien and the allee de Vilotte where you will discover the biggest selection of cheeses and honey ever in one place!
Skiing
Les Monts d'Olmes
Les Monts d'OlmesA small family friendly ski resort only 1 hour drive away
Ax 3 Domaines is a winter sports resort situated in the commune of Ax-les-Thermes, departement of Ariège, in France. Since 2001, the climb to the ski station has been used as a stage finish in the Tour de France cycle race.
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Ax 3 Domaines
Boulevard de la GrioleAx 3 Domaines is a winter sports resort situated in the commune of Ax-les-Thermes, departement of Ariège, in France. Since 2001, the climb to the ski station has been used as a stage finish in the Tour de France cycle race.