05 61 66 88 03

Couserans: A Hidden Treasure of Ariège

Nestled in the heart of the Pyrenees, bordering Spain, and crisscrossed by countless rivers, the Couserans region is undoubtedly one of the best-kept treasures of Ariège. Wild, breathtaking, and steeped in mystery, it offers endless opportunities for discovery and awe. With its deep-rooted traditions and rich history, this preserved natural environment (a Regional Nature Park) makes the Couserans a unique and special place within Ariège. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker, a cyclist, a nature enthusiast, or just a curious traveler, there’s a reason for everyone to fall in love with the Couserans.

Crédits : © Jules Gort – © Chloé Caudron – © Marine Rouch – © Maritchu Saint-Pé-Téqui – © Stéphanie Kitchen – © Gurvan Hervet

Activities

HIKING

The Couserans region is the ultimate walking friendly destination. From the lowlands to the high summits like the Mont Valier, you’ll discover a wide palette of landscapes, wildlife and flora. Water is everywhere, as torrents, falls, sources or altitude lakes. Whether you follow the GR10, the Chemin de la Liberté or the old forgotten paths, a whole new world of exploration is in front of you.

CYCLING

For the bike lovers, whether it is on road, MTB or gravel, Seix is the perfect basecamp, offering a large choice of circuits for all levels. Between classic mountain road passes, panoramic singletracks and non-referenced trails, you’ll never be disappointed.

Espace VTT FFC Couserans
24 courses for all levels

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Cycle & Vous
Shop/bike rental
28 Rue Villefranche,
09200 St Girons
Tél. : 05 61 01 54 72

Bruno Laval
Mountain bike guide
16, Rue Garabé, 09200 St Girons
Tél. : 06 20 68 18 00
lavalbru@yahoo.fr

Escapade
Bike rental
58 BIS Av. Noël Peyrevidal
09800 Castillon-en-Couserans
Tél. : 07 84 81 33 36

Loïc Dougnac
Mountain bike guide
La Miade, 09140 Ustou
Tél. : 06 85 60 17 80
loic.dougnac@hotmail.fr

Arthur Fernandez
Mountain bike guide
52 Route de Saudech,
09200 St Girons
Tél. : 06 70 06 26 69
fdz.arthur@gmail.com

SPELEOLOGY

Do you want a unique underground experience? The Couserans is full of holes, caves and galleries to explore, for all levels even for children! If you’re a geology enthusiast, history lover or rappelling descent amateur, let yourself be guided by the experts.

Objectif spéléo
Place de l’Allée, 09140 Seix
Tél . : 06 08 95 49 93
nico.objectifspeleo@gmail.com

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Horizon Vertical
Ancienne Gare, Av. Aristide Bergès
09200 St Girons
Tél. : 05 61 96 08 22

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WINTER SPORTS

Whether you go down the snowy slopes on foot or on your back, don’t change anything, you’ll find your way. The Guzet ski station (20 min from Seix) delighted its visitors, for its diversity and coziness. For the snowshoes or sled dog amateurs, many options are also available.

Station de Guzet
Ski lift office
09140 Ustou
Tél. : 05 61 96 00 11
contact@guzet.fr

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Le Picou montagne
Mountain equipment rental and sale
17, Place de l’Allée, 09140 Seix
Tél. : 05 61 66 89 61

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Guzet Sport
Rental ski / vtt
Résidence du Vallier,
09140 Guzet
Tél. : 0561044281

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Le Picou Skimium
Résidence du Haut-Couserans
09140 Guzet
Tél. : 0561044281

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Le cœur de la meute
Sled dog
La pomarede, Ustou, France
Tél. : 06 34 33 47 67
stephmushing@gmail.com

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WATER SPORT

The Salat River can also be discovered by kayak, rafting or hydrospeed ! Give yourself a whitewater trip throughout the river curves. You can safely sail from the Soueix-Rogalle aquatic base. For the less sporting ones, come trout fishing in the Bethmale Lake, probably one of the most iconic around with its heartshape!

Haut Couserans Kayak Club
Allée de la Claire
09140, Soueix-Rogalle
Tél : 09 60 06 70 32

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Ariège Fishing Federation
Tél. : 05 61 600 700
peche-ariege.com

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Horizon Vertical
Ancienne Gare, Av. Aristide Berges
09200 St Girons
Tél. : 05 61 96 08 22 

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WILDERNESS AND FLORA

Arm yourself with a botanical magnifying glass to admire the 1700 plant species listed in the Ariege’s Pyrénées. If you’re more into animals, whether they’re feather or hair covered, grab your binoculars and go observe the wilderness of the Couserans. On the program, a meeting with many species, including the bearded vulture (European widest raptor), the brown bear and the ibex to name a few!

Couserando
Doriane Gautier
Mid-mountain guide
Tél. : 06 07 41 99 90
couserando@outlook.fr

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Couserans mountain guides
Nature outings all year round to discover the fauna, flora and local culture.
rando.couserans@gmail.com

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Plume & cimes
Mathieu Aragnouet
Fauconnerie
Tél. : 06 84 70 32 59

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Au pays des traces
Park dedicated to nature
8 Rte de Miguet, 09190 Saint-Lizier
Tél. : 05 61 66 47 98

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heritage

With a history dating back to Gallo Roman period, the Couserans overflow with fascinating sites. From the Saint Lizier Cathedral (UNESCO world heritage site) to the roman church of Vic d’Oust, from the Colporteurs Museum to the history of the bear’s tamers of Ercé. Dive into the richness of the past.

Couserans tourist office
Place Alphonse Sentein
09200 Saint-Girons
Tél. : 05 61 96 26 60

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N-D de Vic church
Eglise Vic d’Oust, 09140 Oust
take rdv
Tél. : 06 80 05 01 78

Bishops Palace
collections of the Ariège departmental museum
Rte de Montjoie,
09190 Saint-Lizier
05 61 05 10 10

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Seix tourist information office
Avenue de la Barraque
09140 Seix
Tél. : 05 61 96 00 01

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Colporteurs museum
14 Rte Louis Souquet
09140 Soueix-Rogalle
Tél. : 05 61 01 74 87

Bear Showers Exhibition
Rue principale 09140 Ercé
Tél. : 05 61 66 86 00

Seixois heritage
Mme Nadine Pujol-Rieu
15, rue de la Chapelle
09140 Seix
Tél. : 06 71 28 71 76

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Seix Castle
Art, heritage and nature
Montée du Château, 09140 Seix
Tél. : 05 34 14 02 11
chateau.seix@couserans-pyrenees.fr

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handcraft

Time erases some jobs, but others remain despite the periods and this is how craft skills are preserved. And so handcrafting in Couserans is well alive: wool, wood, marble, paper… Come and meet fascinating creators, lovers of noble materials and sharing.

Aristide Bergès museum
Paper factory
Prat du Ritou
09190 Lorp Sentaraille
Tél. : 05 61 66 13 97

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Archerie des brumes
Jean-Louis Rogalle
Arc factor
Le Pouech, route du Mirabat
09140 Oust
Tél. : 06 32 54 41 57

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Pascal Jusot – Artisan sabotier
The Clogs of Bethmale
Aret, 09800 Arrien-en-Bethmale
Tél. : 05 61 96 78 84

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Julien Feraud
Wood carver
Hameau de Paloubart
09140 Oust
Tél. : 05 61 66 94 22

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Swimming pool and thermal cure

It is said that the Romans already praised the therapeutic benefits of the waters of Aulus-les-Bains! Whether or not this claim is true or not, the thermal spa remains one of the three in Ariège. Located in a stunning natural setting, Aulus-les-Bains offers a wellness space where you can relax or enjoy a personalized treatment.
For more details about this spa and the services it offers, contact the local tourism office or the spa’s official page.

Aulus Thermal Baths
Allée des Thermes
09140 Aulus les Bains
Tél. : 0561663680

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Couserans Aquatic Center
Avenue Aristide Bergès
09200 St Girons
Tél. : 05 61 64 96 22

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Markets

Several markets liven up the valley, ideal for meeting the locals, tasting the delicacies of Ariège and leaving with hand-spun wool socks. From the large lively market of Saint-Girons to the conviviality of Soueix market, don’t miss the rendez-vous!

St-Girons market
Place du Champs de Mars
09200 St-Girons
Saturday de 8h à 13h

Seix market
Place Pierre Gaston Toureille
09140 Seix
Sunday de 8h à 13h

Soueix Market
Halle Justin Clanet
09140 Soueix-Rogalle
Wednesday de 16h à 18h