Getaway in Donezan

Family hikes and discoveries

Le petit Québec ariégeois

Just 2 hours from Narbonne, adventure awaits! Off to Donezan in the Ariège Pyrenees. Away from work, school and screens, the whole family embarks on two days of discovery and easy mountain hiking. My colleague David told me about Donezan. For the past 3-4 years, he’s been spending his winter vacations at the Mijanès ski resort with his little family, then returning there for the hikes. What’s not to love about going there when you’re told: “It’s really beautiful, the ponds with the kids are relatively accessible, no more than a 2-hour walk to get there, the area is peaceful, it’s a real moment of disconnection”. And disconnecting is just what we need!

Getting there

Usson, Cathar castle

On the road

Jérôme and I have decided to take the kids to Donezan this weekend! Leaving Narbonne on Saturday after lunch, we take the majestic défilé de la Pierre Lys, a winding road between cliff and river. Then, after Axat, we rush into theAude valley, no more noise in the car… until Léa exclaims “Look! Sleeping Beauty’s castle!!!”.
The calm has given way to agitation, Théo almost shouts “on y va! on y va!”, I look at Jérôme, it’s off to a good start! We park in the parking lot and set off on foot up the narrow road to the Château d’Usson. The visit to the Cathar castle is complemented by exhibitions at the Maison des Patrimoines, Théo would have liked to have taken the model of the La Camisette airplane with him, and Léa didn’t find Sleeping Beauty, but loved the Little Lady ofUsson!

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Peace and quiet

Overnight in a guest room

Already better informed about our destination, we make our way back down to Le Sapin Rouge in Artigues, where we’ve booked an overnight stay. Lydie and Thomas give us a warm welcome, and while the children settle into their pretty family room, we settle down to an “apéro du sapin”. Then it’s time for a meal of local specialities!

The start

Towards the Restanque

After a good night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast, we’re ready to take on theBalbonnepond! Hiking shoes on, picnic, hats, sun cream, guidebook and bandages (you never know!)… Let’s go!
After Mijanès, we take the forest road to the Restanque parking lot.

Picnic?

With the car in gear, the hike begins here, with a superb view of the Roc Blanc. We park the car and start walking to the Restanque, with its stream, wooden bridge, picnic tables… and the horses in summer pasture welcoming us. “It’s so beautiful, Mum, let’s eat here!” begs Théo, “It’s a bit early to eat, we’ll have lunch by thepond“.

A pond just for us

Happiness

After a fairly flat start, we tackled a short ladder a few metres long, and the “are we there yet? The children are back on their feet and scampering around looking for the perfect spot for a picnic. After lunch, everyone has their own activity: nap, cool off in the water, make a house for the rabbits…

Already back

It goes by too fast!

But already it’s time to leave again… Back to Narbonne after a nice interlude, “we’ll be back, won’t we?

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Preparing your getaway

Hiking
Lodgings
Places to visit

What if we came back?

The Pyrénées Ariègeoises experience

Ariege's little extras

The Ariege Pyrenees, your oxygen bubble!

Looking for unspoilt nature, the great outdoors and white water?
In winter, ski, snowboard, skating, snowshoeing, sledging and dog sledding at Ax 3 Domaines, Beille, Ascou and le Chioula, Mijanés and Goulier...

In summer, hiking, mountain biking, paragliding or canyoning...

And all year round, enjoy the benefits of the thermal waters at Ax-les-Thermes, Ussat-les-Bains or the Bains du Couloubret.
And don't miss the Grotte de Niaux and the Parc de la Préhistoire.

Not forgetting the history of our mountains and their heritage, pastoralism and local produce!

Book your next mountain vacation!