Isolated cabin in a field with sheep and mountains in the backgroundA wooden cabin stands in the middle of a grassy field, with sheep scattered around. In the background, imposing mountains rise towards a clear blue sky. The scene is peaceful and natural, with dominant shades of green and blue.
©A rustic cabin in the middle of a lush green field, surrounded by sheep and majestic mountains.|STEPHANEMEURISSE

Big vacations in Beille

The Ariege Pyrenees with your family
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  3. Family outing on the Plateau de Beille

The Plateau de Beille, at an altitude of 1800 m, is a must-see in the Ariège region, summer and winter alike… The big mountain show for the whole family! There’s something for everyone: a return to nature, free-roaming walks, village fiestas, angling and, for cycling enthusiasts, record-breaking rides! All in all, a very full vacation. What better way to make memories!

Getting there

Wake-up call for Aston

Vacations in Beille

Two weeks. Two whole weeks of vacation. We’ve rented a magnificent chalet with swimming pool at Les Granges de Léo. Facing the Aston mountains, I drink my coffee outside as if it were the first morning of my life, not of my vacation.

Estelle storms out of the little girls’ room: “Stéphane, Inès can’t find her hat, have you seen it?” Well, I get up and we’re off to spend the day in Beille. The sun’s beating down, so it’s sun cream and hats for everyone.

The three of them have revolutionized their bedroom, but hey, it’s vacation, right? Time to prepare the picnic, gather my escabot (a local name for a small family herd) and off we go!

Wooden cabin surrounded by greenery and yellow flowersA wooden cabin with a tiled roof is situated in a well-maintained garden. Surrounding the cabin are bushes, trees, and yellow flowers. In the background, there are mountains covered with vegetation.
©A wooden cabin nestled in a mountainous natural setting.
Wooden cabin with terrace and well-maintained gardenA wooden cabin with a wooden terrace and a well-maintained garden. The cabin has a red door and windows. There are plants and trees around the cabin. In the background, you can see other similar cabins and mountains.
©A warm and inviting wooden cabin, perfect for a getaway in the great outdoors.

    The mountain show

    Between dogs and horses

    Even if you’re not going to walk, the drive up is worth the trip alone. And the higher you go, the more it’s worth it. I’ve been there before, but as soon as I step out of the car, I know I’m going to be speechless. The 360° view, the feeling of being on an island, the crests of the Pyrenees, the air of altitude – 1,800 meters: it’s hard to describe, it’s beautiful and grandiose all at once.

    “Papou, the horses!” exclaims Lilou. Opposite us, some fifteen black Mérenshorses, a local breed. My daughter says they’re magical. Here, he’s the ” Black Prince of the Pyrenees “.

    Zoé runs ahead of us to the nearby Angaka base. In the hooked pines, Isabelle and Sam lead summer and winter activities with their magnificent Nordic dogs.

    Even without a lot of walking, Beille is the big mountain show. We follow the trail and the girls make their goats on the parallel path in the grass, among the summer flowers.

    It’s almost noon, Estelle is lying down in the sun, and I’m laying out our picnic in the shade of the pines. I think that when she grows up, she’ll remember this taste of our vacation. Estelle opens her eyes and smiles at me. She’s slept a little, her cheeks are sun-kissed and so are her eyes. Now that’s Ariège! After a few days, the pressure is finally off, and it feels good.

    A herd of black horses walking on a dirt path in a green meadow with mountains in the backgroundA herd of black horses walks on a dirt path in a green meadow. The mountains in the background are covered with forests and snow-capped peaks. The sky is slightly cloudy, and pink flowers are visible in the foreground.
    ©The horses enjoy the wild nature and mountainous landscapes.|Charles RIPON - ADT 09
    Stone cabin with green roof and black horse in a fieldA stone cabin with a green roof is situated in a grassy field. A black horse grazes nearby. In the background, mountains and trees are visible under a clear sky.
    ©A black horse grazes near a stone cabin with a green roof, at the foot of the mountains.|STEPHANE MEURISSE
    A horse-drawn carriage pulled by two horses with three people on board on a dirt path in the mountainsA horse-drawn carriage is on a dirt path in the mountains. Three people, including two children and an adult, are seated in the carriage. The adult is driving the horses. The landscape is lush with trees and mountains in the background under a clear blue sky.
    ©A family enjoys a horse-drawn carriage ride through the mountainous landscapes.
    Sled dogs lined up on a mountain trailSeveral sled dogs are lined up on a mountain trail. They are wearing harnesses and appear ready for a hike. In the background, there are snow-capped mountains under a clear blue sky.
    ©Sled dogs patiently wait their turn for a mountain hike.

      In the land of happy cows

      We’ve been on the road for 20 minutes when Pyrenean songs resound above the path, those of Philippe and Jason Lacube. They raise Gascony cows and show off the Plateau de Beille in a walk followed by a big barbecue. We did it 2 years ago, and a family came for the 17th time!

      In less than 20 minutes we’re back at the parking lot. Some Spanish cyclists are getting ready for the descent. I ask them if the climb wasn’t too hard, while saluting their courage. Pedro, the group leader, explains that it’s one of the most difficult climbs in the Ariège region, well known as a Tour de France stage, with its 15.8 km ascent and average gradient of 7.9%!

      Herd of white horned cows walking in a green field in the mountainsA herd of white horned cows walks in a lush green field in the mountains. Snow-capped peaks are visible in the background under a cloudy sky.
      ©Cows graze peacefully in the mountainous pastures.
      Herd of cows in a field with mountains in the backgroundA herd of cows of various colors grazes in a grassy field. In the background, imposing mountains rise under a clear blue sky. The scene is peaceful and natural, with scattered trees around the field.
      ©Cows graze peacefully in a field under a clear sky.|STEPHANEMEURISSE
      Isolated cabin in a green field with sheep and mountains in the backgroundA wooden cabin stands in the middle of a lush green field, with sheep scattered around. In the background, imposing mountains rise towards the clear blue sky. The landscape is serene and peaceful, with dense vegetation and mountain peaks visible in the distance.
      ©A solitary cabin in the middle of a lush green field, surrounded by sheep and majestic mountains.|STEPHANE MEURISSE
      Two cyclists in sportswear on a mountain roadTwo cyclists in red and white sportswear are riding on a mountain road. They are equipped with helmets and sunglasses. The road is winding and surrounded by trees and mountains in the background. The sky is clear and the weather is sunny.
      ©Two cyclists enjoy a sunny day in the mountains.|STEPHANE MEURISSE
      Cyclists competing on a winding mountain roadA group of cyclists is participating in a race on a winding mountain road. The cyclists are spread out over several turns, some in the lead, others negotiating the curves. The road is bordered by greenery and a few trees. The cyclists are wearing colorful outfits and safety helmets.
      ©Cyclists race along the winding mountain roads.

        Trout fishing

        Halfway there, I call my friend Yann, who’s meeting me atLesCabannes fishing pond with his twins Timéo and Nolan. This afternoon, the men take care of the grown-ups. Both from Nantes, we had to meet here two years ago! Since then, we’ve been seeing each other in Nantes, and in the summer, we manage to spend at least a few days holidaying together in Ariège.

        Five minutes later, our 4 anglers are on top form and so are we, sitting in the shade with a cold drink. Before leaving, I drop in on Christophe at his store “le petit plateau“ to rent some electric mountain bikes for our ride tomorrow.

        Fête au village

        Sharing and encounters

        Back at the chalet, Yann has grilled the trout on the barbecue and it’s getting dark when the kids remind us that tonight is the village fête. It’s amazing how a party in such a small village can attract so many people. Here, families invite each other to eat, then go to the party together, a bit like us in the end!

        The refreshment bar, the music, one or two attractions that, in Nantes, wouldn’t move the crowds. But here, it’s different. It’s the South, and people like to chat, go out and have a drink. Pedro and his gang are here too, this time without bikes. He’s from Barcelona, and has been training with his club in Beille for years. A toast to us and to Plateau de Beille!

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          A successful vacation

          Always more

          Experiences in the Ariege Pyrenees
          Snowshoeing in Chioula
          Family vacations in the snow
          My anti-burn-out cure at Ussat-les-Bains
          Prehistory in love
          Immersion in the mountain spirit
          A day of canyoning with friends
          Night in a forest gîte
          Our few days in a motorhome in Ariège
          Skiing in the fir trees at Ax 3 Domaines
          Nature immersion in Orlu
          Fishing in the Ariege Pyrenees
          I’m arriving by train for a snow weekend in the mountains
          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!