Big vacations in Beille

The Ariege Pyrenees with your family

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!

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.

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%!

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.

Go fishing

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

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Experiences in the Ariege Pyrenees

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!