Motorhome parked on the side of a mountain road with bicycles at the backA white motorhome is parked on the side of a mountain road. Two bicycles are attached to the back of the vehicle. The road is winding and surrounded by dense vegetation. The sky is clear with a few scattered clouds.
©A motorhome explores the winding roads of the countryside, offering unparalleled freedom.|DR OTPA

A few days in a motorhome in Ariège

A colorful road trip!
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Heading for the Ariege Pyrenees

Today it’s decided! After seeing it on TV again, we’re taking the camper van to the Ariege Pyrenees!

My husband has often talked to me about these passes, he who loves cycling so much and has watched a lot of the Tour de France. So off we went, on a whim, because that’s what motorhoming is all about! Our daughter will be joining us on site with her van and her little family, and we’ll be hiking and sightseeing while the men try out the Tour de France passes.
Arrived on site, we chose to follow the itinerary of the most beautiful landscapes in the Ariege Pyrenees, available on the tourist office website. Well, well, well! We weren’t disappointed. It’s true that we’d left in a bit of a hurry, but thanks to the itineraries “in the heart of history” and “the most beautiful landscapes of the Ariege Pyrenees”, we know where to sleep, where to eat and above all what to do with our days!

Click on the photo to view it better.
Realized by Chloé RIDRAY, intern at the Tourist Office in 2022.

Accessible routes
Map of motorhome accessible routes in Ax-les-ThermesDetailed map of motorhome accessible routes in Ax-les-Thermes. The routes are color-coded to indicate the level of accessibility. Parking areas, service areas, and points of interest are marked. Parking is prohibited from 18h00 to 06h00 throughout the city.
©Discover the motorhome accessible routes in Ax-les-Thermes.
Map of accessible routes for campervans in Tarascon-sur-AriègeDetailed map of accessible routes for campervans in Tarascon-sur-Ariège. The routes are color-coded: green for easily accessible roads, yellow for roads accessible with caution, and red for inaccessible roads. The map includes symbols for service areas, parking lots, train stations, campsites, bridges, and tourist offices. The text 'PYRÉNÉES ARIÉGEOISES' and 'PLAN DE VILLE de Tarascon-sur-Ariège' are visible.
©Discover the accessible routes for campervans in Tarascon-sur-Ariège.
Map of the Ariège Pyrenees showing accessible routes for campervansDetailed map of the Ariège Pyrenees indicating the routes accessible by campervan. The routes are color-coded: green for easily accessible, yellow for accessible with caution, and red for narrow roads. The map includes points of interest, service stations, and camping areas. Heights and distances are also indicated for each route.
©Discover the routes in the Ariège Pyrenees accessible with your campervan.
Map of the Ariège Pyrenees showing campervan accessible roadsDetailed map of the Ariège Pyrenees indicating the roads accessible by campervan. The roads are color-coded: green for easily accessible roads, yellow for roads accessible with caution, and red for difficult roads. The map includes information on maximum heights and vehicle weights. The Bonairen sector is highlighted with specifications for campervans.
©Discover the roads in the Ariège Pyrenees accessible with your campervan.
Map of the Ariège Pyrenees showing roads accessible to campervansMap of the Ariège Pyrenees indicating roads accessible to campervans. The roads are color-coded: green for easily accessible, yellow for accessible with caution, and red for not accessible. Specific points and areas are marked to indicate restrictions or particular characteristics of the roads.
©Discover the roads in the Ariège Pyrenees accessible with your campervan.
Map of the Ariège Pyrenees showing the roads accessible to motorhomesDetailed map of the Ariège Pyrenees indicating the roads accessible to motorhomes. The roads are color-coded: green for easily accessible roads, yellow for roads accessible with caution, and red for roads not recommended. Points of interest and areas to avoid are also marked.
©Discover the motorhome accessible roads in the Ariège Pyrenees.
Map of accessible routes for motorhomes in the Ariège PyreneesMap illustrating the accessible routes for motorhomes in the Ariège Pyrenees. The routes are color-coded according to their accessibility. The sector towards Andorra is highlighted. The recommended dimensions for a motorhome are indicated: 3 m high, 7.5 m long, 2.5 m wide and a GVW of less than 3.5 T. The legend explains the color codes: green for easily accessible, yellow for accessible with caution, and red for not recommended.
©Discover the accessible routes for motorhomes in the Ariège Pyrenees.
Map of the Ariège Pyrenees showing camper van accessible roadsDetailed map of the Ariège Pyrenees indicating camper van accessible roads. The roads are color-coded: green for easily accessible, yellow for accessible with caution, and red for winter-closed roads. The map includes symbols for points of interest and access restrictions.
©Discover the camper van accessible roads in the Ariège Pyrenees|DR OTPA

    Stroll through Tarascon-sur-Ariège and discover the Prehistory Park

    On our first day there, we discovered this beautiful mountain village.
    We stopped to do the discovery itinerary of the old town then walked to the magnificent Arnave chapel where we could see Tarascon and its valley from an unforgettable vantage point and had a picnic in front of this view. In the afternoon, we took the children to the Parc de la Préhistoire, where they had a great time. As they study prehistory at school, they’ll have plenty to tell their teacher! They even got to paint on the walls of a cave, which made us laugh a lot.
    With the camper van it’s practical, we know which roads to take thanks to the various road accessibility maps.
    As indicated on the itineraries, we parked the motorhome and the van in the parking lots provided, it’s much quicker and easier than looking for a spot.
    In the evening, we decided to go and park as a family at the Val-de-Sos motorhome park, we loved parking by the river, it was cool and so relaxing.

    Town with a river running through the center and mountains in the backgroundView of a charming town with a river running through the center. The buildings are mostly of traditional style, with red-tiled roofs. In the background, imposing mountains rise under a clear blue sky. The river is lined with trees and crosses the town via a stone bridge.
    ©A peaceful town surrounded by nature, with a river meandering through the buildings.

      The Vicdessos Valley

      The next day, we decided to cool off first thing in the morning at the Artigue waterfalls.
      This hike is suitable for children, and is very enjoyable. On the way back down, we ate in Auzat at one of the restaurants recommended on the itinerary.
      In the afternoon, we stayed in the village of Val-de-Sos to visit it, and went on to discover the surrounding villages on the roads recommended for our size. We were lucky that the road to the pond at Soulcem was open, so we had a great time at the end of the afternoon!
      In the evening, we headed for the village of Les Cabannes. With our camper van, we set up at the village’s motorhome area, and my daughter with her van at the campsite, for the kids.

      Wooden signpost with multiple directions in a mountainous landscapeA wooden signpost with multiple directions is placed on a rocky terrain. In the background, majestic mountains with snow-capped peaks and lush green valleys stretch under a partially cloudy sky.
      ©A wooden signpost stands in the midst of an impressive mountainous landscape.

        Cani-rando on the Plateau de Beille

        As luck would have it, we were in Les Cabannes on a Sunday, so we were able to do the local market.
        After spending a morning walking around the village and eating at the farmer’s restaurant la maison Lacube, which offers many local dishes, we had the good idea to climb to Plateau de Beille.
        The boys got on their bikes and we waited for them at the top. A fan of the Ariegeoise cyclosportive, my husband wanted to try out this climb he’d heard so much about.
        While we waited for them, the kids watched the cows, and were very happy that they were right there, estivating in front of us.
        For the afternoon we booked a cani-rando. We really enjoyed walking with someone!

        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

          A walk with a view at the Ax 3 Domaines resort

          After sleeping at the Ax-les-Thermes motorhome park, we really enjoyed strolling through the streets of this village. We dipped our feet in the hot-water pools leave a wonderful souvenir for the kids! Even I’d never seen anything like it, and was pleasantly surprised.
          In the afternoon, we swapped our vehicles for the gondola and took to the skies at 1400m! Luckily, we were there during the school vacations, so the chairlift was also open and we were able to access the Saquet plateau at 2000m. In the evening, we returned to Ax-les-Thermes and, after a fine meal in a restaurant, stayed at the Wellness Sport Camping. The next day, the kids enjoyed the pool and we stayed a day longer than planned! We took the opportunity to see the marmots in the Orlu valley.

          Aerial view of green mountains with low clouds and a small lakeAerial view of green mountains with low clouds and a small lake. The peaks are partially covered with snow and hiking trails wind through the slopes. A small lake is visible at the foot of the mountains.
          ©Snow-capped peaks disappear into the clouds, offering a breathtaking view.

            Donezan village tour

            After a good day’s relaxation the day before, we hit the road early to get to Donezan. I drove the motorhome and we passed through the Aude as the road is a little narrow over the Col de Pailhères and we wanted to take our time. The boys climbed the Col de Pailhères and we met up in Mijanès! For the day, we set off on a tour of the villages. The walk took us through the village of Artigues, where we had lunch at Le Sapin Rouge, a delicious restaurant!
            We finished our walk, then returned to our camper vans and spent the night at Le Bosquet campsite.
            The next day, we headed back home. We all had a great time, the boys exceeded their cycling limits, we had a good walk and the kids have already decided to come back next year!

            Green valley with hills and trees under a clear blue skyThe photo shows a lush green valley with hills and trees under a clear blue sky. The hills are covered with dense and varied vegetation, with shades of green. The sky is clear with a few scattered clouds. The scene conveys a serene and natural atmosphere.
            ©A peaceful view of the countryside with lush green hills and a bright blue sky.

              More experiences

              Pyrenees
              Family getaway in Donezan
              Northern ambience at Beille
              Free to pedal in the Ariege Pyrenees
              I’ll be arriving by train for a mountain adventure
              Snowshoeing in Chioula
              Mountain biking and climbing day in Ariège
              My thermal water wellness day at Ax-les-Thermes
              Fishing in the Ariege Pyrenees
              Family vacations in the snow
              My anti-burn-out cure at Ussat-les-Bains
              I’m arriving by train for a snow weekend in the mountains
              Night in a forest gîte
              Ariège's little extras
              Book your mountain vacation,

              Book your mountain vacation for hiking in unspoilt natural surroundings, for outdoor and white-water activities, for visits to must-see tourist sites such as the Grotte de Niaux and the Parc de la Préhistoire... In winter, skiing, snowboarding, skating, snowshoeing, tobogganing and dog sledding are all on offer from Ax 3 Domaines to Beille, via Ascou and Le Chioula or Mijanés and Goulier... All year round, enjoy the benefits of thermal water for spa treatments at Ax-les-Thermes or Ussat-les-Bains, or relax at the Bains du Couloubret. The history and heritage of our mountains, pastoralism and local produce will add to your stay with unforgettable experiences... Don't miss the festivals and major events, and take advantage of the many activities for the whole family all year round... The Ariege Pyrenees, your bubble of oxygen destination!