Ariege Pyrenees Regional Nature Park

With 160 municipalities, a regional centre (Foix) and associated local authorities, the Natural Park covers half the area of the Ariège department. Although sparsely populated in its mountainous areas, it remains a dynamic region offering a wealth of opportunities, whether for living and working there (particularly by setting up your own business) or simply for enjoying yourself! In our mountains, some peaks reach 3,000 metres, such as Montcalm, and 2,800 metres for the iconic Mont Valier and its famous Arcouzan glacier. The area boasts remarkable biodiversity, some of it endemic, including forests and beautiful summer pastures—high-altitude grazing lands where flocks of sheep, cows and horses graze. The transhumance season offers a chance to meet farmers and their herds in a wonderfully festive atmosphere. The Park also comprises valleys, each with its own character; remote villages and lively little towns with bustling markets; limestone hillsides offering rich dry grasslands home to numerous species of orchids; and deciduous forests – in short, a mosaic of landscapes to discover in every season. The Regional Nature Park (PNR) and the Tourist Office do not cover the same geographical area. 34 out of 160 municipalities are part of both the PNR and the Tourist Office’s area of responsibility. The PNR’s activities span a wide range of fields, including nature tourism. The ‘Marque Valeurs Parc’ label demonstrates the commitment of local businesses to a