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We are running many guided walking tours and mini-breaks in the Pyrenees this year, based in the Parc Naturel Regional du Couserans, our beautiful region in the foothills of Mont Valier. There are miles of high mountain walks, woodland, lowland pastures, rivers and pretty stone villages. |
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| We are well situated to explore the Couserans as the village is at the mouth of three valleys: Bellongue, Biros and Bethmale. Spring starts in the lowlands in May, but in the mountainous regions it does not start until mid-June.After the snow has melted, the high mountains come alive with wild flowers, edible berries, mushrooms,birds, butterflies, roe deer and wild boar.
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Local walks, full board, 3 half days tutoring with local artist & 3 short walks. During this long weekend our guests will have the chance to explore some of the Couserans on foot at the beginning of spring, walking and painting in the three valleys that branch out from Castillon; Biros, Bellelongue, and Bethmale. On the saturday we will visit the famous St.Girons market a great place to soak up some local colour and paint/sketch. Our artist friend Aliénor Roullier will tutor the group during three days (9 till 12.30) during which time she will teach you new ways to draw and paint with her own special techniques. Students can carry on on their own in the afternoon or walk with jonathan depending on their mood.
There will be time for you to meet our friends, and to show you places that many people don't find as well as share our indepth knowledge of the area. The picnics and the evening meals will be prepared by us, a chance for you to discover some of Myriams culinary secrets with local Ariege recipies mixed with her special Greek and Spanish style. Our foods are all prepared with organic produce.
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Walking grade one -- Arrival & departures:Please note that guests should aim to arrive on thursday late afternoon and leave on sunday late afternoon.
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Non resident participant welcome, please contact us directly. |
This is our classic one week tour. A one center guided tour based at the Clos Enchanté. Included are 6 walks where we spend a full day in the hills with up to 5 hours walking and an average of 500 meters ascent in a day. We explore the many valleys, hills, and lakes in the Couserans. We are spoilt for choice as there are hundreds of wild and beautiful places to choose from. On a typical day we will do a short transfer to the start of the walk. We walk for three hours to a suitably beautiful picnic spot, eat lunch, and then walk for another couple of hours back to our vehicule. One the way we will enjoy the wonderful landscapes, admire the wildlife and flowers, and take the time to enjoy the experience of walking with a group in a wild and inspirational part of France. Meetings with the locals and visits to local craftsmen are part of the experience.For example we organise a meal with a shepherd, a visit to an artists house, and a meeting with a clog maker.
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For private bookings we can organise other departure dates, but there must be a minimum of 6 people.
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Walking grade two--  We walk for up to five hours a day (10 miles/14 km), ascending up to 500 metres. The terrain is varied. We walk on well-kept footpaths at a gentle, regular pace. The Cost: Telephone bookings (call + 33 5 61 04 64 47) can be made at any time but the best time to call is between 3pm and 7pm French time. We are one hour ahead of UK time. We are bonded by the French 'habilitation tourisme' scheme (No. HA 009 02 0003) which guarantees the security of the deposit and the advance payments made to book holidays with Jonathan's Tours. Price includes: Bed and breakfast for seven nights; lunches during the five walking days; seven evening meals at Le Clos Enchanté or in a local restaurant ; guiding and transport during the week; transfer to and from Toulouse airport (we do one transfer on the arrival and departure days, please check your arrival and departure times with us). Price does not include: Flight ticket; personal insurance; drinks; lunches on the arrival and departure days. The lunches and evening meals should cost between €20 and €35, including wine.
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ON REQUEST FOR ALREADY MADE UP GROUP(we suggest thursday to monday)
4 nights on full board basis
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This tour starts and ends at Castillon en Couserans at the Clos enchanté in Ariege .On the second day we drive over in to Spain where we stay in a small hotel in the village of Salardu, in the Val D'Aran. It is from here that we will do three varied walks in the surrounding area. One of the walks will be on the plateau de Beret, and the other two in the Aigue Tortes national park. The walking will be mainly on the Spanish side in the Val D'Aran which has some of the most spectacular scenery in the whole of the Pyrenees. The plateau de Beret is a 2000 meters high plateau with wild valleys, rich pine forest, and gushing rivers. In contrast the Aigues Tortes national park is a mountainous area with rich pine forest and numerous high mountain lakes. This tour will be led by both Jonathan and Philippe Caze. Philippe has been exploring this area for many years the walks we go on are the fruit of his experience in this region. We will learn much about the history and customs of this area which has for centuries been more a part of France than Spain, as it is here that they still speak Occitan. We will walk for most of the day with up to 500 meters of ascent in a day. The terrain will be on well maintained footpaths and some dirt roads. We walk at a regular and gentle pace. Lunch will be carried in our backpacks. Price includes: Price does not include: |
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This is one of the liveliest parts of the year in the Pyrenees; a time of fairs, festivals, concerts and parades.
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The high point of the week is the two-day 'Autrefois le Couserans' festival in the town of St Girons. The second day begins with a huge parade with antique tractors, men on horseback, dancers and others. We will take the opportunity to walk around the market, meeting local craftsmen and vendors. |
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Special aspect of the tour:
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Walking grade one --
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Non-walking partners welcome Price: €645 per person |
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This is the fourth year we have run this tour. We have chosen late August to invite you to explore the high Couserans. It is at this time of the year that the high mountains are at their best. The summer heat has gone and in the cooler, sunny days the mountains come back to life.
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Special aspect of the tour:
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Walking grade three -- |
