Population - 137,000   (1,067,000)

Area - 4,890 km²   (1,663)

Population density - 28    (642)

(comparative figs - Surrey UK)

Towns with over 3,000 people

Foix   9,109
Lavalanet   6,872
Mirepoix   3,061
Pamiers   13,417
Saint-Girons   6,254
Saverdun   3,589
Tarascon-sur-Ariege 3,446

Main town

Foix

670 miles - 10 hours - from Calais

What is it really like for holidays in Ariege

This is Pyrenean foothill country

Sparsely populated - in the warm south - clear clean fresh air - this really is perfect walking country

Ariege is worlds away from Europe's and France's centres of power

Tucked in under Andorra it is wild yet accessible country - streams & rivers - forests glades & caves

Caves here have been used by  prehistoric man - Cathars hiding from their oppressors and more recently world war II resistance fighters and pilots escaping to Spain

Must visit places

Niaux & Tarascon

For pre-historic caves and drawings

Roquefixade & Montsegur

Cathar castle ruins

Mirepoix

13th century fortified bastide - beautiful medieval arcaded square

Ariege Holidays - b&b

Ariege Holidays - cottages

Ariege Holidays - tourist info