TOURIST SITES ARIÈGE
THE MAS D'AZIL CAVE
The Mas-d’Azil cave, a geological curiosity and a prehistoric giant! Let yourself be carried away by the magic of the place… The immensity of its cavities, the modern lighting and the prehistoric remains it contains are all marvels that we invite you to discover!
Your visit takes place in three stages: Upon arrival, the interpretation center allows you to discover the lives of the first humans who occupied the site. Then, set off on a 1-hour guided tour that will bring the archaeologists' excavations to life through their discoveries.
THE BEDEILHAC CAVE
Come with your family to discover the giant! An extraordinary underground landscape with its immense chambers, spectacular concretions dating back millions of years, and incredible prehistoric remains!
During the 1.5-hour guided tour, go on a journey to meet Cro-Magnon who, 16,000 years ago, decorated the cave using various techniques, as astonishing as they are rare, such as painting, engraving or clay modeling... He even left his handprint!
THE NIAUX CAVE
With the emotion of an explorer and by the light of a lamp, walk in the footsteps of the Cro-Magnons: you have a date with a part of your History. The Niaux Cave is unique and this is not a false promise.
The 1-hour 45-minute guided tour allows you to admire, like nowhere else, the authentic paintings of our ancestors, concentrated in the Black Room. Here, there are no facsimiles, but superb animal paintings associated with enigmatic symbols that transport you to distant times for a sacred adventure.
PREHISTORY PARK
Travel back in time to the heart of the daily life of the Cro-Magnons... Walk in the footsteps of prehistoric man for a day! During the workshops, you will learn how to hunt, knead flint, light a fire like 16,000 years ago, excavate like an archaeologist or even paint on the walls of a cave that is larger than life!
The Grand Atelier, a 2,500 m² museum space, will introduce you to the art of prehistory through films, objects, and life-size replicas such as the reproduction of the Salon Noir of the Niaux cave, the “Niaux Interdit” and the Marsoulas cave. Allow 3 to 4 hours for your visit to fully enjoy it!
THE CASTLE OF FOIX
Welcome to the 14th century! During your visit, discover a fun and interactive departmental museum allowing you to witness the lives of the Counts of Foix and their wives. As a bonus, if you are a gamer and enjoy investigating, book your Escape Game and set off in search of the Cathar Treasure! Enter the castle where each room awaits you with reconstructed period furniture: guard room, banquet hall, count's bedroom...
The exteriors are not to be outdone, wander through the workshops where the guides await you to show you medieval weapons, stone cutting, blacksmithing, and even war and construction machines! Plan on spending an average of 4 hours to fully enjoy the site.
BISHOPS' PALACE
A superb showcase for the collections of the Ariège Departmental Museum, the Bishops' Palace overlooks the town of Saint-Lizier. From the terraces, an exceptional view of the Pyrenees mountain range is offered to the contemplative gaze of the visitor. A visit to the Bishops' Palace, which has served as a bishopric, a prison, and even an insane asylum, will reveal the history of the Couserans and the evolution of the site thanks to its modern museography!
Discover the monetary treasury and its 13,000 coins, the models and interactive displays, the psychiatric history of the site, and the new objects brought out of storage for the occasion. Continue the tour in the Notre-Dame-de-la-Sède Cathedral. Admire the superb Renaissance paintings. You'll then understand its nickname, the "Sistine Chapel of Ariège."
MOUNTANEÔ
A wonderful playground and place to recharge your batteries, the Ariège Pyrenees have many surprises in store... Mountaneô is a museum space that invites you to take a new look at the mountains and let your senses guide you through different games to enjoy a fun, immersive and interactive experience!
TALCANEÔ
The world's largest open-air talc quarry awaits you in Ariège, in the heart of the Pyrenees! Visit the brand-new Luzenac talc museum and visit the Trimouns quarry in person! A must-see and unique site in France, you can visit to discover all the secrets of the softest and most tender rock on our planet.
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