The Region
The Ariège nestles in the central Pyrénées, between Toulouse, Spain and Andorra. Off the beaten track and away from the madding crowd, the Ariège is a place suited to those of you who like the simple things in life.
A region rich in history and biodiversity it remains one of the most unspoilt areas of France. It is an area of extraordinary natural beauty and tranquility and large parts of the region have been left untouched and untainted by human hands.
The varied topography makes the Ariège a cyclist’s nirvana. You’ll breath the cleanest air in the country as you ride up high-mountain passes, over rolling hills and along flat river valleys. The roads are quiet, the terrain is varied and the scenery is breathtaking.
If you’re here with a non-riding partner, staying on a self-catered basis or you fancy a day off two wheels, there are plenty of things to see and do to ensure everyone is kept entertained.
More below….
Food and Drink
No visit to Zero Neuf is complete without a visit to Brasserie du Quercorb. This independent craft brewery produces excellent unfiltered, fresh, clean, pure beer in the foothills of the Pyrénées.
We’ve got great restaurants in the area; Domaine Gayda in Brugairolles, Château de Camon in Camon, La Grinotheque in Saverdun & Solides in Toulouse to name a few.
We are a short drive from the excellent vineyards of Limoux and a little further afield, Corbières, Malpère and Fitou.
There are many artisans close-by making excellent ice cream, honey, cheese and soaps amongst other things.
Day Trips
Carcassonne, a world UNESCO site is an hour away and a must see. This walled city, a famous stronghold of the local Cathars during the Albigensian Crusades, is a spectacular sight.
The area is renowned for its wonderful medieval ‘bastide’ towns such as Mirepoix and Revel and picturesque villages such as Camon, famed for its roses, and the stunning mountain top village of Carla Bayle.
The city of Toulouse is under an hour away and it is one of our favourite places to visit; a cosmopolitan mix of narrow medieval streets, excellent restaurants & bars, top class rugby and football.
The prehistoric caves of Niaux and Bedeillac, numerous Cathar châteaux, including the amazing Montségur and the hot thermal springs of Ax-Les-Thermes are easily accessible from ZeroNeuf.
Other Activities
Relaxing
Spend time at Zero Neuf; lounge around the pool, read or snooze on a hammock, pull up a seat and grab a drink in the bar. Switch off.
Beaches / The Med
Zero Neuf is just over an hour from Narbonne and from here you can access a number of terrific spots along the Mediterranean coast; Collioure and Leucate are amongst our favourites.
Walking and Hiking
There is an abundance of walking and hiking on our doorstep and you’re only a short drive from the high mountains where marked trails lead to gorgeous glacial lakes and a huge array of wildlife. Etang de Lers, Etang de Soulcem and Plateau de Beille are amongst our favourites.
Watersports
If you can tear yourself away from the pool, you can enjoy wild swimming and kayaking on the L’Hers river as it passes by the bottom of our garden. The Ariège and Aude rivers also offer excellent kayaking as well as canyoning and white-water rafting and there are several lakes within an hour of Zero Neuf where you can windsurf, wakeboard and sail. There is top grade trout and salmon fishing on the Ariège River, along numerous mountain streams and on glacial lakes high in up in the Pyrénées. The season runs from March to September.
Skiing
Zero Neuf is open all year round and for winter sports enthusiasts, you are an hour from the ski slopes. You have several resorts to chose from but Ax-Les-Thermes is the largest and is our go-to station.