Auzat: Holiday Apartments and Houses

Le Barri – Maison des Patrimoines in Auzat is an interpretation centre dedicated to the human impact on the mountain environment.

Culture

The Maison des Patrimoines presents exhibitions on hydropower, mining, archaeological excavations, and the fauna and flora of the Vicdessos Valley. It also offers themed guided tours and educational workshops, including on archaeology and the region’s fauna and flora.

History

The Orris du Carla form a remarkably well-preserved group of dry-stone shepherds’ huts. The first orris date back to the Bronze Age; they were used until the beginning of the 20th century. The Orris du Carla are located a few dozen metres from the Carla car park, beyond the Soulcem dam.

The Château de Montréal-de-Sos in the hamlet of Olbier served as a barracks for the Counts of Foix between the 12th and 15th centuries. Archaeological excavations have been taking place at the Château de Montréal-de-Sos since 2000.

The Château de Montréal-de-Sos is freely accessible year-round; access requires an approximately 15-minute walk along a rocky path. There is an information board with views over the upper Vicdessos Valley.

Nature

The Natura 2000 site “mont Ceint, mont Béas, tourbière de Bernadouze” extends across part of Auzat. The Soulcem Valley in Auzat is an exceptional natural site, with a panorama from the dam.

Anyone planning a stay in Auzat may wish to rent a holiday apartment.

Hiking and mountain sports

The Circuit des Orris is a hiking trail that passes around former shepherds’ shelters. It reaches Étang de Roumazet at an altitude of 2,163 m and Étang de la Soucarrane at 2,292 m. It also leads to a footbridge at the foot of the Labinas waterfalls.

Numerous hikes lead from the Soulcem Valley to border peaks and high-altitude mountain lakes. The Via ferrata du Vicdessos offers people of all backgrounds an adventure sports activity in the landscape of the Regional Nature Park.

The climbing areas of Auzat include 135 routes and 143 pitches at the Le Far and Montcalm climbing crags.

Other destinations: Aulos, Betchat, Saverdun, Niaux, Sainte-Croix-Volvestre, Varilhes, Pailhès, Allières

For the higher-level travel overview: Ariège.