Le Mas-D'azil: Holiday apartments and houses

Culture and history

The Grotte du Mas-d’Azil is an archaeological site and decorated cave; its monumental entrance is 70 metres high. The cave also gave its name to a prehistoric period, the Azilian.

In the centre of Le Mas-d’Azil is the Musée de la Préhistoire. Since 17 September 2003, it has held the designation “Musée de France” within the meaning of French heritage legislation and houses remarkable artefacts from the Grotte du Mas-d’Azil. The visit to the cave begins at the interpretation centre and is followed by a one-hour guided tour.

The Church of Saint Etienne is also part of the local landscape: it has a distinctive octagonal bell tower with a bulbous roof. Caza d’Oro is an international centre for contemporary art and an artists’ residency in Le Mas-d’Azil. It hosts changing or permanent exhibitions throughout the year.

The Musée de l’Affabuloscope presents hundreds of surrealist machines. Its exhibition extends over 1,500 m² across three levels; the visit also includes a bookshop and tea room. At the Musée-Parc Xploria, visitors can touch real fossils, and excavation workshops are also offered there.

Nature

The dry-stone structures of Le Mas-d’Azil are located in a limestone zone in the Plantaurel Massif. This zone is designated as a Natura 2000 site to protect dry grasslands rich in orchids and other Mediterranean-type plants.

Hiking

The GR78 passes through the centre of Le Mas-d’Azil. The hike to the Dolmen du Cap Del Pouech is an easy 3-km loop from Le Mas-d’Azil and takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. It offers views of the village of Le Mas-d’Azil and the Pyrenees mountain range.

There are seven dolmens at Brillaud in Le Mas-d’Azil; three of them are located along a hiking trail at Cap del Pouech. The large loop connecting the three dolmens runs around the Natura 2000 site of the Quères du Mas-d’Azil. The Le chemin de Pierre jusqu'à la Croix trail leads to the restored Cabane de Baudet.

Events

The annual Fête de la figue is a weekend-long arts, crafts and food market showcasing local know-how.

Anyone wishing to rent a holiday apartment in Le Mas-d’Azil can add this destination directly to their travel plans.

Other places: Montaut, Siguer, Massat, Camon, Savignac-les-Ormeaux, Le Carlaret, Capoulet-et-Junac, Miglos

To the higher-level travel overview: Ariège.