IN THE SURROUNDING AREA

Our natural heritage:   In the Ax valleys every footpath invites you to explore the unspoilt natural habitat.  The flowers are wonderful and the animals remarkable.  Certain sites are accessible, but are protected nature reserves, and others have been set out for sporting or leisure activities.

Recommended visits

• The talc quarry of Trimouns one of the biggest in the world.
• The "Grotte de Lombrives" fascinating and beautiful, the biggest underground cave in Europe. 
• "La Maison les Loups" : see the wolves at liberty in parkland in a nature reserve.
• The eagles of the "Chateau de Lordat" : see the birds of prey in action and discover the history of this feudal Chateau.
• "Le Parc Akrobranch" : 100% adventure, 100% in the natural environment with circuits adapted for all the family.
• ‘Le Parc Préhistoire’ in the footsteps of the ‘Magdaléniens’ come and discover, learn, relax and enjoy yourself with your friends or family.   
• La Grotte de Niaux’ is a cave system celebrated for its remarkably preserved prehistoric drawings.
• ‘La Grotte de la Vache’ come and see, in this cave, the daily life of the prehistoric ‘Magdalenian’ hunters their tools, their weapons, their inventions and their art.
• La Grotte de Bédeilhac’ is a cave in which there is an unusual and little known aspect of prehistory:   paintings, engravings, drawings and unique bas-relief constructed in clay.

Mountain sports




• Hiking : More than 450 Km of marked pathways cross our mountains just up to the Andorran border. 
• The Ax valleys offer the greatest variety of landscape.Climbing Ever since the first pioneers conquered ‘la Dent d’Orlu’ the Ax valleys have attracted climbers from all over the world.
•   Caving : An unknown world awaits you.  Discover caves and chasms sectioned for their interest and their variety.
• Riding : The horses of Mérens await you.  Ride and discover the countryside at the same time.  But also Paragliding, canoeing and kayaking, le Dévalkart, la via fereata, canyoning and fishing.
• Ax les Thermes:   the Casino, the skating rink, the tennis courts, its cinema, the mini-golf etc.   A spa relaxation centre with a roman baths theme will be open at the end of 2008