Ariège is in the Midi-Pyrenees region of France. Midi Pyrenees is a little known area that stretches from Comminges in the west, to the Principality of Andorra in the South, and then borders the Aude and Rousillon in the East. It is a stunning area, well worth visiting for a huge variety of outdoor activities as well as sightseeing and exploring Cathar History. Neil Lands, author of 'History, People and Places in the French Pyrenees' 1980, wrote that Ariege was probably his favourite region in the whole Pyrenees, "mainly because it is full of little hidden valleys with those castles and towers which I happen to like very much". It remains generally very under-visited except for July and August when the French are on holiday and fairly under-populated, giving those who come here a great feeling of space and tranquility.
