PLACES TO VISIT / THINGS TO DO

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You have come to www.manzac.com, a website for three traditional, luxury self-catering holiday "gites" in the truly spectacular, peaceful and relaxing countryside of the Ariege in SW France.

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While the lure of the swimming pool and a relaxing time at Manzac d'en Bas may be all that you are looking for during your holiday, the Ariege has got an excellent variety of really interesting places to visit and things to do. The examples below are just a selection of some of the opportunities to explore the region and the foothills of the Pyrenees (within 1.5 hours drive)

Each gite is equipped with a comprehensive information folder with brochures for all the places to visit and things to do highlighted on this web page as well as many other possibilities to make your holiday at Manzac d'en Bas and in the Ariege very special. We would be delighted to give you further advice based on our experience of these excursions and to provide recommendations for exploring the Ariege, should you want it.

LOCAL MARKETS

We are extremely lucky to be able to enjoy, and to complete a great deal of our shopping from local markets. All of them are different, both in character and produce available, and the days of the week on which they take place. They are well worth visiting, if only to experience these towns and villages when they are at their busiest and best, to enjoy this important part of French life in the Ariege, as well as to stock up on fresh fruit and vegetables and other provisions.

Local markets thrive in this gastronomic region of France selling a huge variety of fresh and organic produce. You'll find locally made honey, traditionally baked bread in wood ovens, meat and cheese as well as a huge range of seasonal fruit and vegetables.

CATHAR CASTLES

This area is also well known for its mediaeval Cathar castles. The Cathar, a religious group, often built their castles on isolated hilltop sites to avoid persecution. The buildings, though now somewhat ruined, make spectacular places to visit and take a picnic. The climb to the top (not as hard as it looks!) is rewarded with panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.

LIMESTONE CAVES

Riviere Souterraine de Labouiche and The Grotte du Mas d'Azil

The Ariege has many ancient caves, prehistoric cave paintings and artefacts.

Riviere Souterraine de Labouiche is the longest navigable subterranean river in Europe. The visit consists of a barge trip lasting one and a quarter hours, along 1.5km of the river, 60m underground, to admire its stalactites and stalagmites. A really different experience which is ideal for the times when the weather isn't so good!

At nearby Mas D'Azil, the road takes you through a huge 2-million-year-old cave formed by the river that runs through it. You can explore it further with a guided tour or bungey jump from the top of the mouth of the cave.

Grotte du Lombrives and Niaux

The Grotte de Lombrives limestone cave network is the largest in Europe. It is possible to go on a guided tour of part of the cave network which includes one section called La Cathedrale, whose volume is the same as the interior of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Another section called Les 1000 colonnes has an excellent selection of stalagtites, stalagmites and columns to see. During the summer, musical concerts are held within the cave to take advantage of the unique accoustics which exist here.

Some rare examples of cave engravings and paintings can be found in Grotte Bedeilhac and Grotte de Niaux, along with many archaeological findings in nearby Grotte de la Vache.

EXCURSIONS

Les Aigles (Eagles) du Chateau de Lordat

A Bird of Prey sanctuary, based in an ancient Cathar Chateau of Lordat, 1000m high, has 35 species including Eagles, Falcons, Kites, Owls and Vultures. During a breathtaking and synchronised display, the birds fly freely over the spectacular Ariege valley - and sometimes brush the tops of the audiences' heads. The falconer is very experienced and enthusiastic and builds a good rapport with his audience to provide a memorable day out. The chateau is open between April and November and includes three displays a day in July and August.

Click here for the website for the Eagles of Lordat

Click here to see YouTube video of the Eagles of Lordat

Parc Prehistoric

For an opportunity to see demonstrations of how ancient settlers fashioned tools, hunted, built shelters and clothed themselves, a visit to the Parc de la Prehistoire in the stunning countryside of the foothills of the Pyrenees is worth a visit. It is also possible to practise throwing spears at animal targets and create your own cave paintings - great for children. The 13 hectare park also has a very good value / good quality restaurant, as well as an extensive picnic area.

Click here for YouTube video of Le Parc Prehistoire

Cite de L'Espace

On the east side of Toulouse, about a hour from Manzac d'en Bas, is the impressive Cite de L'Espace, an excellent theme park celebrating France's space industry which is based in Toulouse. There are some excellent displays including a copy of the Russian Mia Space Station and a life size version of the 53m-high Ariane Rocket. Perhaps the highlight of a day at Cite de L'Espace are two excellent films depicting the exploration of space - one in an IMAX 3D cinema and one in the planetarium with hemispheric screen. Cite de L'Espace has two good, efficient restaurants a cafe and children's playground.

Website for Space Park near Toulouse

Pic du Midi Observatory

If Cite de L'Espace has caught your imagination, or you already have an interest in the stars and planets, there are local observatories open sporadically. Alternatively, you could visit Le Pic du Midi in the Pyrenees, which houses the most powerful telescope in France. The Pic du Midi, is about 1.5 hours drive from Manzac with a short cable car ride at the end to take you up to nearly 2,877m. From the top terrace, you can see over 300 kms of mountain tops along the Pyrenees, the plains of 'le grand Sud' up to the first contours of the Massif Central

Website for Pic du Midi

Les Papillons d'Amarante (Butterfly Farm)

Set in beautiful surroundings and with a beautiful garden, a trip to this butterfly farm is a peaceful and relaxing day out in which to see some exotic and native butterflies. A trip to the butterfly farm, which is over a hour from Manzac, could be incorporated into a visit to one of the Cathar Castles; Montsegur, Roquefixade or Puivert, where one can bathe in the nearby lake.

Website for Butterfly Sanctuary

La Ferme des Reptiles

About 30 minutes from Manzac, near the road from Foix to St Girons, is a reptile farm with a quite extraordinary assortment of snakes (150 species), tortoises, iguanas and other things scaley! The owner of the farm is a real enthusiast and provides an excellent demonstration, including the chance to handle some of the snakes, if you feel the urge?

Website for Reptile Farm

THE CITY OF TOULOUSE

Despite the fact that Manzac d'en bas is set in deep in the countryside, Toulouse is only a 50 minute drive away. It has all the allure of an elegant historic city with the added beauty of the River Garonne and the Canal du Midi that pass through it. But it is far from just an old relic. As a large university town and home to many new technology and aerospace companies (including the Airbus A380 Super Jumbo), it is one of France's fastest growing cities. Here you'll find a thriving cultural, music and arts scene which includes a lively summer festival, as well as regular ballet, opera and concerts.

Click on www.toulouse.fr for access to the Toulouse website including web links to Theatre National de Toulouse, Theatre du Capitole (Opera and Ballet), Toulouse and Orchestra National du Capitole de Toulouse

www.toulouse.fr

Parc Zoologique / African Safari

Le Parc Zoologique / African Safari is on the outskirts of Toulouse and just over an hour from Manzac. While zoos may not be everyone's cup of tea, this small zoo has a 2km game drive, as well as an interesting selection of animals, especially big cats (tigers, leopards, jaguars, lion) but also hippos, rhinos and wolves that are housed in a variety of enclosures. The short seal show is popular with children. You're advised to take a picnic as the cafe has a very limited range of drinks and snacks.

Website for Parc Zoologique near Toulouse

Wolf Park

La Maison des Loups is about 1.5 hours drive from Manzac and a good excursion, especially for small children. The wolves are not especially spectacular, but are worth seeing from excellent viewing platforms at feeding time. The real attraction of this park is that it is set in beautiful country in the Pyrenean foothills with wonderful beech trees. There is a playground/picnic area and a couple of excellent nature trails to follow - animal footprints and bird silhouettes, all of which are fun for younger children. There is a waterfall just beside the entrance to the park, which also borders the Orlu National Fauna Park.

Website for Wolf Park

Chateau et Parc de Merville

About 20 kilometres north of Toulouse (1.25 hours from Manzac) is Le Chateau et Parc de Merville. This a great location for people of all ages. This park is a unique example of an 18C garden and the box tree maze is the largest in Europe covering 4 hectares with 6 km of alleys. The chateau is spectacularly beautiful inside and out, in a great setting overlooking the River Garonne and this together with magnificent gardens makes for a great day out.

Website for Chateau de Merville

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