No time to be bored in Toulouse, the Pyrenees and Ariège!

Winter is over ! It's starting to give us ideas about seeing greenery, good weather, and sunshine... Going out on a terrace in a little sweater, enjoying a sunbath on the weekend... Come on, cheer up, it's almost spring!

In the meantime, we don't want to hear you say "Pffff I'm bored", because there is so much to do in our 3 departments: Hautes-Pyrénées, Haute-Garonne and Ariège ! We wish you all the happiness in the world at the end of winter and the beginning of spring and we are reaching out to you, if you are short of leisure ideas !!

Outdoor fun in the region

Rain, shine, or snow, there are always things to do.

The ski resorts of the Pyrenees

This season, the key word for outdoor activities is the mountains. You can go skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, mountain hiking... Start by choosing from the resorts we have listed. Which one will be your favorite? More family-oriented, like Saint-Lary ? Or Grand Tourmalet for a gigantic and magnificent ski area?

• We particularly like the Plateau de Beille resort for its originality. You can go cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, tobogganing with a beautiful trail, dog sledding, build an igloo... It's a change from the classic resorts!
• Don't miss out on going rafting. There are many rivers in the mountainous areas and it's a very fun and safe activity when properly supervised by professional teachers like the ones we offer.
• If you like hiking, you can go on an adventure alone. However, we recommend that you be very careful, as avalanches in the mountains and snow slides in the mid-mountains are very frequent with global warming! To safely conquer the peaks, do not neglect the importance of a guide. Experienced teams are there to take you to magical and magnificent secret spots. Summer and winter, the mountain guides offer activities suited to your skills, the climate and with the greatest respect for nature. Do not hesitate to contact Olivier, from La Maison du Randonneur in Saint-Lary, a lifelong resident of the region, his team knows the most beautiful winter hiking spots like the back of their hand.
• In spring and summer, when the snow melts, try canyoning for unforgettable moments of adrenaline and fun!

In town

In Tarbes, Lourdes, Foix and of course Toulouse, the grey weather is no obstacle to the many activities available to holidaymakers, at all times of the year. Did you know that the people of Toulouse are big fans of terraces, even at this time of year?!

• On the Tarbes side, don't miss a visit to the historic center, the shopping streets and the sumptuous gardens...
• Foix, with its feudal castle, is the nerve center of Ariège. If you're passing through, pick up some leaflets from the tourist offices to learn about the many hikes available around the city.
• On the Lourdes side, we offer you a tour to discover the Holy City, a major place of pilgrimage for centuries.
• In Toulouse (and Haute-Garonne in general), we have selected some great restaurants for a gourmet break between your travels!

In the beautiful pink city, the grayness is not a problem, the textured sky will even highlight the beauty of the brick buildings. You feel good there in all seasons, thanks to the shopping and picturesque streets of the city center, like the hyper center district of Capitole and Carmes.

To party, go to Saint-Cyprien and to see beautiful houses in a calm environment, go for a walk to Saint-Michel, Busca and Saint-Agne. If the city is covered by bus, metro and tram lines, we advise you to visit Toulouse on foot. With a good pair of sneakers, nothing will stop you!

Taste Gastronomy

Tututut! Very bad idea, think about your health! But how can we blame you, in such a beautiful region, with its gastronomic colors proudly carried like a banner?

Let's make a deal : you hike, ski or stroll around town for a few kilometers and in exchange, we'll give you some great food tips and some great little producers ?

First, let's find out about the wonders to be tasted in the Hautes Pyrénées, Arièges and Haute Garonne (and in Toulouse). Here, gastronomy is an art of living.

Toulouse sausage, Tarbais beans, cassoulet and of course duck (confit, breast, foie gras, pâté, etc.) are just a sample of the delights of the area. In Toulouse, it's the violet that takes pride of place (by the way, go and visit Trésors de Violette, right in the center, it's a good friend!).

In Ariège, fruit is given pride of place, with apple crumble, to be enjoyed in the region's restaurants but also at artisan bakers/pastry chefs.

You'll also want to try some of our region's cheeses : Bethmale, fresh cheeses made from sheep's milk, cow's milk, and more. You'll definitely bring back some canned goods from your trip. For a selection of producers, click here!

Enjoy the local wines

And to wash it all down, don't miss the wine tastings in the region. There are wine producers not to be missed. It's really nice, especially when it's gray, to visit the cellars, chat with the producers, these artisans like no other. They share their daily life between the love of the vine, its cultivation and transformation, aging until obtaining the precious beverage, known throughout the world: wine ! Don't miss out on visiting the craft breweries either, beer lovers will be delighted to understand the process of making these "malt teas" (this is what we call them to relieve the guilt...).

I'm on vacation with the children, what should I do?

Great! Kids love doing original things (we're not going to put Peppa Pig on them during the holidays, are we?). Take them to see the museums in Toulouse :

• The Toulouse Museum and its animals;
• The Quay of Knowledge for scientists;
• Aeroscopia for airplane enthusiasts, and especially the Cité de l'Espace for budding Thomas Pesquets! With their heads in the stars, they'll be in heaven.

With children, we recommend a city tour by tourist bus. The City Tour Toulouse company and its pretty red bus offer a guided tour of the city, with a nice "Hop on hop off" system. Hop on and off at strategic points to use it as a means of transport all day long.

Older children will enjoy playing an Escape Game, these adventure, logic and investigation games, where you have to get out of a room in 60 minutes. The scenarios vary, but not the fun of the games, which remains very present and accompanied by bursts of laughter, between two bouts of stress.

If your teens prefer techno music and guns to compasses and treasure maps, take them to play laser tag ; it's a great activity. And you can even join them for some family fun (make the most of it; it's the only time you can chase them at full speed without feeling guilty!).

Most indoor playgrounds and adventure parks (tree climbing, orienteering) are open all year round. It's also a good way to keep yourself busy in a healthy way. Come and play mini golf, go bowling or jump on the trampolines at Cap Loisirs, for example. Also challenge your fear of heights and the laws of gravity at the N'co Park adventure park !

Now you're well informed. You have plenty to keep yourself busy and your family entertained until the warmer weather arrives!