IT IS FORBIDDEN TO GET BORED IN TOULOUSE, IN THE PYRENEES AND IN ARIEGE!

I WANT TO HAVE FUN OUTDOORS

Whatever the weather, we always have something to do. During the winter, the keyword of outdoor activities is ‘mountain’. We can go skiing, sledging mountain hiking and snowshoeing... First select the resort of your choice amongst the ones we’ve listed. Which one will be your favourite? Do you prefer a family resort like Saint-Lary? Or a huge and beautiful skiing area like Grand Tourmalet?

We particularly like the Plateau de Beille ski resort, for its originality: you can do cross-country skiing, snow shoeing, sledging on a beautiful slope, dog sledging, build an igloo ... It is a bit different from a classical ski resort!

Try rafting. There are many rivers in the mountains and it is a fun and safe activity once properly supervised by professionals like those we’ve suggested.

If you like hiking, you can go alone for an adventure, but it is recommended to be extremely careful, the avalanches as the snow melts in the in middle of the mountains are very frequent atthis time of the year! To tackle the peaks safely, don’t underestimate the importance of a guide. Professional teams are here to bring you to secret magical and spectacular spots.... In summer like in winter, the mountain guides offer activities suited to your level, the climate and in an environmentally friendly way. We highly recommend Olivier, from Maison du Randonneur in Saint-Lary, inhabitants of the region since birth, its team knows the most beautiful spots of winter hiking like the back of their hands. In springtime and in summer, during snow thaw, take on canyoning for fun and thrilling memories!

In town, in Tarbes, Lourdes, Foix and of course Toulouse, the dullness does not a stop the multiples activities offered to holidaymakers across the year. Did you know that the Toulousains are great fans of the terraces of cafes and restaurants, even at that time of the year?!

Near Tarbes, we recommend the visit to the historical town centre, the shopping streets and the sumptuous gardens ...

Foix and its feudal castle are the nerve centre of the Ariege, if you pass through here, take some maps at the Tourist Offices and check the many hiking trails available around the town. In the surroundings of Lourdes, we suggest an itinerary to discover the town of Sainte, an important pilgrimage town over the centuries.

In Toulouse (and in Haute Garonne generally) we have selected some good restaurants, for a gourmet break on your long meandering journey!

In the beautiful pink city (aka Toulouse), boredom is not an issue, the textured sky highlights the beauty of the brick buildings. In this city, we feel good in all the seasons, thanks to the picturesque shopping streets of the town centre, like the quarter of the Capitole and Carmes. To party go to Saint-Cyprien, to discover beautiful houses in a calm environment, visit Saint-Michel, the Busca and Saint- Agne. The town offers bus, underground and tramway services, however, we advise you to visit it on foot...With a good pair of shoes, nothing can stop you!

With children, we recommend you visit the town by tourist bus. Trythe company City Tour Toulouse and its lovely Hop on hop off red bus offering a guided city tour that could be used all day as your mode of transport (with a small stop to the Jardin des plantes and The Augustin Museum).

I AM BORED... THEREFORE I EAT...

Tut-tut! Very bad idea, think about your health! But it is difficult to blame you when you are in such a beautiful region proud of their gastronomy.

Let’s do a deal: You do few kilometres of hiking, skiing or walking in the city and in exchange, we’ll suggest our best gourmet tips and small producers? Deal!

First of all, let’s find out the delicatessen to savour the flavours of the Hautes Pyrénées, Arièges and Haute Garonne (and Toulouse). To learn all about them, read our article on this topic. 

You need to understand that the gastronomy in the mountain areas is ... hearty (you need calories to do sports...)

Toulouse sausage, Tarbais bean, Cassoulet and of course duck (confit, in magret, in foie-gras, in pâté...) are only a sample of the delicacies of the region. In Toulouse, the violet is in the spotlight (visit Trésors de Violette, in the city centre, the owner is a good friend of ours!)

In Ariège, we honour the fruit, with the “croustade de pomme” (apple pie meets apple crumble) to be savoured in the restaurants and bakeries/ confectioners of the region.

Also try tasting the cheeses of our region: Bethmale, which are either fresh ewe’s or cow’s milk cheeses... You will probably bring back few delicacies from your trip. Check our selection of producers here!

To accompany these delicacies, we recommend a local wine tasting. Meet with the wine producers, it is a nice activity (especially when the weather is dull) to visit wineries, talk with the producers, these unique craftsmen who share their daily life between the love of the vine, its culture, transformation and ageing until they produce the world famous precious drink: the wine! We recommend you visit the craft breweries, beer enthusiasts will be delighted to learn about the making process of these "malt infusions" (this is what we call them to feel less guilty...).

I AM ON HOLIDAYS WITH THE KIDS

Great! Children love doing original things (they are not just going to watch Peppa Pig during the holidays, what were you thinking?). Take them to the Toulousains Museums: the Toulouse Museum and its animals, the Quai des Savoirs for the scientists, Aéroscopia for the plane enthusiasts and especially the Cité de l'Espace for the budding Thomas Pesquet (French aerospace engineer, pilot, and European Space Agency astronaut)! If their head is in the stars, they will be in heaven.

The oldest can enjoy an Escape Game, these adventures and strategic games seeking new thrills, where you have to exit a room in 60 minutes. The scenarios vary, but not the pleasure of playing, a mixture of laughing and tension ...

If your teenagers prefer techno music and guns, rather than compasses and treasure maps, take them for a game of Laser Tag, it is a great activity. Join them for a great fun family activity (enjoy, it is the only moment where we can chase / hunt / shoot them without feeling guilty;) ).

Soft play areas and adventure parks (treeclimbing, orienteering) are open all year for most of them, and it is a healthy activity. Come and play a mini golf game, bowling or jump on the trampolines of Cap Loisirs palaminy, for example.

Or challenge your fear of height and the laws of gravity at the N'co Park Aventure!

Now you have a lot of ideas and information to keep your family busy with fun activities until the better weather!