Tarascon is easily reached by road or by rail and although a car adds flexibility, several of our guests have enjoyed their stay using only public transport.
The railway station is less than 500m from the house.
The nearest airports are Carcassonne (about 40 miles away) and Toulouse (about 60 miles away) and flight operators from the UK include Ryanair and EasyJet as well as BA and the other main airlines.
A full range of shops is in walking distance including the bakers across the square - ideal for that early morning croissant.
Set in the Pyrenean foothills, Tarascon is ideal for exploring South West France and Andorra.
Some of the best pre-historic cave paintings in the world are only a few miles away and there are many other caves and underground rivers that can be explored. There are even summer concerts in some of the caves!
If you have read 'Labyrinth' or the 'da Vinci Code' this is the area where you can visit the Cathar castles set in spectacular scenery.
Watersports and open air swimming pools are available locally. Canoes can be hired on the River Ariege and white water rafting is available not far away.
Fishing is available on the Ariege and permits can be obtained locally.
The whole area is magnificent for walking and cycling and the house contains several guide books listing possible routes. Most years the Tour de France passes through or close to Tarascon.
The area contains some spectacular wildlife especially birds. It is also not uncommon to catch a glimpse of the wild boar in the woods. Although the bear has been reintroduced into the mountains they seem to keep themselves to the high mountains and we have not had reports of any sightings.
During most of the summer some of the ski lifts eg at Ax-les-Thermes, operate to take walkers, bird-watchers etc up the mountains.
During the summer Tarascon is well known for its festivals including the extended Latin American Festival, the World Music Festival and the Festival of the Winds of the South. The concerts are free and include performers from around the world.

In the church square of historic Tarascon, this renovated 18th century house comprises:

Ground floor. Very well equipped kitchen, dining room and living room with video, dvd and hi-fi with films, music and books.
First floor. Double bedroom, single bedroom, large bathroom, terrace with barbecue.
Second floor. Twin bedroom, double bedroom with large en suite shower room and wc.

The rental rates include all linen, towels (including spare towels for swimming) water and gas. During the summer months there is usually no charge for electricity since 15 Euros worth per week is included in the charges.

Facilities

Property Type:	Town Houses
Nearest ferry port:	Caen/Ouistreham 1168km. Santander 560km.
Nearest restaurant:	Le Vieux Carre - 100 metres
Location and activities:	In the centre of Tarascon-sur-Ariege near the Pyrénées in SW France
Bedrooms:	Four, 1 single/1 double + 1 single/1 double/1 twin
Bathrooms:	Two with bath and shower on first floor. Shower room with wc and whb en suite in double room on second floor
Kitchen:	One fully equipped with oven, hob, microwave, washing machine, refrigerator, freezer
Entertainment on-site:	Video, tv, dvd, books, board games etc

Owners Recommendations

Eating Out

'Restaurants in Tarascon'
"Just across the road from the house is Le Vieux Carre - a typical French restaurant which some visitors discovered had an additional advantage - it was within range of their baby alarm! More upmarket try the Hostellerie de la Poste also within walking distance."

Local Area and Activities

'Cathar Castles'
"Tarascon is very near to many of the Cathar castles including Foix, Montsegur, Roquefixade and Puivert. See the areas that were the inspiration for both the 'Da Vinci Code' and 'Labyrinth'."

'Luzenac Talc Mine Visit'
"During the summer it is possible to go on a guided visit to the talc mines at Luzenac a few kilometers from Tarascon. Visitors have been astonished at the scale of the operation and the superb views from the top of the mines - and all for a baby's bottom (and industrial uses)!"

'Montsegur and the Cathars'
"About half an hour drive from Tarascon is the mountainous 'pog' which is crowned by Montsegur the last Cathar Castle to fall where over 200 Cathars walked into the fires rather than recant their faith. See the places described in the bestselling book 'Labyrinth' by Kate Moss. You can climb to the summit and the ruins."

'Rail Links from Tarascon'
"The railway station is only 5 minutes from the house. It is possible to take the train to Andorra, Toulouse, and even a day trip to Barcelona. Trains also run direct to and from Paris on a daily basis."

'The Cave Paintings at Niaux'
"Probably the best of the many cave paintings in the area. Visits with guided tour in English by appointment."

'The Hot Springs at Ax-les-Thermes'
"Ax-les-Thermes is south of Tarascon on the route to Andorra. It is a spa town with a large casino if you are feeling lucky. If you lose everything, you can still bathe your feet for free in the hot spring across the road."

'Walking'
"Tarascon is an excellent centre for short or longer walks in the Pyrenees with spectacular scenery and stunning views. If you want to take it a little easier you can get a head start by using the cable car lifts which run in the summer in ski resorts like Ax les Thermes."

'Watersports'
"At Ussat, less than 10km from Tarascon is a canoeing centre where you can hire a canoe and paddle to Tarascon along the Ariege. The same north distance north of Tarascon is the watersports centre formed by damming the River Ariege. Canoeing and boating is also available here as is tele-skiing a novel form of water skiing!"

Markets and Shopping

'Andorra'
"The duty free mountainous principality of Andorra is only about 50km away and you can buy anything there! Don't forget your duty free allowance is limited (to 50% more than the old duty free allowance). Make sure you look at the local Pyrenean produce including a wonderful selection of air dried hams. Fuel for the car is also a third cheaper than in France."

'Tarascon Market Days'
"Saturday is the main market day in Tarascon and is less than 100 metres from the house. There is a smaller market on Wednesdays."

Last Minute Deals

2 for 1 in August
Owing to last minute cancellations we can offer two weeks for the price of one during August 2008. See the main advert MA001627 for further details. (August 2008)

If you would like to subscribe to offers like this, please click here.

Rental Rates

Large Traditional Stone Town House - Sleeps: 7, Bedrooms: 4

£200 - £400 pw for 3
£25 pppw extra for up to 7 people

Contact Details

To book this property use the contact details below quoting Holiday France Direct ref: MA001627.

Contact:	Janet and Philip Ridgway
Postal Address:	Quay Store House 1 Harbour Road Drummore Stranraer DG9 9QF Scotland UK
Telephone:	01776 840342 or (00 33) 56 10 52 33 88
Email:	Email the Owner »
Owner's website:	myweb.tiscali.co.uk/tarascon
Shortlist:	Click here to add this property to your shortlist
Listing last updated:	06 Feb 2008