Les Forges de Pyrène

The Pyrenees


In Montgailhard, 4.5km south of Foix, this ‘living museum’ explores Ariège folk traditions, with live displays of ancient trades such as blacksmithing, shoe-making, bread baking, tanning and thatching.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby The Pyrenees attractions

1. Château de Foix

2.32 MILES

The Ariège’s most unmistakeable landmark is Foix’ triple-towered castle, the stronghold of the powerful Comtes de Foix. Built in the 10th century, it…

2. Rivière Souterraine de Labouiche

5.31 MILES

Deep beneath the village of Labouiche, 6km northwest of Foix, flows Europe’s longest navigable underground river. Discovered in 1908 by a local doctor, it…

3. Parc de la Préhistoire

6.38 MILES

Eighteen kilometres south of Foix, near Tarascon-sur-Ariège, this excellent museum-park provides a useful primer on the area’s prehistoric past. The…

4. Lombrives

8.16 MILES

Twenty-two kilometres northwest of Ax-les-Thermes on the N20 near Ussat-les-Bains, Europe’s largest cave system burrows its way through the soft limestone…

5. Grotte de Niaux

8.52 MILES

Most people know about the prehistoric artworks of the Dordogne, but far fewer realise that ancient painters left their mark in caves all across the…

6. Château de Montségur

11.12 MILES

For the full Monty Python medieval vibe, tackle the steep 20-minute climb to the ruins of this hilltop fortress, 32km east of Foix (and don't forget to…

7. Musée de Montségur

11.29 MILES

Tucked into the sleepy village of Montségur, this small museum contains a collection of Cathar relics, models of siege weapons and visual displays of what…

8. Grotte du Mas d’Azil

16.65 MILES

Twenty-five kilometres northwest of Foix, near Le Mas d’Azil, this rock shelter is famous for its rich finds of prehistoric tools. Visits are by guided…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "france/vallee-de-l-ariege/attractions/les-forges-de-pyrene/a/poi-sig/1233768/1317067",
      "destination": "The-Pyrenees",
      "continent": "Europe",
      "country": "France",
      "region": "The-Pyrenees",
      "position": "superzone"
    }