On the beautiful country roads from the north of Ariège, this roadtrip takes you directly under the table of creative chefs. At the bend of a village, a rock church, a lake or even a vineyard, you will take advantage of your days to relax, take care of yourself and treat your taste buds?

The roadtrip in a few words

4 days / 3 nights
(I.e. Travel time : 3h
🚘 151 km
(I.e. Departure Arrival : Lezat-sur-lèze

The Priory Canteen

Dominik Benz, wine maker

Saint Martin d'Oydes

Rupestrian Eglise de Vals

Le Clos Saint Martin - La Métairie

Domaine des Coteaux d'Engraviès

Auberge Pierre Bayle

The Garden Tomato

Montbrun-Bocage market

Points of interest on your roadtrip

Day 1 - Thursday

Lezat-sur-lèze

To enjoy this first day and soak up the theme of the roadtrip, nothing better than walk among the vines. Borrow the marked path of the vines, and take advantage of this walk to discover the village of Lézat-sur-Lèze, all dressed in red bricks, looking like the pink city, Toulouse. The prestigious past of the old abbey of the village, at the time attached to the Order of Cluny, is still visible in the center of the village, with for example the cutlery and certain facades of stalls.

You will enjoy strolling in front of the half-timbered houses of the city, and all along the vineyard path, you will love the view of the Pyrenees.

Two saints are particularly well known in Lézat:

  • Saint Anthony, whose hermitage is home to a renowned source for healing skin diseases (shingles and eczema).
  • Saint-Appolonie whose tooth soothes the pain of teething in infants.

🥘 LUNCH, MEAL AT THE "LA CANTINE DU PRIEURÉ" RESTAURANT

A restaurant where the chef is inspired and works with local and seasonal products, with refinement and originality. A friendly atmosphere in the decor of an old priory with red bricks.
Reserver a table

? Visit of Dominik Benz's estate in Le Fossat & wine tasting

Vines that grow on clay and limestone soil at an altitude of 330 meters above sea level, enjoying around 2000 hours of sunshine per year which benefit the different grape varieties of the estate: cabernet sauvigon, merlot syrah ... all in organic farming.

After visiting the vineyard, opt for a pairing with local cold meats and cheeses for € 15 per person (reservation required for food and wine pairing).


For your night

Day 2 - Friday

Saint-Martin-D'Oydes

Take the road to Saint Martin d'Oydes! Dive into the only rounded bastide in Ariège, and one of the last in Occitanie. Its so-called “elliptical” or “circular” medieval shape is entirely intact. Built in a circle around its church, with a clearly defensive purpose, the medieval village was then surrounded by a water ditch.

To measure the whole of the rounded bastide, a marked footpath offers a breathtaking view of the fortified village, its castle and its church, but also of the Pyrenees chain to the south.

Rupestrian Eglise de Vals

Before joining the restaurant Le Clos Saint Martin La Metairie, a little stop at thecave church of Vals is essential! Embedded in a block of rock, this church is extraordinary and mysterious.

Eglise rupestre de Vals
Cave church of Vals © R.Banos

Inside, you are amazed at the superb Romanesque frescoes of Catalan origin. It is also the construction of the church on three levels that makes it so original.

🥘 LUNCH, MEAL AT CLOS SAINT-MARTIN - LA MÉTAIRIE

The restaurant, located in an immense wooded park, will make you discover a cuisine inspired by local and seasonal products, the orchard of the farm, and the vegetable garden of the park ... Served on the terrace in an intimate atmosphere, the gourmet meal and its delicious preparations will delight you every time!
To book a table

? Visit of the “Côteaux d’Engraviès” vineyard & wine tasting


The altitude of the vineyard (between 350 and 400m), the proximity of the mountains and the climate give the wines a real typicity, made of freshness and balance, elegance and unique floral aromas, all in organic farming.

Free visit of the estate and tasting at the end of the visit.


For your night ...

Day 3 - Saturday

Carla-Bayle & her tuscan airs

Carla Bayle is a picturesque country house built on a promontory which dominates the Lèze valley on one side and the Arize valley on the other. On the horizon, the Pyrenees are revealed, like a watercolor painting. Moreover, speaking of paintings, this is where the very famous painted Tristan Rà came to settle, and since the 80s, others have followed suit, so that art is omnipresent. in the village ... to the point that the village is nicknamed "the city of the arts".  

You can stroll in the alleys and along the ramparts.

🥘 LUNCH, MEAL AT THE PIERRE BAYLE HOSTEL

an unmissable address in Ariège! Located in an exceptional cade, overlooking Lake Carla and facing the Pyrenees, the taste buds and the eyes will be served! However, people mainly come to the inn for the authentic cuisine of chef Fernand De Oliveira, who happily combines traditional recipes and accommodations in his own way. A Gault & Millau address.
Book a table

In the afternoon, you can land at the edge of the lake.

lac du carla-bayle
Carla-bayle lake © J. Guichard

For your night ...

Day 4 - Sunday

The Montbrun-bocage market


It is an institution! Of course, this market is not located in Ariège, but it nevertheless has the appearance and atmosphere of typical Ariège markets (Saint-Girons, Massat, etc.). Here you will find smells of cheese, cold meats that whet the appetite.

Here you will listen to a concert sitting in one of the small stalls that offer chai, you will have a massage or your hair and taste all kinds of cuisine. You will appreciate the carelessness that reigns between the traders' stalls. 


Open your chakras, this alternative market wants you well!

🥘 LUNCH, MEAL AT THE RESTAURANT LA TOMATE DU JARDIN

It is both an exceptional place and the meeting place for locals and curious people, aficionados of gastronomy and good food. Delicacy and many different flavors in the dishes of this restaurant.
To book a table

End of the roadtrip!

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