Our Nearest Town
Our local town is Foix, a well preserved medieval town dating from neoliothic times. In addition to a great castle (open to the public) it has winding alleyways of half timbered houses and shops, all situated on the edge of two rivers, the Arget and the Ariege.
Plenty of restaurants and bars, some traditional and some modern and upmarket to suit all tastes. A weekly market with artisanal shops and stalls to satisfy all your shopping needs are here.
The lake just outside Foix offers water pleasures and a beach. a new swimming pool complex at Foix centre offers inside and outside bathing and relaxing.
We have a major theatre and multiscreen cinema.
At neighbouring nearby towns you can find a fabulous spa complex and casino. Golf is about 20 minutes from Foix
Visit Local Shops & Markets
Local shops close to the house include:
- Great family Bakery and general store at La Coupiere (5 mins). Not open Mondays.
- St. Pierre has a good sized convenience store which is not too expensive if you buy their own range (Grand Jury).
- Monday - Mirepoix - wonderful medieval walled town.
- Friday is Foix market. It takes over the whole town and is very comprehensive from fresh food, handmade goods and a small organic producers area.
- Saturday is St.Girons - a bit of a hike at 35 mins away but well worth it. Probably the best 'classic french' market for many miles.
Commercial Shopping Information
Foix has a good number and variety of supermarkets easily accessible by car.
Intermarche, Lidl and LeClerc are all situated just outside the town on the road to Andorra.
Leader Price and Carrefour are both on the Toulouse road just outside the town.
Casino (Supermarket) is situated in the town just behind the main post office in the centre of town.
TOULOUSE offers many international shopping outlets such as IKEA, etc.
DON'T FORGET in France almost all smaller shops close between 12 and 2 midday.
Historical Connections
From pre-history this region has seen the first cave men (neolithic) in Europe after the last ice age. Their art works decorate many caves in our area (Lombrives/Nixaux/etc etc) These are world famous and important. Then we have vast numbers of fabulous buildings and bridges from the middle ages. The history of the CATHARS is here, hard and bloody. The Inquisition was here.
Castles and Bastides (defended villages) abound. Our local church was built in the 11th Century.
You are never short of ancient buildings historical sites or museums to visit.
Info you may need
Post offices are situated at the Mairie at Serres sur Arget (mornings only)
At St. Pierre (mornings only)
Foix is open all day including lunchtimes and saturday mornings!!
EMERGENCY NUMBERS ARE
Police
Fire dept.
Ambulance
Local doctor
These numbers will be recorded in the WELCOME BOOK given to you on arrival.