Le Courtal Holidays
"Bringing the Pyrenees to Life"
Our knowledge & enthusiasm brings this amazing, unspoilt area to life. Local guide.
For individuals & small groups. Guided or self-drive. Self catering or B&B. Airport collection. Open all year. Culture, nature & history combined. Develop your own tailored-made holiday with us.
From pre-history, the Cathars through to mid-20th Century escape routes, a special mix of cultures & cuisine encompassing influences from both sides of an often fluid border plus a diverse, long established yet fragile natural wilderness all makes the PYRENEES a remarkable part of the World. From permanent ice to desert, high crags to azure sea, any time spent in this region is rich with contrasts & unforgettable moments, tantalising all your senses & leaving you with many thoughts & emotions.
I have been a birdwatcher all my life and my special passion is for the Bearded Vulture. I help support established pairs during the Winter to encourage the breeding process. After serving 18 years in the RAF I also have a close connection & interest with the Pyrenees escape routes. I am also a keen local historian.
HIKING | HISTORY | EXPLORING | ADVENTURE | BIRDWATCHING
| CULTURE & CUISINE
We provide secluded, characterful, fully-equipped self-catering accommodation in an ideal location for exploring the Pyrenees & surrounds.
Richard & Yvett
Gite de Le Courtal
09130 Sieuras
00 33 6 16 22 66 53
contact@pyrenees.site
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Characterful accommodation set in woodland.
Spacious, comfortably sleeping 4 adults in a double & a separate twin bedroom. Modern shower and new kitchen. There is private parking, a terrace, BBQ, sun loungers & free Wi-Fi. There are walks direct from the accommodation. There are 3 particularly good restaurants within 15 minutes drive. All your essential services are also within 15 mins drive. There is a swimming lake close by.
You have your own space to relax & unwind plus benefit from our extensive local knowledge as & when required.
See our guests' reviews.
Birdwatching & Wildlife
We specialise is birdwatching holidays and have a specific interest in vultures. We are also within the distribution range of many Mediterranean species: Bee-eaters, Hoopoe, Golden Oriole in Summer, Wallcreepers & Crag Martins in Winter. Cranes are part of a mass migration in Spring & Autumn. Not only is there a huge variety but also quantity of birds, especially raptors. Emblamatic of the high Pyrenees, the Bearded Vulture or Lammergeier is a permanent resident here in the Ariege, successfully breeding in 2016. It has survived, largely due to isolation of the Pyrenees, the purges of vultures in the Alps during 19th century. But the Bearded Vultures' future, like the Brown Bear, faces many challenges. Poison and human activity disturbance are a constant threat. We support local vulture conservation initiatives.
We can provide 'real time' information on observations within the area through our regional wildlife association. Specific field trips can be created. Walking directly from our accommodation you can observe diverse wildlife in the woods and open farmland.
You can follow us and our stories on Twitter & Facebook using the icons at the top of the page. We also have a Blog that provides updates on our Pyrenees 'life & times'. We had, for example, a confirmed sighting of a Black Vulture in early June 16 which is a rare visitor to the French Pyrenees & exciting news, escecially for vulture enthusiasts! We have also created this year, in partnership with other naturalists, a hide for photographing Bee-eaters. Please see information on our exciting new Naturalist weeks planned for this spring click.
We can provide 'real time' information on observations within the area through our regional wildlife association. Specific field trips can be created. Walking directly from our accommodation you can observe diverse wildlife in the woods and open farmland.
You can follow us and our stories on Twitter & Facebook using the icons at the top of the page. We also have a Blog that provides updates on our Pyrenees 'life & times'. We had, for example, a confirmed sighting of a Black Vulture in early June 16 which is a rare visitor to the French Pyrenees & exciting news, escecially for vulture enthusiasts! We have also created this year, in partnership with other naturalists, a hide for photographing Bee-eaters. Please see information on our exciting new Naturalist weeks planned for this spring click.
Hiking in the Pyrenees.
We have many years experience walking in the Pyrenees and we are happy to pass on our best tips during your stay. From family-friendly circular walks to high refuges (most a bit more comfortable than the Orri pictured behind Scottie!), there is an abundance of walking options, both locally and within about 1.5 hours drive.