Audio tour Discovering Saint-Girons

Saint-Girons, the capital of the Couserans region, is at the heart of the Occitanie region, in the Ariège (45 minutes from Foix and 1 hour from Toulouse) in the NRP. Close to Saint-Lizier, the town is one of the department's two sub-prefectures. Situated in the Pyrenees, at the crossroads of the 18 valleys of the Couserans, between mountains and plains, not far from the Spanish border, it is ideally located for enjoying a holiday in the heart of nature, close to the most beautiful architectural sites in the area. Rich in architectural heritage. Saint-Girons is not only famous for its monuments, but also for its ancestral culture and preserved traditions. The 16th-century bridge, the Champs de Mars, the churches of Saint-Girons and Saint-Valier, the Viscount's palace, and the Maison du Chemin de la Liberté are just some of the attractions to be discovered in the town's picturesque streets.

The town, which was known as Lunoque at the time of the French Revolution, first appeared in the early 12th century and continued to expand over the following centuries. The arrival of the railway at the end of the 19th century gave it a major economic role in the region, opening it up to major cities such as Foix. It was during this period that Saint-Girons developed an economy linked to the motive power of the rivers, such as flour mills and sawmills, as well as fulling mills for the textile industry. The first paper mills appeared, and are still to be found in the commune.

You won't want to miss the magnificent panoramic views of the Pyrenees, particularly of Mont Valier and the Pic du Cabère. These mountains are ideal for a whole host of aerial sports, including paragliding, flying and gliding!