Full of rural charm, Cherry Cottage offers you a 'home away from home' from where you can explore the little know area of the Ariege, in the Midi Pyrenees.  
The cottage is ideal for 2 couples or for a family of 4/5 and has been recently renovated by its owners, James and Cathy Thompson, who live in the same village and will give you a friendly welcome to both the cottage and the area. .  
 
Whilst being in a sleepy corner of the village (the aptly named Quartier Serene!) and therefore providing a true break from the hustle and bustle, it is only a few minutes walk from the larger village of Les Cabannes, and so benefits from all those facilities which make your holiday easier and more pleasant.  
 
James and Cathy live and work locally and are often available to give you advice on the best places to visit, and in particular, the best outdoor activities for you to take part in while you are away. They run a locally based activity holiday company called Marmot Tours, and James is an International Mountain Leader and so is sure to give you some top tips on walking, road cycling or mountain biking, if that is your interest.  
 
The cottage is ideal for all seasons, having a lovely living room with wood burning stove for use in the winter, or the garden with BBQ and swing seat for the spring and summer. The climate of the area is wonderfully seasonal, being cold and crisp in the winter (but being at 530m high, it generally is below the snow line), and warm and sunny in the summer (but cooler than the valleys and towns!)

The hamlet of Pech is situated 5 minutes walk from the larger village of Les Cabannes, at the base of the Plateau de Beille, infamous with road cyclists and cross coutnry skiers alike. Nestled in the mountains, in the valley of Ax, the cottage location is perfect for those wanting to take part in a huge variety of mountain activities from walking to cycling to skiing, as well as for those wanting to use it as a base to explore the area for its history and sightseeing.  
In the winter there is downhill skiing 20 mins away at Ax Bonascre and Ascou Pailheres, plus the wonderful cross country ski stations of Chioula and Beille. Snowshoeing is also a great option for exploring the mountains. During the spring and summer, the walking is exceptional - and you are very likely to have the mountains to yourself as this is an un developed area of the Pyrenees. With many species of wild flower and birds of prey, no walk is likely to be insignificant. 
 
With a choice of airports, Toulouse and Carcassonne, being both only 90minutes drive, the cottage is easily accesible from many European destinations. It is advisable to hire a car for your stay in order to allow you to truyly explore the quieter corners of the area. Places of interest locally are the medieval towns of Foix, Mirepoix and Carcassonne, plus the many Cathar castles that extend from this area into the neighbouring Aude, and include Montsegur. Other local towns of Tarascon and Ax are also worth a visit 
 
For a dip into deeper history, the area is famous for its grottes, and only 20 minutes drive away is the famous Grotte de Niaux with its prehistoric cave paintings. Also, the Grotte de Labouiche with its navigable underground river.  
 
On the doorstep, in Les Cabannes, and also in the neighbouring village of Aston, there are outdoor swimming pools, one with slides and a 'beach' area for chilling out, plus crazy golf and tennis courts. There is also a childrens playground and trout fishing pond.