Ariege is a department dedicated to the outdoors.  As well as nature it also offers lots of historical sights and monuments.

Visit Foix which is the capital of the department with its imposing castle which dates back to medieval times when the Comte De Foix ruled a vast area between the kingdoms of France and Spain.

This area of France was also scene of some of the bloodiest religious wars, when the Catholic church sanctioned a crusade against the Cathars.  Some of the Cathar castles are definitely worth a visit especially Montsegur.