Haute-Garonne - Volvestre

The Volvestre is a country of the ancient province of Gascony, a territory that smells good nature! Only one hour from Toulouse, you will find many country activities to do, amidst magnificent panoramas. The Volvestre is dotted with small rivers that flow into the Garonne (the Arize and the Volp, among others). Straddling the Haute Garonne and the Ariège, it is a land of flavours, with a strong emphasis on Gascony products. For a weekend in the countryside from Toulouse and its urban area, it is an ideal destination to recharge your batteries and enjoy the wonders of nature, from near and far, with a magnificent view of the Pyrenees. The main towns in the Volvestre are the Episcopal City of Rieux-Volvestre, Montesquieu-Volvestre, Carbonne and Sainte-Croix-Volvestre.

For the walking and pilgrimage routes enthusiasts, take the Via Garonna, which is a section of the road of Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle, between Toulouse and Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges. 170 km of walk through 41 communes. Leaflets are available in local Tourist Offices.

To discover Volvestre and all the other territories of Guide Toulouse Pyrénées, think Géocaching! A modern treasure huntto do with your family, alone or with friends and all through an app on your mobile phone.

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Rieux-Volvestre

Labelled "Plus beau détour de France" (Most beautiful detour of France), Rieux-Volvestre is a medieval village at the foot of the Pyrenees Mountains. Nestled in abend in the Arize River, discover the pleasant narrow streets full of history and culture. The rich historic heritage of the town guaranties a pleasant walk... The Trésors des Evêques, le Pont de Lajous, the Tourasse, the Chapelle Notre Dame de la Morère, the Cathédrale de la Nativité-de-Marie de Rieux... Great for families, the fun eco museum of the Village Gaulois (Gallic Village) will fascinate children, with its craftmen and animals. Riders, young or old, will be seduced by the original donkey ride, au Rucher des ânes, to discover the Pyrénées landscapes.

On the first Sunday of May, do not miss the « Fête du Tir » (Archery Fair) in Popagay, a local tradition, made particularly impressive by the skill of the archers.If you are there any other time of the year, the weekly market takes place on Sunday. 

Guide Toulouse Pyrénées’ best tips:

• To learn on the heritage of the town, the booklet, "La cité pas à pas" (The city foot by foot) is available for freeat theTourist Office
• At the Tourist Office, get some "Randoland" family sheets, to help kids discover the town and its heritage. 
• The Papogay Museum: The Papogayis a wooden parrot, attached to a 45 metres high mastthat must be reached by an arrow. Discover this local archery tradition dating back from the 16th century. 
• The Lapidaire Museum: A collection of stonesand sculpted cut blocks, vestiges of the history of the town. 
• In the heart of the hills of Volvestre, in Latrape, the Pléiades Observatory is looked after by a passionate association, set up to teach and exchange information on the practice of astronomy.
• To keep cool during summer, go the water centre of the damn barrage of Mancies, an ideal place to cool off, with its municipal campsite.
  

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Montesquieu-Volvestre

Montesquieu-Volvestreis a bastide dating from 1238, and adjacent to Ariège. A part of Volvestre stretches into this department, in particular inthe town of Mas d'Azil. 

The Arize River valley has added to the development of the town, with itsold stones and green landscapes. Visit Saint-Victor Church with its treasure roomand 13th century halls, which houses a market every Tuesday morning. The Moulin de Barrau dating from 1450, is one of the seven mills which used to work on the Arize River. Having benefited from five centuries of cereal agriculture in the region, it is still working. 

Guide Toulouse Pyrénées best tips:

• Put your shoes on and let’s go for a "St Jacques walk" around the town. 2H30 of afree guided tour, information is available at the Tourist Office. 
• Follow the boards for historic walks around the town. 

Carbonne

Carbonne, a 14th century bastide, is the headquarters of the Communauté de Communes of Volvestre. It is an attractive town well located, equal distance from the Atlantic Oceanand the Mediterranean Sea, the Pyrenees and Toulouse are also only an hour away by road. Carbonne has developed along the Garonne Riverand the many walks, parks and gardens, make Carbonne a pleasant place to visit all year long. It is also an attractive place for holidays, as there isa considerable heritage and multiples activities. Visit the 14th century Saint-Laurent Church with its two very beautiful dove cots; the André Abbal Museum, a French sculptor who spent the last years of his life in the town; the Mill of Ferrery, a watermill on the Arize River; many beautiful residences and half-timbered houses... The market takes place every Thursday, in one of thecoveredred halls of the town. 

Guide Toulouse Pyrénées ’best tips:

• During summer, learn to wake board and water skiin the Parc La Source.
• Nearby, have a walk in the village Bois de la Pierre, where you will have a beautiful view of the Carbonne Valley.
• The town hall of Carbonne offers theme walk (fr) in the surroundings.

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Martres-Tolosane

Built in a circle, it is a commune located just outside Comminges. It has many architectural treasures, such as its fortifications and its dungeons, the villa of Chiragan (the remains of a  vast Roman villa complex where many marble busts have been found). The Martres-Tolosane Castle is located 1 kilometre to the North of the town. The town is renown for its faïences (earthenware), the first artists settled here during the 18th century producing stencil decorated tiles, bowls... Today, severalear then ware manufacturers remain in the town and are still working with the same ancestral skills. 

Guide Toulouse Pyrénées’ best tips:

• Visit the archaeological museum of the Donjon, to see the archaeological busts of the Gallo-Roman Villa of Chiragan.
• Place Dulion, go to see the exhibitions of the Grand Presbyterian.