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Revel, population 9,000, is a medieval fortified village founded in 1342 by Philippe VI de Valois at the foot of the Black Mountain.

With its octagonal shape and geometric construction, Revel is almost unique in France. In its centre, there is an immense 14th century hall supported and surmounted by a belfry, formerly a watchtower. From the end of the 19th century, master cabinet makers, inlayers, engravers, sculptors and bronze smiths made Revel into the capital of the furniture-making craft, earning it the prestigious "Meuble d’Art" appellation.

A masterpiece of Pierre Paul Riquet’s ingenious idea for feeding water into the Canal du Midi in the 17th century, the lake of Saint-Ferréol has been listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage site for humanity since 1997.

The area offers a multitude of leisure activities and sports including swimming, fishing, boating, windsurfing, tennis, horse riding, hiking, cross-country biking, climbing and cave exploration.

To the site of Revel

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In the heart of the Pyrenees around the Ariège region, in the Haut-Couserans, a number of villages and hamlets nestle in the Ustou valley. Ideal for family outings and hiking at all levels (GR 10), there is also a winter sports resort at Guzet-neige.

Sites of outstanding natural beauty, such as the Cagateille mountain range that is a listed heritage site, there are a number of water courses that are ideal for trout-fishing, waterfalls, mountain lakes, but also an abundance of flora an fauna and the charm of old stone buildings. The Roman bridge and old mills are a reminder that the history of this area goes back a long way, like that of bear tamers.

Guzet has a camp site and two municipal swimming pools, restaurants, holiday rentals and local shops and businesses.

This valley is certainly worth making a detour to visit, a valley where life can be enjoyed to the full.

To the site of Guzet

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