Welcome to Les Contes, a guesthouse, chapel and place of pilgrimage nestled in the wild beauty of the Occitan Pyrenees, beneath the sacred gaze of Montségur.
A Sanctuary of Living Waters, Belonging, and Wonder.
Once a Catholic children's summer home in the 1930s, this gleaming white haven has been lovingly restored into a place of quiet hospitality, contemplation, and renewal.Here, ancient springs rise from the mountainside, animals wander freely across the land, and guests are invited to slow down, breathe deeply, and rediscover the simple grace of living in harmony with nature.The name Les Contes means "the tales" or "the stories". Long ago, local women gathered beside the source to wash their clothes and share the stories of village life. Today, those conversations continue in a different way, through meaningful encounters, contemplative silence, heartfelt conversation, and the sharing of life's deeper questions. Featured on Channel 4's Help! We Bought a VillageLes Contes has welcomed visitors from around the world who have followed its remarkable restoration. Yet television captures only a glimpse of what makes this place so special.
Les Contes is not simply somewhere to stay. It is a place to rest. To reconnect with nature. To listen to the waters. To enjoy good food, warm hospitality, and the company of animals.For many, it becomes a place of remembering, where something long forgotten quietly comes alive again.
What You’ll Find Here
- Nineteen individually designed guest rooms, each full of character, original features, and artwork by both internationally renowned and local artists.
- A Magdalene Gite
- A peaceful chapel, permaculture gardens, and a much-loved animal sanctuary.
- The seasonal Red Rose Café, serving nourishing vegetarian and vegan meals, alongside a shared guest kitchen that naturally encourages conversation and community.
- A welcoming library with an open fire, inviting you to read, reflect, or simply enjoy the stillness.
- Pure mountain spring water flows directly from Pic de Soularac, one of the sacred peaks of Cathar country.
- A rare opportunity to experience life in a natural White Zone, free from mobile phone reception and electromagnetic noise, while enjoying reliable fibre-optic internet when you choose to connect.
- Easy access to riverside gardens, woodland walks, spectacular gorges, ancient Cathar footpaths, caves, and the breathtaking landscapes of the Ariège.
A Living Threshold
Les Contes sits within walking distance of some of the most remarkable places in Cathar country.
Château de Montségur- The legendary mountain fortress whose history continues to inspire pilgrims, historians, and seekers from across the world.
Les Gorges de la FrauA spectacular limestone gorge forming part of the ancient Chemin des Bonshommes, once travelled by Cathars and later pilgrims crossing the Pyrenees.
Fontaine de FontestorbesOne of Europe's most fascinating intermittent springs, whose waters mysteriously rise and fall in natural cycles. Local folklore tells of fairies who once beat cloth of gold beneath the moonlight along its banks.
Throughout this valley, geology, history, legend and living tradition meet. Springs emerge unexpectedly from the mountains, hidden caves invite quiet exploration, and ancient pathways continue to carry the footsteps of those who come in search of beauty, wonder and renewal.
Our Ethos
We believe in creating a home rather than simply offering accommodation.We welcome people of all backgrounds, beliefs and cultures, along with children, families, and well-behaved animals.Each morning, breakfast is served overlooking the gardens, where squirrels, birdsong, butterflies and the changing seasons accompany the beginning of the dayOur kitchen offers vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free options, prepared with care so that everyone feels included around the table.We are committed to living gently upon the land through sustainability, hospitality, and respect for the natural world.Looking ahead, our vision is to expand thoughtfully into the surrounding woodland with beautifully crafted treehouses, cabins, yurts and bell tents offering even more ways to experience the peace and beauty of this extraordinary valley. If you came to Les Contes and never travelled beyond the valley, you would still discover a world unlike any other. There is a quiet rhythm to this place.The mountains invite you to slow down. The waters invite you to listen. The land invites you to remember.Whether you arrive for a single night or stay a little longer, our hope is that you leave feeling rested, renewed, and just a little more at home—both in the world, and within yourself.
