Question 1

Can I come alone?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely yes! We take in an extraordinarily high number of people who want to come alone to maximise both the walking and wellbeing benefits they get from their time here.

Question 2

Can I choose when I come and how long for?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can come for 5, 7, 10 or 14 nights and anything in between if you prefer! There is a minimum requirement of 3 nights' stay and discounts apply for longer retreat durations. Ask for a quote.You can also arrive and depart on the days of the week that best suit you and your flights or train schedules.We are fully open and operational from March through to November. If you want to come in Winter (December, January and February), we accept special application in some circumstances.

Question 3

What are the options for food?

Accepted Answer

You can choose to have a self-catering retreat and that way you are in complete control of what you eat and when you want it. This is particularly useful for those with highly specific dietary requirements.You can also opt for breakfast (€10) and/or a picnic lunch (€10) to be included. Evening meals (€25) are available at certain times of the year and so please make your interest known at the time of booking.The kitchens in the gîtes (your accommodation) and the barn are fully equipped so that you can easily prepare your own food and there are also plenty of restaurants in the neighbouring towns and villages just 7, 12 and 15kms away.

Question 4

What are the payment options for my holiday?

Accepted Answer

You can pay your deposit online via the website by credit/debit card or PayPal. We can also send you our bank details so that you can pay directly and without incurring any charges. We are happy to provide you with these when you are ready to book.If you are booking within 8 weeks of your intended arrival date, we shall require payment in full. If you are booking more than 8 weeks in advance, we shall ask for a 30% deposit, with the balance falling due 8 weeks before your intended arrival date.

Question 5

How do I get to you from the airport or train station?

Accepted Answer

If you are coming on a completely guided holiday where we drive you to the Cathare castle walks, shops, and anywhere else in between, then we will be picking you up from Carcassonne airport or Carcassonne or Bram train station, as you prefer. Simply let us know at the time of reserving what your preference is. This service is included in the price of your retreat.Pick Up /Drop Off from Toulouse airport is an additional €150.If, however, you want the freedom to come and go as you please, we strongly advise that you hire your own car. We live in a rural area that is not served by buses, and taxies are very expensive. This option is for those who largely want to self-guide (DOING IT MY WAY holidays) and don't need much input from us, if any.

Question 6

Where will I stay?

Accepted Answer

Your accommodation is at the Razès Gîtes, here in the beautiful rolling countryside of the Pays Cathare, bordered within a geographical triangle just 25 minutes from Carcassonne, 20 minutes from Limoux and 15 minutes from Mirepoix. There are three gîtes (fully equipped flats) here at the Razès Gîtes, each catering for up to two people sharing. Singles are welcome and two gîtes have supplementary single beds if required.There are several private gardens offering outdoor dining and relaxation facilities and tranquility and seclusion where required. There is also a large barn with a games area upstairs (darts and table tennis) and fully equipped kitchen, dining and lounge area downstairs, providing the perfect space for relaxing, watching nature, hiding from the heat of the sun, or simply for sharing time and space with friends, no matter what the season.The Razès Gîtes are based in the heart of what the French like to call the 'secteur Razès'. This means that many of the walking routes are a stone's throw from your doorstep. We are surrounded by indigenous flora and fauna and so you don't have to travel far to absorb the beauty of the natural world right where you will be staying.The nearest shops and restaurants are in Belvèze du Razès (7kms) and Mirepoix (15kms).

Question 7

What's the biggest group size that you can accommodate?

Accepted Answer

We're a small business and, for the benefit of everyone coming on retreat, we try to keep it that way so that you don't get lost in a  crowd. There are three gîtes (self-contained and fully equipped flats) each offering accommodation for at least two people sharing. Two of the gîtes have an extra single bed (offering three people sharing). Provided your group is happy to share, we can therefore take up a group size up to eight people.

Question 8

What will I have to carry on a day or half-day out walking in nature?

Accepted Answer

If you are going out for the day on a walking tour, then we strongly recommend you bring a day pack to carry your water, picnic, camera, raincoat, binoculars, sun cream, etc.We have some walking poles, raincoats, water bottles, lunch boxes and day packs available if you have limited space to bring your own in your suitcase. It would be handy for you to indicate your requirement for any of these at the time of booking so that we may reserve them for you.Your walking guide always carries a first aid kit so you don't have to. If choose to self-guide, you may want to think about bringing some band aids, insect cream, electrolytes, and such.

Question 9

What do I need to bring?

Accepted Answer

First and foremost, we strongly advise you bring comfortable walking shoes! While we have an excellent first aid kit, it's always best to bring clothes and shoes which you have already broken in so that you are not uncomfortable or in distress in any way during your stay. As far as clothing is concerned, 'layers' always win hands down every time in any season. Typically, it can be very warm during the daytime from May through to October, climate change and cyclical variations not withstanding. Outside of the summer months, the relative night-time temperature can drop quite rapidly.The terrain varies according to the walk and so you may traverse rock, gravel, leaves, earth and anything else! If it rains, the underfoot surface may also become slippery.We can email you a full kit list for the walking aspect of your holiday.For any well-being aspects you may wish to participate in casual, comfortable clothing is all you need.

Question 10

Where can I get more detailed info on the walking and wellbeing activities?

Accepted Answer

For each of the walking and wellbeing options we provide additional notes that we can email to you. These are intended to provide you with more background information about the area, the walk, or the wellbeing activity. Please contact us and let us know what aspects you are interested in and we'll be happy to send your further information.

Question 11

Do I need my own transport?

Accepted Answer

If you want a completely guided holiday where we drive you to the Cathare castle walks, shops, and anywhere else in between, then we are happy to pick you up from Carcassonne airport or Carcassonne or Bram train station, as you prefer. Simply let us know at the time of reserving what your preference is. The cost of transportation is included in your retreat price.If, however, you want the freedom to come and go as you please, we strongly advise that you hire your own car. We live in a rural area that is not served by buses and taxies are very expensive. This option is for those who largely want to self-guide and don't need much input from us, if any.

Question 12

Can I make a provisional booking?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! Just fill in the online booking form, call or e-mail us your intended arrival and departure dates and we'll let you know what availability we have.If the accommodation is available, your requirements for transportation, food and the walking or wellbeing options can be worked out at a later stage. If the accommodation is available, we will hold a reservation for you for 5 days; we just need your name and contact details - no payment will be necessary at this stage.

Question 13

Can I change or amend the dates after I have made the booking?

Accepted Answer

Provided that we have six weeks notice and availability in the gîtes (accommodation), we will do what we can to fit in with your new dates. Sometimes, we are unable to accommodate changes especially at short notice and/or when the accommodation is already booked by someone else. In this case, we will view this as a re-booking -  but we cannot guarantee we are always able to do this.

Question 14

Do I need to bring any maps or books?

Accepted Answer

Not unless you want to! We have a vast library of walking maps and detailed route books on 100s of walks in and around the Languedoc/Occitanie region if you want to self-guide near and far. For those interested in the nature elements, we also have some great books on the local flora and fauna and, for the avid historian, plenty of books on the history of the Cathars and their castles.

Question 15

What is included in my self-guided (DOING IT MY WAY) walking holiday?

Accepted Answer

Your accommodation as per your reservation booking as well as and breakfast and/or picnic lunches that you may wish to book in advance. If upon arrival you choose to have breakfasts/picnic lunches, these will be charged daily in Euros. 
Also included are all: walking maps and guide books (on Cathar castles, walks and history, local places of interest, restaurants, etc.), free hire of any equipment (water bottles, walking poles, etc.), access to the music and film library, and advice on where to go and what to do according to your intentions and capabilities. 
Any desired transportation to and from the airport/train station and around the local area generally will also be quoted and included at the time of booking. Obviously, if you intend to hire your own car there will be no cost for transportation.

Question 16

What is included in my guided walking & wellbeing retreat?

Accepted Answer

Your accommodation, all guided activities as listed in the particular retreat outline and airport/train station transfers.  Also included are all: supplementary information such as walking maps and guide books (on Cathare castles, walks and history, local places of interest, restaurants, etc.), free hire of any equipment (water bottles, walking poles, etc.), access to the music and film library, and advice on where to go and what to do according to your intentions and capabilities outside of your walks. Any desired transportation to and from the airport/train station and around the local area generally will also be included. Obviously, if you intend to hire your own car there will be no additional  cost for transportation.Where you choose the meal option, all meals will also be included. If you choose the self-catering option, you will be responsible for your own meals.

Question 17

Do I need to be very fit to come on a walking holiday?

Accepted Answer

Walking on the terrain in the Razès countryside is typically characterised by gently rolling hills and valleys which are considered to be easy and gentle on the body. Since you get to choose the distance you walk, where you walk, and how fast you walk, you are also choosing what feels right for you and your level of fitness.Walks up and around the Cathare castles generally include gently rolling terrain plus an additional 30 - 40 minute climb up to the castle itself (most castles are atop hills). The paths tend to be pebbles or gravel.Walks in the Pyrenees are typically mountainous and more demanding on the physical body and lungs and thus require a good level of fitness. Terrain will include: forest, fields, possible scree, rock and gravel.Before you arrive and throughout the duration of your retreat, we will consult with you daily (or however often you require) to establish what terrain and thus route will suit you best depending on your level of fitness, desired distance and outcome as well as other leaving ample time for you to include other wellbeing elements, visits or simply rest and relax. There are plenty of routes to choose from!

Question 18

Where can I fly into?

Accepted Answer

Carcassonne is the nearest airport to us being just 25 minutes away by car. The price of your pick-up and drop-off to Carcassonne is included in the price of your retreat.If you want to be picked up from Toulouse airport, there will be a €150 supplement to cover the extra time, distance and toll fees. This airport is almost 200 kilometres away and so please check your travel dates and our availability before you book your flights from this airport.

Question 19

Do I need travel insurance?

Accepted Answer

You are responsible for insuring yourself and your possessions. Insurance is not included in the price of the retreats and you should cover yourself for: cancellation, loss/theft of personal possessions and/or money, medical expenses/hospitalisation and be valid for European travel.

Question 20

Will I need a visa or passport?

Accepted Answer

If you're an EU , EEA or Swiss Citizen travelling to the UK for a short business trip, you may not need to apply for a visa to travel to France. Your national identity will suffice.If you are British coming from the UK, you have up to 90 days in any 180-day period that you can spend in Europe without a visa so make sure you leave ample days on your annual quota for your retreat. If you are unsure, the dates will be recorded in your passport.If you are coming from anywhere else in the world, you will likely need a visa to travel to Europe. You will need to check out this requirement from within your own country.

Question 21

What is your cancellation policy?

Accepted Answer

If we have more than 8 weeks notice, we will refund your payment in full, minus any bank charges that we may have incurred from PayPal or through a currency exchange fee.If we have 6 weeks notice, we will refund 80%. If we have 4 weeks notice, 50%. Less than 4 weeks notice and we will only refund 20%. Any refund will always be net of any bank charges we may have incurred.

Question 22

What caves are near you and will there be an entry charge?

Accepted Answer

There are many caves near us which are also free of an entry charge: The Magdalene caves at Rennes-le-Château and the Bethlehem cave at Ussat-les-Bains, for example.There are other caves a little further afield in the Ariège (eg. Lombrives and Niaux) and the Montagne Noire (eg. Cabrespine and Limousis) which charge anywhere between €10 and €30 per person for entry. Where there is an entry charge, you will be asked to pay it yourself as this not covered in the price of your retreat.

Frequently Asked Questions