La Carouille is located in the small village of Benqué-Dessous-et-Dessus (department 31 in the Pyrenees). You'll love this authentic mountain house dating back to 1706, with its south-east exposure, ideal for unwinding and recharging your batteries. Sought-after by hikers and people who like peace and quiet, it comprises : - An entrance paved with large stone slabs worn by generations of wooden clogs. - A living room with a wood-burning stove, a reminder of how many families used to gather in front of the fireplace. - A kitchen that has happily embraced all the modern conveniences. - A wide staircase to the first floor. - A simple but stylish shower room. - Two bedrooms that have retained their charming vintage wallpaper and antique wardrobes... - No wifi or telephone. As pleasant on the outside as it is on the inside, this authentic and practical house also offers holidaymakers a small terrace overlooking an enclosed courtyard, a large garden with garden furniture, deckchairs, a plancha, a barbecue and a large garage... everything you need to make a stay in this haven of peace, flowers and greenery an exceptional experience... At La Carouille, whether you're in the house, in the garden or in the flower-filled courtyard, you'll always find peace and quiet. Pets are not only accepted but welcome. La Carouille is located in Benqué-Dessous-et-Dessus, a charming little village of around thirty inhabitants nestled in the heart of the central Pyrenees at the entrance to the Oueil valley, at an altitude of 1050 m, very close to the Spanish border, more precisely in Benqué-Dessus, a real window onto magnificent landscapes and the starting point for unforgettable hikes that are just as suitable for experienced mountaineers as for family outings. Whether you want to climb peaks topping 3000 m (Perdiguère, Gourgs Blancs, Royo, Crabioules, Seil de la Baque, Maupas, Jean Arlaud, Spijeoles, Quayrat, Gourdon, Belloc, Boum...); reflecting in some of the most beautiful lakes in the Pyrenees (Lacs d'Oô, de Saussat, du Portillon, Boums, Vert, Bleu, Célinda, Charles...), Josette and Christian will be delighted to advise you... In autumn, lovers of the stag bellow are in paradise. And if you miss the hustle and bustle of the city, Luchon, which deserves its status as the "Queen of the Pyrenees", is just 6 kilometres away, with its entertainment, shops, restaurants, famous thermal baths dating back to Roman times and its not-to-be-missed Vaporarium, Europe's only natural steam bath. Luchon is also a real sports town: municipal golf course, equestrian centre, tennis courts, bowling green, mountain bike circuits, trail (including the famous Aneto Trail), paragliding, canyoning... Not forgetting trout fishing, with 150 kilometres of rivers and 15 high altitude lakes. VISIT THE REGION - In Benqué-Dessus The village of Benqué-Dessus is home to a little gem: the church of Saint-Blaise, which has been listed as a historic monument, including its interior decoration, since 1960. The first mention of the church dates back to 1289. It was rebuilt in the 14th century and modified in the 16th century with the addition of a chapel on the north side. Its wall paintings date from the late 15th/early 16th century. La Carouille lies at an altitude of 1,050 m, making it the ideal starting point for some wonderful walks. - Turn right out of the house. - Continue straight ahead and you'll set off on an easy stroll up the Espiau mountain. Here you can admire a number of cromlechs and, if you look up, you'll be amazed by the spectacle of the Pyrenean peaks between Aneto and Queyrat. After a 2-hour walk, we arrive at the Cabane de Courreau, where we put down our rucksacks and enjoy a picnic, having made the effort to climb to an altitude of 1,670 metres. - If, on leaving the house, you turn right after the last barn, you'll reach Bourg-d'Oueil (the highest village in the valley) via the Passéjade and, depending on how you feel, you can choose to climb towards the Port de Balés, the Pic du Mont-Né, the Pic du Lion, the Port de Pierrefite or the Lac de Bareilles... - Choosing the Larboust valley - You won't want to miss the walk to the famous Lac d'Oô and, after a good five-hour hike, spend the night at the Portillon refuge before tackling one of the Pyrenees' 3,000 peaks (Pic Perdiguère at 3,222 m, Pic Hito at 3,176 m and Pic des Spijeoles at 3,065 m). - Many walks and hikes start in Luchon. - Taking the road to Superbagnères You can head towards the Hospice de France and climb up to the three Boums (lakes) of Vénasque and the Port that dominates them, unless you prefer the peaceful, family-friendly Chemin de l'Impératice, which leads to the panoramic Cirque de la Glère.... Or opt for the Vallée du Lys and its four lakes: Vert, Bleu, Charles and Célinda. For younger walkers, we recommend the pretty walk to the impressive Cascade d'Enfer (ideal for a family outing). - Choosing the Sode and Artigues sides Here again, as throughout the Luchonnais, you only have to leave one beautiful landscape behind to discover new ones that are just as dazzling. Balcons de Sode, Plan de Montmajou, Cabane de Saunères, etc. There's no shortage of opportunities to wear out your mountain boots... - You can also cross over to the other side of the Col du Portillon. If the marmots, deer, hinds, Ibexes, Iberian ibexes, vultures and bearded vultures you've met on these walks, not to mention the Merins, sheep and cattle whose herds you've respectfully bypassed, haven't satisfied your need for wildlife, head for our Spanish neighbours and friends to discover the hundreds of wild animals living in semi-liberty in the 20-hectare Aran Park. OUR FAVOURITES IN LUCHON - The open-air market and its hall Local produce every day and a large market on Wednesdays and Saturdays. - Les allées d'Étigny: the Champs-Élysées of Luchon The "allées", as they say in Luchon, offer a wealth of restaurants, shops and entertainment. It doesn't take long to fall under the spell of this prestigious avenue, which was designed by Baron d'Étigny and recalls the town's heyday. It leads to the Edmond Chambert esplanade, where the statue of the illustrious baron invites you to discover the thermal baths and the Quinconces lake. - A desire for freshness After a stroll around Lake Badech, why not explore the magnificent Parc du Casino, with its statues, flowerbeds and majestic trees? - It's in Luchon and nowhere else... - Luchon's major festivals are punctuated by the cracking of the whips of the Company of Mounted Guides, who, wearing black berets with white pompoms, red waistcoats and black jackets, perpetuate a tradition dating back to 1763. And when you hear the cracking of whips, the folk ensemble "Les Fils de Luchon" is usually not far away... - On Midsummer's Day, the brandon festival is celebrated with fervour. - At the end of August, people come from all over the region and much further afield to attend the Flower Festival and applaud the flower structures, bandas, foreign brass bands and folk groups. - Edmond Rostand You can't talk about Luchon without mentioning Edmond Rostand, whose theatrical debut took place here and whose bust can be admired at the end of the Allée des Bains. He composed his first verses, wrote his first plays and organised his first shows at the Villa Julia, located on the boulevard that now bears his name. - The Crémaillère Express To cross the 1146 metre difference in altitude between Luchon and Superbagnères at a speed of 6 metres per second. - Ressources & vous The new spa and leisure centre at the Thermes de Luchon. The facility has been given a facelift, with a 900 m2 building extension on two levels offering two indoor pools, sensory showers, a jacuzzi, a sauna and other hot and cold activities. There is also a fitness room and a cardio-training room. The third level, on the terrace, has an outdoor pool bordered by a solarium. - The Vaporarium The only natural steam room in Europe! 150 metres of galleries dug into the rock, where you can enjoy a real natural steam bath, a source of unforgettable sensations. The thermal waters filter through the mineral walls at 72°C, enveloping you in a gentle, moist heat of between 35 and 45°C. Ideal for balancing your weight, purifying your skin, relaxing your muscles and eliminating toxins. GASTRONOMY You can't leave Luchon without savouring these traditional, succulent and energetic dishes, the perfect illustration of the traditional family cuisine of our valleys. - Le roi pétéram An ode to tripe and offal that has nothing to do with Caen-style tripe. Unforgettable! Traditionally, the recipe consists of mutton feet and belly, ham, veal strawberries, bacon, garlic, carrots, Gaillac white wine and Armagnac. The whole thing is simmered for a good twelve hours, to bring out all the flavours... Usually served with potatoes and a local white wine. - Pistachio princess An exceptional mutton stew with white beans. Neck of mutton, heel of ham, rind, local sausage, carrots, onions, fresh tomatoes, garlic, herbs, salt and pepper, not forgetting a skill that has been passed down from generation to generation and makes all the difference... Bon appétit

Welcome and departure by the owners