Chalet L'Oustal—pure nature!

Our property is located in the heart of the Corbières, in Cathar country, at the foot of the Termes fortress, at the entrance to the rocky landscapes and adventurous gorges of the Gorges du Termenet. Here, in the secluded Mediterranean mountain landscape of the Hautes-Corbières, we have settled down, found peace and quiet, and lovingly renovated and restored the old sheepfold and the two vacation homes. We now raise Shetland ponies and donkeys here on approximately 100 hectares of mountain meadows in the surrounding area.

The Chalet l’Oustal vacation home is situated right on the edge of the forest, in a former vineyard, in a completely peaceful, secluded location far from roads and the village. Here, your children can play, ride bikes, and play hide-and-seek completely safely on our 5-hectare property...

From the terrace, you can enjoy the unique mountain panorama.

The climate and vegetation are Mediterranean. Around the house, you’ll find green oaks, pines, arbousiers (strawberry trees), junipers, lavender, thyme, marjoram, rockroses, cypresses, and countless orchids.

Spring transforms the landscape into a veritable sea of blossoms. You can then hike for hours across colorful mountain meadows without being disturbed by a single soul. Then a magnificent panorama unfolds before them: hundreds of kilometers of snow-capped Pyrenean peaks to the south, the Montagne Noire and the Massif Central to the north, and the rocky landscapes of the Corbières, which plunge eastward into the sea.

Even in hot summers, the nights are always pleasantly cool, crystal clear, and free of any pollution, offering starry skies of breathtaking clarity.

But autumn also has its own special charms: it usually remains pleasantly warm until the end of October. September is harvest time, and the vineyards take on rich shades of yellow and red. That’s when people gather chestnuts here and roast them in a pan or over the fireplace.

Countless hiking opportunities are available right from the house. The GR 36 long-distance hiking trail is just a few hundred meters from the house, and several well-marked loop trails lead you past the Château de Termes, to our picturesque village of Termes, and through the Termenet Gorges. We’ve also developed our own hiking trails that lead you through secluded, wild mountain landscapes.

In the nearby Termenet Gorge (a 400-meter walk), there are wonderful swimming spots with waterfalls, slides, and natural pools, as well as in all the streams and whitewater areas in the surrounding area.

Prat de Mu is an ideal base for excursions to the numerous Cathar castles (Termes, Villerouge, Aguilar, Peyrepertuse, Queribus, Padern, Durban, Arques). We’re happy to lend you detailed brochures, guidebooks, and books on the history of the Cathars. In the reception area of our Cathar castle in Termes, you’ll find a very interesting exhibition on the history of the Cathars, videos, and an extensive library.

The Corbières region, with its excellent wines (Corbières, Fitou), offers excellent opportunities for wine testings. We’re happy to provide you with some “insider tips”...

Historic old towns: Narbonne, Carcassonne (World Heritage Site), Lagrasse, Limoux.
City tours to: Barcelona, Perpignan, Collioure, Montpellier, Albi, Toulouse.

The bright sandy beaches along the Mediterranean are perfect for day trips to the beach (about a 1-hour drive; we have some tips for you here as well). Excursions to the picturesque high mountains of the Pyrenees, to Andorra, to the Canal du Midi (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), to the Sigean Safari Park, or to the Dinosaur Museum in the Aude Valley.

On-site: Hikes in the Corbières, bike tours, trail rides (including for beginners at a partner riding stable), rock climbing and swimming in the canyon, a playground, and play equipment for children.

Farm: We raise Shetland ponies and donkeys on approximately 100 hectares of mountain pastures. As a result, hikes and games with our ponies, donkeys, and Labrador dogs, as well as herding the animals up and down the pastures and feeding them on our mountain pastures, are part of the standard program for our young guests. Herding the animals along secluded mountain trails, across blooming alpine meadows, through Mediterranean g