Discover Soulan: Plateau, Markets and Heritage

Soulan lies on a plateau surrounded by Tuc de La Couzate (1,422 m), Pic de la Calamane (1,360 m), Cap des Espinassières and the Arac Valley. The Pyrenees mountain range rises in the background.

Plateau and Natural Areas

The municipality lies within the 8,000-hectare ZNIEFF “Massif de l'Arize, versant sud”. It spans elevations from 440 to 1,680 m and includes, among other features, preserved bocage landscapes, beech and beech-fir forests, a dense network of waterways, rocky habitats, heathland and mountain meadows. Soulan also lies within the 42,000-hectare ZNIEFF “Massif de l'Arize”, which ranges in elevation from 390 to 1,685 m. Its high-altitude landscapes include natural caves, rocky habitats, heathland, and mountain to subalpine meadows. The areas differ in size and in the landscape features recorded; together, they give an impression of the diversity of the natural environment around Soulan.

Views and Trails at Col d’Ayens

Col d'Ayens is designated as a remarkable viewpoint within the Parc Naturel Régional. The panorama stretches from Mont Valier to Pic des Trois Seigneurs. Col d'Ayens is also the starting point for numerous hikes on foot, by mountain bike or on horseback. The area therefore caters to different ways of getting around, with trails that are not limited to just one activity.

At Col d'Ayens, there is an arboretum featuring native deciduous tree species, seven picnic tables and a water point for cooling off and watering horses. Check the condition of the facilities before your visit. The “La Soulatane” association also organises a hike and a mountain biking trail course at Col d'Ayens. Check dates and registration details before your trip.

Further viewpoints can be found along the Piste forestière du Taus in the hamlet of Taus. From there, you can see several peaks of the high Pyrenees range, including Pic Rouge de Bassiès and Mont Valier. Views also take in the valley floors around Castet-d'Aleu and Soulan. Col d'Ayens and the Piste forestière du Taus offer different perspectives: one a panorama between two named peaks, the other views of the high mountain range and valley floor.

Market and Village Festival

In 2026, the Petit Marché de Soulan takes place every second Friday from April to October, from 5 to 7 pm, beneath the covered market hall in Saint-Pierre. The market features live music and a lively atmosphere; entertainment may vary by date. Products on offer include local bread, vegetables, cheese, yoghurt, eggs, meat depending on what has been slaughtered, jams, craft-brewed beer, plants and natural cosmetics. The selection may vary by vendor. If you are planning a visit at a later date, check the dates again.

Another regular event in the annual calendar is the traditional village festival, Fête de la SEN PEY D'AOUST. It takes place every year over three days, from Friday to Sunday on the second weekend of August. Check the specific dates and programme for the relevant year.

Chapels, Churches and Barns

The history of the area is reflected in several churches and chapels. In the 12th century, Marguerite de Serres, Lady of Soulan, had the Chapelle Notre-Dame de Serres built at the southern exit of Saint-Pierre. The Church of Saint-Pierre contains a memorial ensemble consisting of a plaque, a banner dedicated to the Sacred Heart and a statue of Joan of Arc on a console. The Church of Saint-Martin in the hamlet of Buleix contains a memorial ensemble commemorating those who fell in the First and Second World Wars.

Soulan’s distinctive small-scale architectural heritage includes a very large number of traditional barns. Many are increasingly being restored or preserved while retaining their architectural integrity. A different historical state is represented by the former Château du Pontaud, once a residential castle: it is now a ruin. These sites and buildings offer visitors various points of historical reference, from the 12th-century chapel to the former residential castle.

Discover more destinations: Le Carlaret, Vicdessos, Ignaux, Léran, Auzat, Artigat, Aston, Orlu

For the regional travel overview: Ariège.