The village of
Les Forges
Discover an unforgettable village at the gates of Foix, where the charm of the past comes to life. Let yourself be guided by the smell of freshly baked bread, the melodic ring of the anvil, and the gentle chime of the school bell, all telling the fascinating story of the Pyrenees in 1900.
Our passionate guides invite you to share their love for this unique region and the traditional crafts of our ancestors. Take part in captivating workshops: the blacksmith’s workshop, the bread oven, the clog maker, the writing workshop, and even, in summer, the gold panner by the “Scios” river.
With up to 6 workshops per day, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., you’ll have plenty to choose from! Most of our workshops are covered, allowing you to enjoy this enriching experience even in rainy weather.
La Forge à Martinet
Already present in the Middle Ages, this big forge hammer driven by a water mill, is one of the last still operating in France. Commonly known as the “Forge à martinet”, it has kept its original appearance and still retains its dark and mysterious atmosphere. Philippe (Zézé), holds its secrets and shares them with you.
The Village of the Forges of Pyrène in the Ariège Pyrenees
In the heart of the Pyrenees, just 5 km from Foix, our village invites you to discover traditional 20th-century crafts and ancestral know-how in a beautiful natural setting. Whether you are a history enthusiast, a nature lover, or simply looking for a family getaway, the Village of the Forges of Pyrène is the perfect place for an unforgettable family visit for the day.
The workshops at the Forges of Pyrène offer an immersive and engaging experience, allowing visitors to discover traditional artisanal skills. Whether it’s making clogs, basketry, gold panning, or other crafts from the past, these workshops are led by passionate instructors who share their love for the craft with humor. Participants have the opportunity to learn by doing, while fully immersing themselves in local history and culture. A wonderful way to reconnect with heritage and create unforgettable moments with family or friends!
The Village Blacksmith
In the village blacksmith’s workshop, you will have a unique opportunity to discover the secrets of an ancestral craft, essential to life in the Pyrenean valleys. Our passionate blacksmith will welcome you warmly and introduce you to forging and edge-tool techniques, showing you how to transform raw metal into everyday tools and objects. An unforgettable experience that connects you to local history and traditional craftsmanship.
The basket weaver’s workshop at the Forges de Pyrène invites you to discover the delicate and age-old art of basketry. In the expert hands of our craftsman, wicker is transformed into baskets, everyday objects, or decorative creations.
Our passionate basket weaver reveals traditional techniques: selecting the right shoots, preparing the wicker, and mastering the precise weaving gestures — a heritage passed down through generations.
An authentic and soothing experience that immerses you in a traditional craft essential to the Pyrenees of the past.
The Baker
Nothing beats the taste of a good sourdough bread. Our bread oven workshop will reveal all the secrets of this delicious tradition. You will learn that, like Rome, a good bread is not made in a day. From selecting the ingredients to mastering the fire, and from the baker’s precise gestures to each essential step, every part matters. Take part in preparing the dough and discover the baking techniques in a traditional oven. At the end of the workshop, you will leave with valuable know-how and, perhaps, a small crusty loaf to enjoy!
The Clog Maker
Discover the fascinating history of wooden clog making, an ancestral craft that combines skill and creativity. Our passionate guides will walk you through the different stages of creation, from selecting the wood to finishing the clogs, while sharing anecdotes and techniques passed down through generations.
The Peddler
The storytelling workshop invites children and adults alike to discover the legends and traditions of the Pyrenees through fascinating tales narrated by passionate storytellers.
The 1900 School
The 1900 School at the Forges de Pyrène transports you into the atmosphere of a bygone era, where education took place in a simple and authentic setting. The classrooms, decorated with geographical maps and blackboards, reflect the teaching methods of the past, with wooden desks and neatly aligned benches. Students discover fundamental subjects such as reading and writing under the attentive eye of their teacher.
This journey into the past allows visitors to understand the values and challenges of early 20th-century education, while awakening curiosity and wonder.
Gold Panning
Come and enjoy a unique experience with the Gold Panner, a passionate expert who invites you to discover the art of gold panning during the summer season, along the riverside. Dive into the fascinating history of gold searching and learn the ancestral techniques once used to uncover the precious flakes hidden in the waters of the Scios River.
During this immersive activity, the gold seeker will share his knowledge of traditional gold-panning methods while showing you the precise gestures that will help maximize your chances of success.
The Museums
The Museum of Trades and its collection of 5,000 tools complete a visit full of memorable moments to share, for the delight of both young and old.
The Iron Museum tells the extraordinary story of iron in Ariège through a journey featuring reconstructions and automata.
Discover the tools, take part in the production chain, and explore the evolution of techniques throughout history
“The Ages of Life” and the Discovery path
Baptistou, 85, takes you on a journey through time, which is both fun and moving. By addressing his granddaughter Marion, and aided by an interactive scenography, he immerses you into the heart of the 1900s to the delight of the entire family.
Take a walk with our mascot the squirrel and discover the typical Ariège environment : its fauna, its flora and resources that Man has been able to draw from it in respect of nature for so many years.
Un site de l’agglo Foix-Varilhes
