Francais
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Francais |
The Valley of Ustou in the Hautes Causterans, Ariege – this is the Pyrenees in all their splendour.
For long stretches of history this country and this valley in particular
knew real misery: isolated by the mountains and suffering numerous torments
through frontier wars and the demands of central government. The system of
agriculture-forestry-grazing that they used for centuries provided for
better or worse a living that was tough and close to the natural elements.
Industrialisation and the wars of the past century have emptied the
countryside and killed off the old way of life. Ustou has not escaped
this destiny, but its situation has above all allowed it to avoid
modernisation. Though some may regret this, it has at least allowed
the preservation of the wild nature of the valley as a precious area
of savage beauty and 
complex biodiversity. You will often still find
the endemic imprint of the former way of life, rich in simple but
fundamental values.
Here life is lived to another rhythm, that of nature which is still the
only owner of the region, with its intense, extreme moments interspersed
with episodes of serenity and even weariness. Here life has not been
made “aseptic”; the people and the mountains are tough and beautiful.
To achieve harmony, a sense of responsibility for oneself and for the
environment is essential. Animals and plants are wild and have to
struggle and adapt to survive.
“Ariege, brave land” is what the slogan used to say, now re-written for
fear of bad publicity but the truth was in those words. There are many
outdoor activities which can be enjoyed by all ages according to capabilities
to taste the benefits. The weather is changeable whether conditions are
sunny or 
rainy; beauty is everywhere but may appear in the form of a thorn
bush or as a harsh winter’s day. Of course you are probably only here for
a week or two and want to go away with the most positive impression, which
I will work towards, but this doesn’t prevent you from gaining much more
from soaking your feet in the torrent after walking for hours to get there.
If you click
here you will get more detailed information about the valley,
its history, flora and fauna as well as a bit about the geological history.
These passages are drawn from my memory of guided tours, and can be read
before your visit along with other works on the area and its nature. They
are not yet available in English, but if the demand is there we can work on
this.