There’s a daily sleeper train from Paris Austerlitz direct to Foix, leaving at around 22.00 and arriving at 6am (and back, at approximately the same times).

Otherwise, travel from Lille or Paris by TGV to Toulouse, then change for the local line to Foix.

Sleeper (and most other) tickets can be booked 3 months in advance.

Pyrenees Retreats take place at our farmhouse, Grillou: we’re three kilometres outside the village of Rimont, in the French department of Ariège-Pyrénées, between the towns of Foix and St Girons.

If you simply want to come and spend some retreat time here at and around Grillou, you can certainly do that without a car: we’ll pick you up and drop you off at Foix railway station (20 euros return transfer), from where you can pick up a train to Toulouse. We can also arrange drop-offs and/or pick-ups for local walks.

However … please be aware that this is deep rural France: there is NO useful public transport outside the single train line and if you’re hoping to explore this lovely corner of the country you will need your own transport. You’re welcome to borrow a bike, though remember that you’re in the foothills of the Pyrenees!

If you’re flying here the best car hire deals are usually at your arrival airport, though there are some car hire companies in Foix. We’re an hour and a half from both Toulouse (Blagnac) and Carcassonne airports, two hours from Tarbes-Lourdes, and a bit over 3 hours from Perpignan.

To Toulouse: flights from London, Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds-Bradford, Manchester, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Belfast, Dublin, Shannon, plus Amsterdam, Brussels and other European destinations.

To Carcassonne: flights from London, Liverpool, East Midlands, Glasgow, Dublin, Brussels.

To Tarbes/Lourdes: flights from London.

To Perpignan: London, Southampton, Dublin, Brussels.

It’s perfectly possible to drive here from Calais, Boulogne or one of the Norman ports in one day – it will take around 12 hours, on good roads, allowing for stops - although an overnight stop will make it into a much more enjoyable journey. Rather than circuit Paris, we’d advise heading for Rouen, then Chartres, Limoges, Brive, and on to Toulouse. Much of it will be on the non-toll A20, and will take you through beautiful scenery.