Nature
La Bastide-sur-l’Hers lies at the foot of the Plantaurel Hills, between the mountains and the lower-lying valleys of Ariège. The Hers-Vif River runs through the village.
Those who choose La Bastide-sur-l’Hers for their stay may wish to rent a holiday apartment.
Getting Around
From Lavelanet, the Voie Verte reaches La Bastide-sur-l’Hers after approximately 5.5 kilometres. It passes La Bastide-sur-l’Hers along a flat section with far-reaching views.
The walking loop to the Saint Roch Chapel leads through La Bastide-sur-l’Hers and then follows the Voie Verte des Pyrénées Cathares towards Laroque-d’Olmes. The Saint Roch Chapel is located along this route, was built in the 16th century, is a pilgrimage site and was recently restored.
The 2026 Trail de l’Hers programme started in La Bastide-sur-l’Hers and included a 25-kilometre trail with 985 metres of elevation gain, the 11-kilometre Trail’quillou with 385 metres of elevation gain, and an 11-kilometre hike. The Trail de l’Hers took place in 2025 for its third edition and in 2026 for its fourth edition.
Culture
A family named Congoust, after which the village was named, has been documented in the circle of the Trencavels, the Viscounts of Carcassonne at the time, since the 12th century. The Reformed religion took hold in the Lordship of Léran around the middle of the 16th century; a first place of worship was probably built in the old part of the village before 1572.
On 28 August 1622, La Bastide-sur-l’Hers was attacked and burned by Catholic troops led by the Count of Carmaing, the Governor of Foix; the temple was destroyed in the process. In 1683, La Bastide-sur-l’Hers had 327 Protestants and 36 Catholics.
An information board at the Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption church presents the building’s remarkable paintings, statues, stained-glass windows and organ. Another information board near the restored market hall explains the historical, economic and rural development of La Bastide-sur-l’Hers, as well as the development of its buildings. The market hall is part of La Bastide-sur-l’Hers’s architectural heritage.
The Jais mill at the Bez-Jouret site, known as “le moulinet”, was converted into a comb factory by three partners around 1850. A mechanical workshop for manufacturing combs was established at the Coulon site in 1855.
Culinary Delights
Au coeur du fournil produces bread with natural sourdough and organic flour from stone mills within a 30-kilometre radius of the bakery. The bread is shaped by hand and baked in a wood-fired oven.
Other places: Les Bordes-Sur-Lez, Orus, Ascou, Saint-Jean-D'aigues-Vives, Argein, Seix, Cazaux, Mazeres
