About Us
Chez Arran
We offer apartment accommodation in a large charming rustic farmhouse in the heart the Pyrenees. Chez Arran began at the end of 2008 and there is still much potential to develop this 200 year old former working farm which kept pigs and cows in the out buildings. You can see how the farm used to work.
We'd like to invite you here, to stay in one of our beautiful rooms or apartments, while indulging yourself in some of the most spectacular and diverse mountain terrain in Europe.
As well as offering individual and family holiday options, if you are planning an event or themed holiday, we can welcome groups of up to 25 people. We have 1500m square of grass land and gardens with table tennis, zen relaxation area, pool, badminton, trampoline, slackline, bouldering wall and barbecue area. We can offer just accommodation or with our network of contacts, we can offer some logistical support in arranging the venue and any services needed.
Chez Arran is easy to reach, by plane, train and car, and easy to get around, by train, car, bike or on foot.
Anne has been one of Britain's top climbers for many years. She was British Champion and one of the first British women to climb the landmark sport grade of F8a. More recently she has been on many expeditions to remote mountain and big-wall areas around the world, usually free-climbing first ascents of routes many hundreds of metres high.
Anne loves the mountains and is a qualified International Mountain Leader. She started the first ever children's climbing club at a UK climbing wall, and since then has helped a great many people of all ages with everything from introductory experiences to top-level coaching masterclasses. Anne is a co-author of the new Ariège Rockfax climbing guide book which is available here at Chez Arran and in the UK.
In winter Anne will often be found strapped into either a snowboard or snowshoes, or relaxing in a warm pool or spa!
Now recently a trail running convert - not neccessarily in France... Enjoying looking after 6 year old Amelie.
For the Freedom trail, trekking holidays and our climbing and yoga activities please see:
John is a top climber too. Since 1985 he has been at the forefront of the sport, onsighting many routes of E7 and F8a. He made the first (and only!) ascent of his route Doctor Dolittle - which at E10 is still one of the hardest climbs in the UK. In recent years he has been inspired to find and climb hard routes up some of the world's most impressive rock faces, the highlight of which was probably the first ascent - at sustained E7 - of Rainbow Jambaia, which is the only free route up the 1000m wall behind the world's highest waterfall, Venezuela's Angel Falls.
A keen runner (periodically!), John now enjoys exploring the many great mountain tracks of the Ariège, often on a mountain bike too.
In winter it can be hard choosing because there's boarding, skiing and ice climbing to fit in as well.