Four campsites have signed a charter to improve the care of tourists, vacationers and practitioners attracted by climbing in Ariège. The discipline appeals to a wide audience, French but also international. The goal is to maintain this attractiveness, while ensuring the safety of athletes.
The summer season has only just begun, but the team at the Sédour campsite in Surba (Ariège) is already seeing climbing fans show up at its reception. “We have already received two groups of French people, but not only that. We have also welcomed foreigners, including recently a couple of Germans who are coming for the second year in a row,” says Christophe Mioni, director of the campsite.
Climbing is a strong tourist element in Ariège, the leading department in Occitanie and the Pyrenees in terms of kilometers of equipped routes. “The diversity and quality of its rocks, its favorable orientation allowing practice over a large part of the year, as well as the beauty of its landscapes make the department one of the major territories of climbing in France”, underlines the Departmental Council, represented by its president Christine Téqui during the presentation of the “Welcome climber” charter at the Sédour campsite.
A popular developing sport
Four campsites have signed this document (the Sédour, Pays de Beille, Pré Lombard and Ariège Évasion campsites), which aims to maintain this wind at our backs brought by the 200,000 licensees in France, i.e. 37% more than in 2016. In Ariège, climbing complements cycling, fishing or trail running in the link between sport and tourism.
The aim of the “Welcome climber” charter is to unite its signatories around simple but important principles to “better welcome climbers”. First there is the environmental aspect, with the guidance of practitioners towards the 2,600 routes provided for climbing without harming nature. There is also security, with the aim of giving tourists and athletes the right practical information to avoid accidents. In 2025, the French Mountain and Climbing Federation recorded 67 accidents in natural environments.
A more peaceful practice
“When the tracks are not level in terms of security, we have difficulty attracting people to these spaces. Ariège is dotted with secure spaces,” indicates Christine Téqui.
Despite everything, the provision of technical information and equipment in accommodation establishments is important to guarantee a controlled route for climbers. This is the whole point of “Welcome climber”, launched with these four campsites already provided with the documents and objects which will be given to athletes this summer.
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