Cabcamp
Chambres & table d'hôtes
Yoga Studio
Welcome to CABcamp Guesthouse.
Cabcamp guesthouse is an educational mini-farm where
guests are welcome for short peacful stays or retreats .
It is run by Chilean-Belgian family hosts.
They offer rooms with a hearty breakfast included. Dinner is on request.
They also propose yoga retreats with yoga & meditation,
healthy cooking and wild edible plants,
as well as
hikes in the surrounding mountains
The hosts are open-minded and warm-hearted people.
They have travelled and worked in several places over the world experiencing the charms of different places and cultures.
Now installed in the Pyrenees of Haute Ariège,
their home is a discreet and peaceful refuge
for the traveller or yogi who is looking for quality and charm.
Staying at Cabcamp is being pampered by simple gestures that submerge your senses in
a scent of well-being.
Cabcamp’s cooking is the art of playing with flavours, colours and
natural ingredients
to concoct a healthy and delicious dish.
Sharing dinner with the hosts is an adventure for the taste.
In the close neighbourhood there are more things to discovere through
hiking , biking, climbing, canoeing, skiing...
in magical mountainous nature
The surroundings
The location of the house
Cabcamp guesthouse is situated in front of the valley of the Aston and near the riverbank of the Ariège. There are breath-taking views on the mountainsides covered with lush forest and meadows. In wintertime you can marvel snow covered peaks beyond the valley.
"Wilding" of the garden
The old and disregarded house is nearly renovated by our own hands. Our little family includes hens and a rooster, a little herd of Ouessant sheep and our cute shepard dog, Luna. The neglected garden which was full of concrete and brambles is slowly transforming in a beautiful wildflower heaven: We maintain several small vegatable gardens based on the priciples of permaculture.
In undisturbed natural areas wastefulness doesn't exist. Everything gets recycled through the seasons by moulds, microorganisms, invertebrates, inscets... Here, at the grounds of cabcamp, a big part of the garden has been given back to nature for "wilding". In other words: lots of wild plants reinstalled which in turn attracted lots of insects, by time also reptiles, rodents, birds and even small mamifers. A little herd of Ouessant sheep impedes the recolonisation of human-high brambles or thorny pseudoacacia shoots. The shepard dog chases foxes or birds of prey trying to steal the chicken.
The aim is to create a little peacful refuge in our stressful contaminated environment, not only for people but also for wild plants and little living creatures.
What to do in the area:
The house is overlooked by an impressive limestone rock wall, “Quié de Sinsat”, a paradise for hikers, rock-climbers and birdwatchers. Cabcamp is also located in the vicinity of Plateau de Beille, an amazingly beautiful area and a must for fans of cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking and mountain biking. In spring, summer and autumn the area attracts cyclists, horsemen and canoers as well. Finally, the most natural way to move and relax is simply walking
The region is also amazingly rich in Cathar culture, Romanesque castles and caves with prehistoric paintings. Also for kids there are lots of fascinating things to enjoy like the Orlu’s wolf-park, Tarascon’s prehistoric park, donkey rides. But maybe you just come for some peacful hikes and a relaxing yoga session. Appointment for that on the "Cabcamp Yoga Studio website"
The Hosts are travelers and nature lovers. They are very hospitable and friendly people. They have a way with children and a gift for languages. They have been working in and travelling to several places around the world. They are delighted to welcome people from different colours, cultures and religions, and so does their border coli.
While your are staying at Cabcamp Guesthouse, the hosts will be happy to help you choose your perfect hiking track, climbing route or mountain bike descent. In addition, you can participate in one of their yoga sessions or workshops to booste your energy and to submerge yourself in feelings of fullness and relaxation. Are you inspired? Ask for information and prices or visit our new website presenting yoga & meditation workshops and discovery of wild edible plants <Cabcamp Yoga Studio> or go to <facebook albums>.
Gerda is from Belgian origin and speaks fluently English, French, Spanish and Dutch. Currently she is living in France and teaching yoga and biology. She obtained a PhD in Molecular Biology and used to work as a scientist in Belgium, France and Chile. She treasures nature and has great affection for animals. She looks after her sheperd dog Luna and her little herd of Ouessant sheep. She falls for cello music and found time to dedicate to playing too. She marveled playing some humble notes in concert as part of the Doha community Orchestra, Qatar and the CADI Orchestra, Spain.
In time Gerda took a lot of pleasure in developing knowledge through self-study in the field of nutrition, and medicinal and edible wild plants which she applies on a regular basis in everyday life. She regulary organises workshops revealing the benefits of growing your wild edible plants in a vegetable garden for the preparation of healthy delicious dishes Gerda is also captivated by activities in nature like rock climbing, mountaineering, BTT and hiking. To keep mind & body in balance she starts the day with an Iyengar yoga session. She might do another one before going to a peaceful sleep. She obtained the yoga teaching degree from FNPY (Federation National de Professeur de Yoga, Toulouse). In order to extend her experience in Yoga teaching skills, she regularly attends workshops with renowned yoga masters .
Marcos, her husband, is from Chilean origin and speaks Spanish, French, Catalan, Portuguese and English. He is a civil engineer and used to work as a volunteer fire fighter and mountain rescuer for more than 10 years in Chile. He mastered soon climbing and mountain safety skills and became climbing instructor at the Andean Mountaineers Club RAUC at the University of Concepcion Chile. He is a real music lover and got inspired by violin playing. He took up playing which evolved in harsh dedication. In time he participated in quite some musical events as violinist and double bass. He used to play with the Doha community Orchestra, Qatar as well as the CADI Orchestra, Spain. Currently he’s living and working as an engineer in France. He adores working with wood and applied his skillful patience and abilities in the restoration of an old and neglected house in the Pyrenees, where he settled with his wife Gerda. He’s still a fan of the outdoors, summer- as well as wintertime. So, whenever possible, he goes mountaineering, rock & ice climbing, tour-skiing or mountain biking.