During your guided tour, led by a mediator trained in the educational objectives and at the level of each child, the Palais des Évêques, in turn bishopric, prison or even insane asylum, will reveal to children the history of Couserans and the evolution of the site thanks to a completely new museography.
Discover the monetary treasure and its 13 pieces, the models and interactive devices, the psychiatric history of the place and the new objects taken from the reserves for the occasion.
In kindergarten
The budding painters
The visit takes place in several stages: reading of an illustrated tale, observation and explanation of the decorations of the Notre-Dame-de-la-Sède cathedral then painting of a Renaissance decoration.
I discover: the decorations of the cathedral
I do: a Renaissance decor
Workshop duration: 2h30
Price: € 7 / child
30 children max
The storytelling tour of the cathedral
The visit begins with the reading of an original and illustrated story, then inside the Notre-Dame-de-la-Sède cathedral, colors, techniques and shapes will be observed and explained.
I discover: the decorations of the cathedral
Duration of the visit: 1h
Price: € 4,80 / child
30 children max
Skills worked
• find one's way in time and space
• discover different forms of artistic expression
• awakening of sensitivity and curiosity in front of works of art
• open up to otherness: listen, compare, analyze, discuss, share with others
In CP, CE1 & CE2
The little painters of the Renaissance
Thanks to the guided tour, children will discover the secrets of the Renaissance decorations that adorn the walls and vaults of Notre-Dame-de-la-Sède cathedral. They will be able to put into practice the production techniques of the time by creating a character themselves using natural pigments.
I discover: the decorations of the cathedral
I do: a Renaissance decor
Workshop duration: 2 hour
Workshop price: € 7 / child
30 children max
Guided tour of the cathedral
Why were cathedrals painted? With what colors? The visit reveals all these mysteries to the children.
I discover : the decorations of the cathedral
Duration of the visit: 1h
Price: € 4,80 / child
30 children max
Skills worked
• find one's way in time and space
• act, express and understand through artistic practices
• awakening of sensitivity and curiosity in front of works of art
• appropriate tools and methods
• master the French language
In CM1, CM2 & 6th
Renaissance painters
Thanks to the guided tour, children will discover the secrets of the Renaissance decorations that adorn the walls and vaults of Notre-Dame-de-la-Sède cathedral. They will be able to create a decoration themselves: perforated cardboard, natural pigments, stencils, etc.
I discover: the decorations of the cathedral
I do: a Renaissance decor
Workshop duration: 2 hour
Workshop price: € 7 / child
30 children max
Guided tour of the cathedral
Why were cathedrals painted? With what colors? After a presentation of the place, the focus will be on the process of creating a painted decoration.
I discover : the decorations of the cathedral
Duration of the visit: 1h
Price: € 4,80 / child
30 children max
Skills worked
• find one's way in time and space
• build historical landmarks
• associate a work with an era, a civilization
• practice scientific and technological approaches
• master the French language
from 5th to high school
The “Catering” guided tour
This visit presents the restoration work of the painted decorations of the Notre-Dame-de-la-Sède cathedral followed by a commented slide show in order to make students aware of conservation issues.
I discover: the techniques of conservation of a heritage site
Duration of the visit: 2h
Workshop price: € 7 / child
30 children max
The “Cathedral” guided tour
Why were cathedrals painted? With what colors? After a presentation of the place, the focus will be on the process of creating a painted decoration, from the different techniques to the colors used.
I discover : the decorations of the cathedral
Duration of the visit: 1h
Price: € 4,80 / child
30 children max
Skills worked
• associate a work with an era and a civilization based on the elements observed
• understand elaborate oral speeches
• interact in a debate
• identify questions of a scientific nature
• propose hypotheses
• discover the relationship to reality and the expressive function of art
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Treasure of Couserans, Notre-Dame-de-la-Sède Cathedral reveals its Renaissance paintings © R.Kann Sesta - 2015 ![]()
Treasure of Couserans, Notre-Dame-de-la-Sède Cathedral reveals its Renaissance paintings © R.Kann Sesta - 2015 ![]()
Treasure of Couserans, Notre-Dame-de-la-Sède Cathedral reveals its Renaissance paintings © R.Kann Sesta - 2015
for extra-curricular
Explore the riches of our past at the Palais des Évêques de Saint-Lizier !
From 3 years
The museum
In a brand new museum, children will set off to discover the history of Ariège: the monetary treasure and its 13 pieces, models evoking the construction of the place, an interactive game to discover the profession of restaurateurs ... The rooms follow one another and the discoveries follow one another!
The emblematic "Bégouën collection" will allow them to apprehend life in the last century in a Pyrenean valley and the completely new space on the psychiatric hospital to evoke a not so distant past.
Duration of the visit: 45min
Guided tour of the cathedral
Thanks to the guided tour, children will discover the secrets of the Renaissance decorations that adorn the walls and vaults of the Notre-Dame-dela-Sède cathedral, a veritable “Ariège Sistine chapel”.
Duration of the visit: 1h
The 'Renaissance Painters' workshop
After discovering the place, the children will themselves create a decor identical to that of the vaults, using period techniques: perforated cardboard, natural pigments, stencils, etc.
Duration: 30min
Admission fees
7 € / child
To learn more
Complete the day with a visit to the Mas-d'Azil cave located nearby!
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The Bishops' Palace offers you a breathtaking view of the city of Saint-Lizier and the Couserans landscapes © R.Kann Sesta - 2015
practice
- Bus parking: free parking
- The drivers are our guests: free admission
- Free transport to schools 09: possibility of taking charge of transport for Ariège establishments by the Transport service of the Ariège department. For more information, call 05 61 02 09 09.
- Maternelle : 1 free companion for 8 children
- Cycles 2, 3 and 4 : 1 free companion for 10 children
- Additional guides benefit from the group rate
how to book?
Contact the reservation department on 05 61 05 50 40.
Patricia and Geraldine will advise you and organize, with you, your tailor-made outing.
teachers, prepare your visit
Do you have a school trip plan but you do not yet know our sites?
We offer a free guided tour during “Discovery Wednesdays” in order to discover the main events and activities scheduled as part of educational outings. A Wednesday in September or in the spring, from 14 p.m. to 17 p.m. at the Prehistory Park and (or) at the Château de Foix.
Do not hesitate to contact us for the exact dates. By registration only with the school service info@sites-touristiques-ariege.fr / 05 61 05 50 40.
Have you confirmed your school trip and would like to make a scouting visit?
On request from the school service, you come on the agreed day.
