September 3-8, 2027

Labor Day Session

at L' Ábbaye-Château de Camon

Book now

    • The Château has 7 bunks total. Every bunk room is special and different in its own way.

    • Each bunkroom has 5-8 twin beds (not bunkbeds).

    • Hanging space and under-bed storage.

    • USB & USB-C Charging Stations.

    • Private bunk bathrooms and a personal storage area for toiletries.

    • Bathrooms are equipped with toiletries and linens.

    • Hair dryers and irons are available.

    • Shared shower room with 3 showers for additional options.

    • Wi-Fi in the common area

    • Private on-site parking

    • Laundry services for an extra fee.

    • Extra fans and lamps.

    • European outlets.

    • You can come in groups, but please note that we randomize all sleeping arrangements. Additionally, there are two staff members assigned to each bunk with you.

  • Perched on a hilltop, this extraordinary property offers a blend of private seclusion and accessible village life. Here are some standout details about Château de Camon:

    • A stunning central courtyard with a leafy canopy.

    • Original cloisters and a striking 16th-century spiral staircase, showcasing its origins as a Benedictine abbey.

    • Terraced gardens with views of the countryside, a tranquil swimming pool, and additional outbuildings such as La Loge and The Gatehouse.

  • The Ariège region around Château de Camon is packed with things to see and do. At the foothills of the Pyrenees, it’s a great spot for hiking, cycling, and exploring nature and the nearby Parc Naturel Régional des Pyrénées Ariégeoises.

    Camon itself is a small, quiet village. Just 15 minutes away, Mirepoix offers a lively market square with local produce, crafts, and cafés. For history enthusiasts, Montségur—a famous Cathar castle ruin—is about an hour’s drive and provides incredible views along with its fascinating past.

    Other nearby highlights include prehistoric caves like Niaux and Mas d’Azil, which are open for tours and showcase ancient art and geological formations. Whether you’re looking for outdoor activities or a relaxed day exploring local villages, the Ariège region has plenty to offer without feeling overcrowded or touristy.

  • Château Abbey de Camon’s history spans over a thousand years, with its origins as a Benedictine abbey lending it profound historical and architectural significance. According to legend, Charlemagne ordered the construction of a monastery and church here in 778, placing it under the protection of Notre-Dame during his campaign against the Saracens. While this story remains unverified, the abbey’s existence is firmly documented by 923, when King Raoul, Charlemagne’s grandson, made a notable donation to it.

    As a Benedictine monastery, the abbey was part of a network of religious centers that shaped medieval Europe through their dedication to prayer (ora) and work (labora). Its affiliation with the powerful Abbey of Lagrasse further elevated its influence. Over centuries, the abbey evolved into a fortified priory, reflecting its role as both a spiritual and defensive stronghold during turbulent periods like the Hundred Years’ War and the Wars of Religion.

    By the 16th century, under the stewardship of Philippe de Lévis, enhancements were made to both the abbey and the surrounding village. Later transformed into a private château, it now blends monastic simplicity with seigniorial elegance. Architectural highlights include its original cloisters and ornate lounges. Today, Château de Camon stands as a charming reminder of its Benedictine roots and long legacy.

    This is a space previously used for Christian worship, and is still attached to a (once a month) running church. Christian symbols and relics remain in the architecture and decoration, historically protected.

 
PROGRAM

Camon is designated a “village fleuris” (village in bloom) and its nickname is “the village of a hundred roses”.

Old stone church building with stained glass windows, surrounded by trees and greenery, with a stone wall in the foreground.
A courtyard with a stone building entrance, white door, surrounded by lush green foliage and potted plants, gravel ground.
Old stone building with white wooden door and window shutters, surrounded by greenery including climbing plants and potted plants, gravel ground.
Interior hallway with brick flooring, white walls, arched doorways, hanging lantern lights, and a side table with a large floral arrangement.
Long hallway with stone brick floor, white textured walls, arched windows on left, framed art on right, and a hanging light fixture in center. Door at the end with a person in a red shirt standing outside, visible through open door.
Interior view of a room with large blue French doors leading to a garden patio. The doors are framed by gold curtains, and sunlight streams in, casting shadows on the floor. The room is decorated with framed pictures on the walls, a small potted plan
Interior of a room with light blue walls, decorated with framed pictures and a large gold-framed mirror. A wooden console table with potted plants, books, and two table lamps is placed against the wall. A doorway with a decorative painted frame leads
Elegant vintage living room with ornate white fireplace, chandelier, antique chairs, and draped curtains.
A living room with light-colored sofas, a grand piano, a chandelier, and decorative wall murals.
A luxurious living room with pastel-colored sofas, a chandelier, a fireplace, and decorative wall panels with pastoral scenes painted in blue and white.
A vintage dining room with ornate wall paintings of trees, a chandelier with six candles, a mirror above the fireplace, a round table with a white tablecloth and a small floral centerpiece, surrounded by four upholstered chairs, and a decorative fram
Sunlight streaming through a large window onto a round table with four chairs in a warmly lit room.
A rustic dining room with a large wooden table surrounded by seven chairs with padded seats. The table has a bowl of peaches, a tray with white cups and saucers, and a vase with greenery. In the background, there is a cabinet and a shelf with colorfu
A table set with multiple clear glasses, a large glass water pitcher, a green ceramic bowl with lemons, a potted plant with white foliage, a large plant in a yellow pot, a wooden cutting board, a glass of water, a vintage toaster, and sunlight castin
A view of a decorated interior with painted walls, open double doors, and a glimpse into another room with more furniture, with a table and flower arrangement in the foreground.
Open double doors leading to a small outdoor patio with white wrought iron furniture, surrounded by lush green foliage and trees, with a decorative arched window above.
A balcony with a vintage white wooden chair and a matching round metal table with a potted plant, surrounded by lush green trees and a clear blue sky overhead.
Outdoor patio area with white tables and blue chairs, surrounded by lush green trees and plants, overlooking a scenic hillside under a clear blue sky.
An outdoor patio with a round glass table and four chairs, one with a blue backrest, a potted plant with pink flowers on the table, a stone wall, lush trees, and a clear blue sky in the background.
Museum display of a historical embroidered vestment on a mannequin in a niche, with framed sketches or drawings lining the wall.
A garden path with green grass and bushes on either side, leading to a stone wall with an outdoor dining area in the background.
An old manually operated well with a metal roof, wooden handle, and ornate metal cover, situated in a garden with green bushes and trees.
A stone archway is surrounded by lush green plants and vines, with sunlight casting shadows on the ground.
A long outdoor dining table set with white tablecloth, woven placemats, lantern centerpieces, and green leaves, under a rustic patio with stone walls and wooden beams.
Interior of a rustic restaurant with a stone arch ceiling, a small round table with a tablecloth in the center, decorative bottles on a shelf above, hanging pots, and additional tables with tablecloths and glassware.
A cozy, rustic dining area with a round table covered in a cloth, a small candle holder on top, and a wooden chest behind. The wall has hanging pots and a wooden shelf with empty bottles, and a large hanging plant decorates the ceiling.
Interior of a rustic room with white stucco walls and a brick floor, decorated with baskets, textiles, and hanging greenery.
Stone spiral staircase inside a historic building with textured stone walls and small window.
An old stone room with a high arched ceiling painted with faded murals. There is a large window letting in bright sunlight, a stone cross sculpture in front of the window, a small table with a candle, and a chair.
Ancient wall and ceiling frescoes depicting mythological scenes and figures, with ornate decorations and some visible damage.
An indoor scene with a medieval suit of armor holding a shield and a halberd, positioned against a rustic wall with two decorative wall sconces on either side.
Two palm trees against a stone wall and blue sky.
View of a rustic dining room with wooden chairs, a wooden sideboard, and a textured white wall, seen through a dark doorway.
A cozy bedroom with a single bed, patterned quilt, and decorative pillow. There is a window with a potted plant on the windowsill and a chest nearby. The room has a stone archway and wooden accents, with soft natural light.
Outdoor dining area with a row of white chairs and tables set up along a stone wall covered in pink and green leaves, viewed through a grid window.
A stone house with a steep roof, small windows, and a garage door at the bottom. There is climbing ivy and bushes in front of the house, with a bright blue sky in the background.
A historic stone church with a tall, rounded tower and a conical roof, set against a clear blue sky with green hills in the background. Palm trees and foliage are in the foreground.