Communauté de communes de la Haute-Ariège

What Communauté de communes de la Haute-Ariège does

The Communauté de communes de la Haute-Ariège (CCHA) is a French public intercommunal establishment (Établissement public de coopération intercommunale, EPCI) created in 2017 from the merger of three former communautés de communes (Vallées d'Ax, Auzat-Vicdessos, and Donezan). Headquartered at 13 Route Nationale 20 in Luzenac, it serves 51 municipalities in the Ariège department of the French Pyrenees through two territorial directions in Auzat and Le Pla, with 260 agents distributed across approximately 10 sites as of January 2017. Governance rests with a 70-delegate Community Council; Alain Marfaing was elected President on April 15, 2026, succeeding Alain Naudy. CCHA exercises both mandatory and optional competencies delegated by its member municipalities, including economic development, tourism, transport, education, social services, waste management, water/flood management (GEMAPI), and urban planning.

CCHA operates a wide portfolio of public services: 11 schools, 4 intercommunal crèches (64 total places), 2 EHPAD elderly care homes, a CLIC coordination center, 6 libraries/médiathèques (42,000+ documents), 3 business zones (90,000+ m²), 7 mountain refuges (2 owned), 2 central catering kitchens plus a Donezan meal preparation office (up to 850 meals/day capacity, over 20% organic/local sourcing), and Transport à la Demande (TAD liO) on-demand public transport. Since November 2021, five ski stations (Ax 3 Domaines, Plateau de Beille, Ascou-Pailhères, Mijanes-Donezan, Goulier-Neige) are operated through a joint Syndicat Mixte with the Département de l'Ariège, generating over 10 million euros in revenue across 570,000+ skier days. Tourism promotion is delegated to the intercommunal Office de Tourisme des Pyrénées Ariégeoises (created 2018, Catégorie 1 since 2021), funded by an 872,817 euro CCHA subsidy in 2021 and the taxe de séjour collected through an online portal.

CCHA's revenue model is the standard French EPCI model: pooled local taxation (taxe de séjour, GEMAPI tax across four rates), state/regional/departmental transfers and subsidies, ski station managed-services revenue, catering and transport fees, and EU co-financing (e.g., 65% FEDER for the PYRFER cross-border project). The 2026 global budget is 57 million euros including 15.4 million euros in investment, with a multi-year 21.3 million euro ski development program underway. Technology is conventional government infrastructure (Makina Corpus-developed website, basic online portals for tourist tax and procurement); no proprietary AI/ML, APIs, or developer platforms are disclosed. Strategic priorities are codified in the PLUIh (approved December 18, 2025), the PYRFER cross-border heritage program, the Beille 2 ski rehabilitation, and the OPAH 2024-2027 housing program.

Name

Communauté de communes de la Haute-Ariège

Legal name

Communauté de communes de la Haute-Ariège

Website

https://cc-hauteariege.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Communauté de communes de la Haute-Ariège (CCHA) is a French public intercommunal authority (EPCI) headquartered in Luzenac, delivering public services—transport, education, childcare, elderly care, catering, waste management, tourism, and urban planning—across 51 municipalities in the Ariège Pyrenees, governed by a 70-delegate council.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Local Government Services

NAICS

Public Administration (92), Administration of Housing Programs, Urban Planning, and Community Development (925), Administration of Urban Planning and Community and Rural Development (92512), Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support (921)

SIC

Services-To Dwellings & Other Buildings (7340), Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744), Refuse Systems (4953)

akta.pro primary industry

Master-Planned Community & POA Management (BPAJAHAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Mixed-Use Community Association Management (BPAJAHAF)

Keywords

• Intercommunal public services
• Local government administration
• Community public services
• Waste management services
• Mountain tourism operations

Headquarters

HQ city

Luzenac

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tourist Tax (Taxe de séjour): Collected from tourists staying in the territory through accommodation providers, this tax is fully returned to the Office de Tourisme des Pyrénées Ariégeoises for tourism promotion.
2. GEMAPI Tax: A dedicated tax to fund water management and flood prevention, implemented unanimously by community council and distributed across 4 existing tax rates (TH, TFNB, TFB, CFE).
3. Tourism Office Subsidy: CCHA provides an annual operating subsidy to the Office de Tourisme des Pyrénées Ariégeoises (872,817 euros in 2021).
4. Ski Station Operations: Five ski stations managed through the Syndicat Mixte des Stations de Sports et de Montagne de la Haute-Ariège, generating revenue through ski passes and services.
5. Association Subsidies: Annual budget allocated to support associations animating the territory, with 169,720 euros approved for association subsidies.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels10 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Communauté de communes de la Haute-Ariège (CCHA) is a French public intercommunal structure (EPCI) that delivers mandated public services across 51 Pyrenean municipalities, including on-demand and school transport, eleven schools, four crèches, two central kitchens and one meal preparation office, two EHPADs and a CLIC, five ski stations, GEMAPI water management, household waste collection, business zones, and the PLUIh urban planning scheme. It is funded by local taxation, state and departmental subsidies, and service fees, and operates with roughly 260 agents across about 10 sites.

Product overview

The Confluence de communes de la Haute-Ariège (CCHA) is an intercommunal local government structure serving 51 municipalities in the French Pyrenees. It operates as a multi-service platform providing public services across diverse domains including transportation (Transport à la Demande, school transport), education (11 schools, 4 crèches, ALAE/ALSH leisure centers), catering (2 central kitchens plus 1 meal preparation office serving schools, crèches, elderly care, and home delivery), elderly care (2 EHPADs, CLIC coordination center), tourism (6 ski stations managed via Syndicate, intercommunal tourist office, business zones), waste management, water/flood management (GEMAPI), and urban planning (PLUIh). The organization does not offer a commercial product but rather delivers public services funded by local taxation, state subsidies, and service fees. Digital services include an online tourist tax portal, public procurement platform, and library network with digital media partnerships (Cafeyn, Médiathèque Numérique, Les Yeux doc).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Transport à la Demande (TAD liO) On-demand public transport service operated in partnership with Région Occitanie (liO) covering the Vallées d'Ax and Donezan territories. Open to all residents and persons in residence, with home pick-up and drop-off on reservation via the liO central reservation number. Single journey 2€, round trip 4€, half-price under 18s, free for mobility-impaired companions and Ariège Solidarité card holders.
• Restauration Collective (Collective Catering) Collective catering service managed by CCHA through the central kitchen of Luzenac (capacity up to 850 meals/day, transporting nearly 650 meals daily since November 2016), central kitchen of Auzat, and the Office de préparation des repas du Donezan (capacity 50 meals/day, operational since September 6, 2021). Provides daily meals to schools, crèches, EHPADs, leisure centers, and 23 home meal delivery beneficiaries, with over 20% organic or locally sourced products and 2 school meals per week (Tuesdays/Thursdays) made exclusively from organic/local products.
• Crèches (Intercommunal Childcare) Four intercommunal early childhood facilities for children aged 2.5 months to 6 years: Micro-crèche Les Lutins (Auzat), Multi-accueil Croque Soleil (Ax-les-Thermes), Multi-accueil Colin Maillard (Les Cabannes), and Crèche familiale Croque Lune (Luzenac). Total capacity of 64 places, co-financed by CCHA, CAF de l'Ariège, and MSA.
• Écoles (School Management) Management and operation of 11 school establishments across the Haute-Ariège territory, including 3 Regroupements Pédagogiques Intercommunaux (RPI). Includes school administration, registration processing, and coordination of school transport for children under 6 years old.
• ALAE/ALSH (Leisure Centers) Before and after-school care (ALAE) operating across 9 locations (Auzat, Ax-les-Thermes, Les Cabannes, Luzenac, Savignac, Orlu, Mérens, L'Hospitalet, Quérigut) and holiday leisure centers (ALSH) including specialized 'Juniors' centers for youth aged 11-15.
• Ski Stations (Stations de Sports d'Hiver) Five ski stations with 570,000+ skier days annually and combined revenue exceeding 10 million euros: Ax 3 Domaines (400,000 skier days), Plateau de Beille (Nordic), Domaine du Chioula (Nordic), Ascou-Pailhères, Mijanes-Donezan, and Goulier-Neige. Management transferred to the Syndicat Mixte des Stations de Sports et de Montagne on November 1, 2021.
• Zones d'Activités Communautaires (Business Zones) Three intercommunal business zones totaling over 90,000 m² of developed land: Zone d'activité de Perles-et-Castelet (10 enterprises, 75 jobs), Site d'entreprises d'Aulos-Sinsat (32,500 m², 3 enterprises), and Hôtel d'entreprises d'Auzat (9 units, 8 enterprises).
• EHPAD (Elderly Care Homes) Two elderly care homes managed by CCHA, including EHPAD Le Santoulis in Luzenac, providing accommodation and personalized support to dependent elderly residents across the territory.
• CLIC (Centre Local d'Information et de Coordination) Local information and coordination center for dependent elderly and disabled persons, created in 2003. Provides home visits, resources for APA, home help, meal delivery, housing adaptation, and telecare, and coordinates professional interventions.
• Réseau de Lecture (Library Network) Network of 6 libraries/médiathèques (Ax-les-Thermes, Luzenac, Les Cabannes, Auzat, L'Hospitalet, Quérigut) plus mobile mediabus service, offering over 42,000 documents and free membership. Includes digital platforms Cafeyn (press), Médiathèque Numérique (films), and Les Yeux doc (documentaries).
• GEMAPI (Water Management and Flood Prevention) Aquatic environment management and flood prevention competency transferred to CCHA since January 2018, delegated to three watershed syndicates (SMAH HVA, SBGH, SYMAR Val d'Ariège). Annual cost approximately 139,534 euros (2021), funded by a dedicated GEMAPI tax of approximately 6€/person/year.
• Gestion des Déchets (Waste Management) Household waste collection and treatment service for the territory including yellow bin for packaging, biodéchets composting (445L kit available at 8€), and the campaign 'Mon avenir ici passe par le tri' to inform residents of new sorting procedures.
• Taxe de Séjour (Tourist Tax System) Tourist tax collection system with online declaration portal (since January 2019) for tourist accommodation providers. Rates from 1% to 5% of nightly stay cost for unclassified establishments (CCHA applies 5%); camping pitches 0.20€-0.60€. Revenue fully transferred to the Office de Tourisme des Pyrénées Ariégeoises.
• PLUIh (Plan Local d'Urbanisme Intercommunal) Intercommunal Local Urban Planning document integrating a housing component, replacing 13 municipal PLUs, 2 communal maps, and RNU regulations. Approved by Community Council on December 18, 2025, covering all 51 municipalities of the CCHA territory.

Quantifiable outcome

• 570,000+ skier days annually generating 10+ million euros in station revenue
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SOLIHA AriègecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Housing support partner for OPAH 2024-2027 providing free personalized support to property owners for housing renovation (energy efficiency, disability adaptation). CCHA and SOLIHA organize monthly territorial permanence.
• Département de l'AriègecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2021Joint creation of the Syndicat Mixte des Stations de Sports et de Montagne de la Haute-Ariège for ski station management. Department contributes 30% of any funding gap up to 204,000€, with CCHA covering the remainder. Joint governance with 3 department and 7 CCHA delegates.
• Chambre d'agriculture d'AriègecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Partnership for mountain agriculture animation and development. Collaboration includes 4 axes: PAC and installation aid, land and transmission support, local supply for collective catering, and local production promotion. Partnership generates 31% of Luzenac kitchen purchases from department producers.
• Office de Tourisme des Pyrénées AriégeoisescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Intercommunal tourism office created from merger of 3 previous offices. CCHA provides annual subsidy (872,817€ in 2021) and shares governance with Pays de Tarascon. The office achieved 'Catégorie 1' classification in 2021 as the first in Ariège.
• Région Occitanie (Service liO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2006Partnership for on-demand transport (TAD) service covering Vallées d'Ax and Donezan. CCHA collaborates with the region on transport organization, with liO providing the central reservation system and unified branding for public transport.
• Agence Ariège AttractivitéminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDepartmental economic development agency supported by CCHA to maintain economic vitality in the territory. CCHA maintains budget allocations despite law Notre changes.
• Initiative AriègeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal initiative association for business creation support, backed by CCHA for small business development in the valleys.
• Compagnie des AlpesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngaged for study on ski station future development across all Ariège ski areas, with perspectives at 5, 10, and 15 years. Study financed by Région Occitanie and Conseil Départemental.
• EDFminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrivate sector partner in 'Vallées Ingénieuses' tourism industrial project focusing on hydroelectric heritage and biodiversity interpretation.
• Imerys Talc LuzenacminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustrial partner for 'Vallées Ingénieuses' project developing talc interpretation center in Luzenac, promoting industrial heritage tourism.
• Société Thermale d'AxminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in 'Vallées Ingénieuses' project focusing on thermal water heritage and tourism development.
• Plateforme TAP (Chambre d'agriculture)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAgricultural product distribution platform enabling 31% of Luzenac central kitchen purchases from local/regional producers.
• SYMAR Val d'AriègecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBasin syndicate managing GEMAPI for Vallées d'Ax and Auzat-Vicdessos communes, handling water management and flood prevention.
• Syndicat Mixte d'Aménagement Hydraulique de la Haute-Vallée de l'Aude (SMAH HVA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBasin syndicate for Donezan territory under SMMAR, managing GEMAPI competency.
• Syndicat du Bassin du Grand Hers (SBGH)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBasin syndicate managing GEMAPI for Prades, Montaillou, and part of Lordat.
• Centre de Gestion de la Fonction Publique Territoriale de l'AriègeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesignated as Data Protection Officer (DPO) for CCHA in compliance with RGPD, located at 4 Rue Raoul Lafagette, 09000 FOIX.
• PAPRECminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWaste management company receiving sorted waste from yellow bins for recycling processing at Varilhes center.

Scale indicators21 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• N'Py (Nouvelles Pyrénées): Network unifying seven Pyrenean ski resorts across Occitanie and Nouvelle-Aquitaine regions, providing shared marketing, ticketing, and operational services. Most direct peer to CCHA's ski syndicate model, operating at the same geographic scale in the same Pyrenean mountain tourism segment with a similar cooperative structure across multiple local authorities.
• Communauté de communes Pyrénées Catalanes: French Pyrenean intercommunality in Pyrénées-Orientales serving mountain municipalities with ski tourism, thermal, and public service portfolios. Directly comparable as a French EPCI of similar scale managing tourism, education, and territorial services in a Pyrenean mountain context.
• Communauté de communes du Briançonnais: Alpine intercommunality in Hautes-Alpes serving Briançon-area mountain municipalities with ski resorts, schools, social services, and tourism promotion. Comparable French EPCI of similar scale operating in mountain tourism with diversified public services in a geographically challenging territory.
• Conseil Départemental de l'Ariège: Departmental government authority co-managing the Syndicat Mixte des Stations de Sports et de Montagne with CCHA, contributing 30% of ski funding gaps and participating in GEMAPI, OPAH, and tourist tax co-administration. Closest institutional peer as a public authority operating in the same territory with overlapping competencies.
• Communauté de communes des Vallées de Thônes: Haute-Savoie intercommunality serving Aravis mountain valley municipalities with ski tourism and public services. Comparable French EPCI structure with mountain ski operations and cross-municipality service consolidation.

Broad incumbents

• Compagnie des Alpes: France's largest ski resort operator managing 11 major alpine resorts and leisure parks. Already engaged by CCHA (via joint study with Région Occitanie and Conseil Départemental) on future development of Pyrenean ski areas. Comparable as a mountain tourism asset operator, though operating at much larger scale across the French Alps rather than Pyrenees.
• Région Occitanie: Regional government authority covering CCHA's territory, operating liO public transport, ski development co-funding, and EU program administration. Comparable as a higher-tier public administration in the same geography, providing institutional services and intercommunal coordination CCHA depends on.

Others

• ANMSM (Association Nationale des Maires de Stations de Montagne): National French association representing mayors of mountain resort municipalities, providing advocacy, benchmarking, and policy coordination. Indirectly comparable as the trade body whose membership CCHA's ski station governance falls within, addressing the same climate, investment, and regulatory issues facing French mountain intercommunalities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/HauteAriege
• Instagraminstagram.com/cc.hauteariege
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/communaut%C3%A9-de-communes-de-la-haute-ari%C3%A8ge

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Communauté de communes de la Haute-Ariège