The Eastern Pyrenees and its surroundings are full of surprising gems to discover: culture, heritage, sports and relaxation will delight the whole family!
Opened in 1976 and designed by the Scottish architects Wright & Tomlinson, the 27 holes of Saint-Cyprien’s Golf course will delight all golf enthusiasts, from beginners to advanced players. Three courses for everyone: « Etang-Canigou », the 18-hole qualifying course for the great European circuit, links-style, and the 9-hole « La Fôret” for a highly technical game in the middle of a pine forest.
10 Minutes from Perpignan in the heart of Canet-Plage, facing the sea, the casino of Canet offers breathtaking views of the Mediterranean. In a colourful decor, come and play the slot machines, or try your luck at blackjack, poker, roulette or the battle. Discover all the winning jackpots right now! Something to dream …
Built in the last quarter of the thirteenth century, the palace of the kings of Mallorca in Perpignan is part of the tradition of the great palace-fortresses of the late Middle Ages. Its construction precedes decades to the Avignon Popes’ Palace or the castles of Karlstejn (Czech Republic) and Vincennes. Its transformation into an arsenal and its confinement in the heart of the citadels, built between the fifteenth and seventeenth century by the French and Spanish, have paradoxically contributed to its preservation …
Saint-John-Baptiste Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral dating from the fourteenth century. Gothic style, to be discovered in the heart of Perpignan.
The Catalan jewel of the Côte Vermeille! Collioure is full of small alleys, one more charming than the other. The configuration and the beauty of this small village have always conferred an extraordinary brightness, which attracted over time many painters, including Matisse and Dali. There you will also find the Royal Castle, built in the VIIᵉ century and rebuilt from the XIIIᵉ till the XVIIᵉ century and the Museum of Modern Art or the Cave of the Dominicans which you should not fail to visit. The little train of Collioure will allow you to travel through the vineyards towards Port-Vendres and enjoy an exceptional view from the Fort St. Elme (which is also worth a visit!).
You should also visit Banyuls-sur-Mer: The 1st Biodiversarium opened its doors there. A Mediterranean garden and aquarium (open to the public since 1885) are waiting for you. Both spots together present the Eastern Pyrenees’ marine and terrestrial biodiversity. The Marine Nature Reserve for diving fans, the Maillol Museum, The Chapel “Notre Dame de la Salette”, and the many wineries including the “Terres des Templiers” …
About twenty kilometers south-west of Perpignan, close to Thuir, you’ll find Castelnou which is one of the most beautiful villages in France. It is perched at the foot of the “Aspres” with in the background, the famous mountain top “Canigou”, a mythical Catalan mountain. Overlooking the village, the viscountal castle had to adapt its pentagonal shape to the steep and irregular edges of the rock that hosts it …
Founded by the brothers Violet in the late 19th century, the Byrrh aperitif is now owned by Pernod Ricard. A very special guided visit will introduce you to the history of the iconic brand of the mid-20th century and you’ll be privileged to see the tallest and largest oak vat in the world.
Ranked amongst the most beautiful villages of France, Villefranche-de-Conflent is a witness of the past and reveals through its murderous history also a very rich heritage. Long before man left its architectural footprints, nature already formed little by little the beautiful cavities called “Canalettes” and a prehistoric cave which would be fortified later. At the confluence of three valleys, its strategic position justified it being the capital Conflent …
Villefranche-de-Conflant is also the starting point of the Yellow Train of Cerdagne: the famous line of the Yellow Train is the pride and symbol of the Catalan Pyrenees. The train carries the colours, “blood” and gold. Because of the colour gold, its nickname is « canary. » Taking the Yellow Train is the most breathtaking way to access the Cerdagne and the Regional Natural Park of the Catalan Pyrenees. You will be impressed!
Font-Romeu was elected by scientists to accommodate the installation of the solar furnaces of Mont-Louis and Odeillo because of its remarkable direct sunlight and clean air. These constructs allowed advanced scientific analysis and they served as models in the world, demonstrating the potential of solar energy and its many applications. As such, Font Romeu is an exceptional site and part of the French scientific heritage.
The memorial of Rivesaltes aspires to become the neuralgic center of the memory of internment in France. By its educational ambition, the number of communities whose nationals were interned or received – Spaniards, Jews, Gypsies or harkis – through the magic and dimensions of the museum site and the austere and respectful beauty of the building.
The fortress of Salses le Château is an example of military architecture and of the transition between the medieval castles and bastions of the modern era. At the limit of the boundary between Languedoc and Roussillon, between the mountains and the sea, Salses was the outpost of the Kingdom of Spain against France in the sixteenth century.
The Prehistorical Museum of Tautavel is a family trip to the past. The Prehistorical Museum of Tautavel, European Centre of Prehistory is a complex built around the Tautavel Man. It presents the history of humanity in Europe since the first European to the gates of History …
A nature reserve of 2 km. in Arles sur Tech. On the road to Prats de Mollo, gigantic red cliffs arise to heaven. They already reveal the harshness of the site and the frightening depths of the abyss. The wild stream flowing under the bridge is called “La Fou” (an old Catalan word meaning precipice) because it just crossed 2 km at the bottom of a narrow cut through the stony mountain …
Les Orgues” located north of Ille sur Tet, on the left bank of the river Tet, are precisely what geographers call « Badlands » and « fairy chimneys”. They’re sculptured this way due to the water running through and natural erosion. It is a unique landscape with colorful reliefs that water has carved in clay and sand, torn from the Pyrenean mountains and deposited in the Tet since 5 million years. A walk of about an hour takes you inside this masterpiece of nature and will challenge your imagination and emotion!
The Sigean African Reserve is a private zoo located on the Mediterranean coast, less than 30 minutes from Perpignan, in the town of Sigean, west of the Berre and south of the ponds that distinguish the Languedoc coast. It claims to give home to more than 3 800 animals (over 2 000 birds, 900 mammals and 900 reptiles) of at least 160 different species on 300 hectares.
Very nearby, Leucate and the pond of La Palme in the Aude have several Kite surfing schools. A unique sliding sport accessible to all. More information on the site WindyKite.
Oyster park in Leucate Fishermen and oyster farmers of the Oyster Centre will introduce you to their artisanry! Embark to discover the trade of sea fishing and the world of oyster farming, strolling along the pond to the oyster beds. Scenery and tasting on the menu!
Spain is only two steps away: a very short ride via the A9 and you can visit Figueras and the Dali Museum, Roses, Cadaqués, Besalú, Olot, Girona or why not Barcelona!