320 days of sunshine per year: it is not a legend…
The Pyrenees-Orientales is above all a tourist territory with multiple facets, between the sea and the mountains, but also very close to Spain.
The Catalan coastline gives you access to the Mediterranean Sea and its waters at the ideal temperature throughout the summer season. But also more than 40 km of long sandy beaches, 20 km of rocky coves with insolent beauty, fishing ports and marinas on both sides of the department…
With a glass of Muscat de Rivesaltes in hand, you will be enchanted by the famous Catalan art of living, which you will discover and recognize in the four corners of the territory, in contact with the locals, proud to share with you the Catalan culture and traditions.
The most athletic vacationers will be amazed by the large number ofsport activities that can be practiced both in the camping than in the rest of the Pyrénées-Orientales, from nautical activities to mountain biking or hiking, according to their desires, from strong emotion to escape… You can find all the tourist information on the website of the Tourist Office.
You will not be able to do or see everything. That’s why you will come back, and it will be a pleasure and an honor for us. Here, tourism is a real know-how.
Places not to be missed
We have selected for you the most important visits in the Pyrenees-Orientales that you will undoubtedly want to include among your escapades.
Sea side
The Catalan coastline, known to all for its long beaches and warm, crystal-clear waters, stands out for the presence of unusual, colorful and flowery villages.
Argelès-sur-Mer
The village
Situated at the foot of the Albères massif, which rises to an altitude of 1157 meters, the village of Argelès-sur-Mer combines green tourism and seaside tourism. This typical village of the Pyrenees-Orientales, between sea and mountain, will delight the sporty holidaymakers and those curious to discover the Catalan culture. You will appreciate its colorful houses and shops, the narrow and winding streets that make up the village, its 14th century church, its traditional markets throughout the year, its crafts, its festivities…
The port
On the marina of the village, you will find many restaurants and shops, so you will appreciate to walk around and even to moor there, if you are passing for several days. You can practice several nautical activities and rent boats, but also go to the harbour office. For more information, visit the city’s website.
The beach
The city of Argelès-sur-Mer has a vast sandy beach of more than 7 km, below the Albères massif, on which you will find several beach clubs. Near the rocky coast, you will also have the possibility of swimming in the coves of Portells and Ouille.
And for those days when the beach doesn’t tempt you, the Taxo les Pins campsite has a spa, a heated swimming pool as well as a water park with a 7 meter high slide.
Festivities:
- Luna Park
During July and August, you can also visit Luna Park, a funfair that covers more than one hectare, for the pleasure of young and old, with many attractions. More information on the official website of Luna Park.
- Animations at Camping Taxo les Pins
You should know that the Taxo les Pins campsite also offers many activities throughout the summer season. This summer, the latest generation show area The campsite will host magicians, music groups, karaoke nights, foam nights, look-alikes, comedians, lotto nights, staff shows, musicals, game nights, hypnotists, and many other quality nights and surprises… Something to delight all generations.
During the day, you can also take part in the numerous excursions organized by the 4-star Taxo les Pins campsite throughout the Pyrenees-Orientales department and in Spain.
Collioure
Only 10 km from your 4 star Taxo les Pins campsite and its wide variety of accommodations, you will find the charming town of Collioure.
The royal castle
This superb castle overlooking the bay of Collioure has belonged to the Conseil Départemental des Pyrénées-Orientales for several years. Its construction began in 1276 and was completed in 1344. It was occupied throughout history by many monarchs and their families, such as the Kings of Majorca, Charles V, then the Habsburgs and the Bourbons. It is now classified as a “Historic Monument” and has been since 1922. Visits are possible and the castle is open to the public. You will find all the information, prices and schedules on the official website.
Our Lady of the Angels Church
Symbol of the city, Notre-Dame-des-Anges is located on the seafront and overlooks one of the most popular beaches of Collioure.
The construction of this building began in 1984 and was completed in 1691, and its architectural style has undergone several modifications.
Indeed, built on the bases of an old church, it was at first a lighthouse, to which a bell tower was added, then a dome.
Breathtaking views
On both sides of the city, you can find frames that will allow you to immortalize the most beautiful images of your visit to Collioure. Many places will also offer you extraordinary views of the Bay of Collioure and its many creeks, but also of the Rocky Coast, such as the Madeloc Tower, the Fort St Elme, the Cortina mill, or the Green Lighthouse.
Its port and its alleys
If you have the time, get lost in the many narrow streets of the seaside village of Collioure, a must-see tourist spot in the Pyrenees-Orientales. You will find decorated and flowered village houses that will allow you to reach the numerous restaurants and cafés where it is good to relax on the terrace. Finally, end with a stroll on the marina of Collioure which offers a view on the whole Bay.
Banyuls-sur-Mer
Another unmissable village on the Côte Vermeille is Banyuls-sur-Mer, known for its picturesque appearance and Catalan traditions. You will find beautiful beaches, but also many hiking trails and walks allowing you to admire the vineyards of the city, several picturesque hamlets and many hundred-year-old olive trees, witness of the authenticity of the land of Banyulen.
Anxious to highlight its know-how, the city organizes each year the Festival of New Olive Oil.
You will learn more about this culture and will probably want to discover the Oliveraies de la Baillaury planted in terraces, where you can discover the production of olives and all the products that result from it (prepared olives, soaps, oils, tapenades).
Finally, the olive grove also has an “Oil Bar” in the heart of Mas Reig, where you can taste the fruit of the production and especially the olive oils and tapenades.
Canet-en-Roussillon
About twenty minutes by car from the Taxo les Pins campsite, you can visit the town of Canet, its village, its beaches and its pond.
The beach
Cleaned daily, the 9 km of fine sandy beach in the town of Canet are ideal for bathers of all ages and therefore perfect for families.
Swimming is supervised throughout the summer season and the shallow waters have been awarded the “European Blue Flag” label, which attests to the quality of the water.
You can practice many water activities such as kite surfing, sailing, jet skiing, catamaran, windsurfing, stand up paddle and diving.
Thalassotherapy & Balneotherapy
Located in Canet Plage, the Thalasso Spa des Flamants Roses welcomes you for your thalassotherapy and well-being treatments, on three floors and more than 1200m².
The 4 star hotel Host & Vinum offers you to discover the benefits of balneo in its institute Le Spa by Sothys. Enjoy the hammam and appreciate the skills of the beauticians during the treatments. The Spa is open daily to outside guests and hotel guests.
The Pond
The pond of Canet-en-Roussillon covers an area of about 4.8 km² and its depth is variable, but does not exceed one meter. It is a preserved area, classified as a “Natura 2000” site with the aim of protecting the 246 species of birds living in the wild, including the pink flamingo, purple heron, kingfisher, white stilt, great egret, and marsh harrier.
At the edge of the pond, you will also be able to observe the “fishermen’s village” and the ten wooden huts that make it up. Here you can taste the eel boil, a traditional dish prepared with eel, potato, chilli and garlic.
Picking seasonal fruits and vegetables
The Arboretum of the city of Canet offers locals and tourists to come and pick fruits and vegetables. Depending on the season, you can harvest cherries, apricots, peaches, nectarines and figs. The orchard is open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8:30am to 12:00pm. (For more information contact the CCEAME at 04.68.64.32.82). You can also observe more than 500 species of plants, most of them rare.
Port-Vendres
In the south of the Pyrénées-Orientales, close to the border with Spain, the village of Port-Vendres is an essential stopover in the region. You will appreciate its vineyards, its hiking trails, its beaches only 1.5 km from the heart of the city, but also its famous “Anses”, the most famous being the “Anse de Paulille“, and its deep-water port where fishermen and boaters meet.
Mountain side
The Pyrenees-Orientales and their highest point, the Pic du Canigou, are a paradise for walkers and hikers looking for breathtaking landscapes.
Abbey Saint-Martin du Canigou
A must-see tourist site in the Pyrénées-Orientales, theSaint-Martin-du-Canigou Abbey was built in the 11th century and dominates the entire Cady valley.
It is accessible on foot, with a short walk of 30 to 50 minutes in the heart of the Canigou massif but also by car during the whole summer season, through a VTC company (info and reservation atTourist Office Conflent Canigou at 04.68.05.41.02).
Long abandoned, the Abbey of Saint-Martin-du-Canigou was bought and restored by a local owner and entrusted to the Community of the Beatitudes, whose main missions are prayer and spiritual and tourist welcome. The Abbey is also a stage on the road to Santiago de Compostela.
Nota Bene : As the abbey is occupied by a religious community, the abbey only offers guided tours of about one hour.
The public baths of Saint-Thomas
After your hikes in the Conflent and the Massif du Canigou, you can relax at the Saint-Thomas baths, an exceptional place, located in the heart of the town of Fontpédrouse, at an altitude of more than 1150 m and enjoy the benefits of its spring water, which gushes out naturally at 58°C.
The complex of Saint-Thomas-les-Bains, whose waters are known for their virtues on the skin, is articulated around two principal spaces: an external amphitheatre composed of three pools and several outdoor Jacuzzis; and an indoor wellness area, which offers visitors three steam rooms, two large Jacuzzis, a sauna, and several massage and treatment rooms.
The organs of Ille-sur-Têt
The natural tourist site of the Orgues de l’Ille-sur-Têt is a unique place in France, a mineral and singular landscape resulting from the erosion of various limestone rocks.
This rare geological phenomenon, nicknamed “fairy chimneys”, has been classified as an “exceptional heritage” since 1981 and is managed by the town hall of Ille-sur-Têt, which takes to heart the preservation of this protected site.
Its access is regulated; visits are limited by an entrance fee and authorized for a duration of 45 minutes during opening hours only (schedules and rates on the official website).
Earth side
Further down, in the heart of the Catalan lands, we find a rich cultural and historical heritage marked by the History…
Salses le Château
An emblematic tourist site in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, the fortress of Salses is located on the border of the Aude, between the Corbières and the Salses-Leucate lake.
Erected in the XVᵉ century, it is the result of a brand new architectural style, at the junction of two eras, the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. An incredible architectural jewel, this unique and singular monument is visited each year by more than 90,000 visitors.
The numerous thematic and night visits that are organized there seduce the amateurs ofastrology, plants, but also the lovers of natural sites since it is classified zone Natura 2000, thanks to the numerous varieties of bats that one can observe there.
Perpignan
Only a few kilometers from the Catalan coast, you will find the city of Perpignan, a true testimony to the history of the Pyrenees-Orientales region. Walking through the heart of the historic center, you can visit the Castillet and its museum, a monument made of brick and marble, emblem of the city.
Strolling along the Têt, on the Quai Sébastien Vauban, you will encounter the Halles Vauban, a real place of life and representation of the Catalan art of living, inaugurated in 2017.
Finally, you can visit one of the city’s main tourist sites, the Palace of the Kings of Majorca, a huge building with both Gothic and Romanesque architecture, whose ramparts offer a view of the entire Catalan coast.
Villages labelled “Most beautiful village in France
The department of the Pyrénées-Orientales also has four villages that have been awarded the “Most Beautiful Village in France” label.
Castelnou
Among the most beautiful villages of France, we find the medieval village of Castelnou. Picturesque and welcoming, it preserves the traces of its history thanks to its viscount castle and its pretty paved streets, while offering a splendid point of view on the Pyrenees and more precisely the Pic du Canigou.
Eus
In the heart of the Conflent is Eus, one of the sunniest villages in France. Dominated by theSaint-Vincent church, this adorable entirely pedestrian village, both authentic and atypical, is distinguished by the presence of cobbled streets, but also of an abundant vegetation, composed of holm oaks, of mimosas, from bougainvillea, cactus, but also many orchards of lemon trees and peach trees which when they are in bloom embellish more this village on the side of mountain.
Evol
Located in the heart of the Regional Natural Park of the Catalan Pyrenees, the hamlet of Evol is a quiet village where you will enjoy walking. Walking through its picturesque and winding streets, you can see the typical houses with slate walls and roofs and their flowered courtyards…
Villefranche de Conflent
At the confluence of the 3 valleys of the Têt, the Rotja and the Cady, lies the fortified city of Villefranche de Conflent, whose strategic location once made it the capital of the Conflent. This citadel, very marked by its history, keeps traces of its medieval past, such as the Viguerie tower, the Liberia Fort, and the ramparts, recently listed as World Heritage by UNESCO.
