Tourist sites around our House

Situation


The Pyrénées-Orientales department is bounded to the north by the Corbières and the department of Aude, to the west by the Canigou massif, emblematic mountain of Roussillon, to the south by the Albères chain, the natural border between France and Spain and to the east by the Mediterranean Sea.

 

Between Sea and Montain

Collioure

High places of tourism of the Pyrenees-Orientales, Collioure, at the edge of the Mediterranean sea, is a marvel of the rocky coast.
To discover: the typical small streets and their artists' galleries, the port and its Catalan boats, the Royal Castle, Fort Saint Elme, the Maison du Fauvisme and the museum of modern art (for painting lovers).
❤❤ The little tourist train, which brings you to Port Vendres by making you discover magnificent panorama.

Banyuls sur Mer

Nestled in the heart of the Côte Radieuse, Banyuls sur Mer is not only a summer tourist destination, it is above all a wine village, very lively whatever the season.
To discover: the Maillol museum, the biodiversarium of the Arago laboratory, the vineyards on the terrace, the natural sweet wines "Banyuls".
❤❤ The underwater trail of the marine natural reserve of Cerbère - Banyuls, to discover in a palm-trek, accessible to all.

L 'Anse de Paulilles

Between the sea and the mountains, far from mass tourism, the classified site of Anse de Paulliles is the pride of Catalans.
To discover: Bernadi beach, the site of the former dynamiterie and its museum, the Mediterranean garden, the workshop for the restoration of Catalan boats.
❤❤ The coastal path which leaves from Racou, passes by l’Anse de Paulilles and goes to Cerbères, or Cadaques (in southern Catalonia) for the more informed.

Sainte-Marie la Mer en Roussillon

Sainte-Marie la Mer in Roussillon, is a small village, certainly touristy in summer, but which has kept its soul.
To discover: the beaches with a family atmosphere, the old village with its trompe l'oeil paintings and the works of artists scattered around there, at every street corner (map of the village, with indication of the works available at the tourist office).
❤❤ Free parking lots, to spend a day at the beach without breaking the bank.

Castelnou

In the heart of Aspres, Castelnou has remained intact for 10 centuries, classified "Most beautiful village of France", it really deserves to be visited.
To discover: The small streets of the village, a little slippery in rainy weather, but so typical. The medieval castle, the artists' workshops are their creations, the small hand-picked market of local producers, every Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. in July and August.
❤❤ The hikes around the village, with exceptional panorama of the whole plain of Roussillon.

Thuir

With its 8,000 inhabitants, Thuir, 7 km from Mas du Sabartes, is not a tourist town like that found by the sea; It lives all year round and offers a wide choice of quality shops and restaurants.
To discover: The essential "Caves Byrrh", with the largest oak lightning in the world, the city and its local produce shops.
❤❤ The market with many local producers every Saturday morning from 8h to 12h.

Les Orgues d'Illes sur Têt

Historical heritage of the Pyrénées-Orientales and true mineral gem, the classified natural site of Orgues is a unique place in France, an ephemeral landscape of fairy chimneys with fragile beauty.
❤❤ The timeless stroll.

Prieuré de Serrabone


Nestled in a preserved nature, both wild and green, the Sainte-Marie priory in Serrabona is worth a detour, both for its magnificent site and for its remarkable artistic heritage.
❤❤ The botanical garden of the Priory rich in Mediterranean plants.

Villefranche de Conflent

Nestled in the hollow of the Têt valley, 440 m above sea level, Villefranche de Conflent is a city fortified by Vauban and listed since 2008 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
To discover: the city and its craft workshops, fortifications, Fort Liberia. ❤❤ The underground and its 1000 steps that connects the city to Fort Liberia.

Les Grandes Canalettes

Located in the town of Villefranche de Conflent, the Grandes Canalettes are an archaeological complex of several caves, some of them impressive. Very well appointed and accessible to all respecting the instructions.
❤❤ The sound and light show every hour from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the summer period.

Abbaye de Saint-Martin du Canigou

Located in the heart of the Canigou massif, on an eagle's nest, the former Benedictine abbey Saint-Martin-du-Canigou, is a jewel of regional Romanesque art
A place that deserves: access to the abbey can only be done on foot, starting from Casteils, count 40 minutes walk and a vertical drop of 300 m ...
❤❤ The tranquility and fullness that emanate from the site.

Forteresse de Salses

The fortress of Salses is a military work built between 1497 and 1502 by the Spanish Catholic kings, Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella of Castile. Following the Treaty of Pyrenees in 1659, it lost its strategic importance. The fortress will be partially restored by Vauban from 1691. ❤❤ The guided tour.

Château Cathare de Quéribus

Located in the town of Cucugnan (Aude), the Quéribus castle stands on an impressive rocky peak at 728 meters above sea level. Point of defense of the Cathar country, this royal fortress fell to the crusaders in 1255.
❤❤ The splendid panoramas from the keep: the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean, passing through the Roussillon plain and the Corbières.

Château  Cathare de Peyrepertuse

In a majestic site, in the heart of the Corbières, culminating at almost 800 m, stretches the long almost camouflaged silhouette of the castle of Peyrepertuse. Our ancestors of the Middle Ages found there a natural fortification. Reputed to be impregnable, this fortified castle is one of the most beautiful examples of fortification in the Cathar country.
❤❤ The feeling of being between God and Men ...

Perpignan

Prefecture of the Pyrénées-Orientales and Capital of northern Catalonia, Perpignan "La Catalane" is a city steeped in history.
To discover: the palace of the Kings of Majorca, the Castillet, the sumptuous Pams hotel, the city center, the Hyacinthe-Rigaud museum ... ❤❤ "Visa pour l'image": international photojournalism festival which takes place every year from the end of August to the middle of September.

Elne

To discover: the 11th century Sainte-Eulalie-et-Sainte-Julie cathedral, the 14th century cloister, the upper town, the Swiss maternity hospital.
❤❤ The "Tropic of the butterfly": hundreds of butterflies in total freedom in a tropical garden.