The former Benedictine Abbey of Saint-Génis-des-Fontaines, founded in the 8th century, has kept a church dedicated to St Michael as a reminder of its monastic past; the west door is remarkable for its superb Romanesque white marble lintel. Embellished by a representation of Christ in Majesty, this lintel dating from 1019-1020 is the oldest dated Romanesque stone sculpture! A 13th century cloister, remarkable for its multi-coloured marble, will round off your visit.

The imposing Cathedral of St Eulalia and St Julia (Sainte-Eulalie-et-Sainte-Julie) towers above the charming little town of Elne. Built in the 11th and 12th centuries, it is a magnificent example of Catalonian Romanesque art. The medieval cloister adjacent to Elne Cathedral was once the residence of the cathedral's canons, and is one of the most beautiful in France... Dating from the 12th to the 14th century, the Elne cloister in white, blue-veined marble, listed as an Historic Building, is famous for its Romanesque and Gothic sculptures. Utterly beautiful, its sculpted capitals, the oldest of which are in the southern gallery, display a variety of designs representing biblical figures, animals and plants. This is a completely remarkable architectural ensemble which will, without a doubt, delight lovers of religious art!

Nestling at the base of the Albères Massif, the famous seaside resort of Argelès-sur-Mer combines all the necessary ingredients for a great holiday, whether you're enjoying sports or relaxing. The 7 km vast sandy beach, the 12 hectares of pine forest by the sea, and the 3 km tree-lined esplanade make it a most enjoyable place to stay. There are numerous leisure activities which can be enjoyed here on land and sea.

Argelès-sur-Mer also has its old town area with typical side streets, a marina with boutiques and restaurants, and a traditional market rich in local produce.

Each July there is a three-day contemporary music festival, the Déferlantes d'Argelès-sur-Mer, featuring famous artists.

Tucked between the Mediterranean Sea and the Albères massif, the spa resort of Le Boulou enjoys an ideal geographical position.

Its thermal baths, specialising in the treatment of cardio-vascular and digestive system conditions, are set in the verdant scenery of a park full of exotic species. A spa dispensing beauty and well-being treatments offers fans of relaxation a moment of serenity and rest.

The Church of St Mary has a Romanesque white marble entrance with a sculpted border, the work of the Master of Cabestany.

The pearl of the Vermillion Coast, the little town of Collioure, prized by painters, makes an incredibly picturesque, enchanting scene...It is a picture postcard place, with its royal castle by the sea, its port with local boats, its small pebbly beaches, its café terraces, the old town with its coloured façades and its emblematic pink-domed bell-tower! A wonderful scene which you can admire from the chapel of Saint-Vincent Island, from the esplanade at the foot of the château or again from the edges of the Pams gardens...

Dating back to the 17th century, the church of Our Lady of the Angels (Notre-Dame-des-Anges) contains true treasures of baroque art: nine superb altarpieces, whose richly detailed sculpting will never fail to enchant lovers of sacred heritage! Particularly remarkable is the high altarpiece, the work of the Catalonian artist Joseph Sunyer.

The imposing Royal Castle of Collioure, built in the 13th -17th centuries, is open to the public. Between 1276 and 1344 it was the summer residence of the Kings of Majorca.

At the foot of the Albères mountain, by the Mediterranean Sea, we find Port-Vendres, a little resort on the Vermillion Coast famous for its fishing port.

To the east of Port-Vendres is the beginning of the Cap Béar way, a superb coast road in unspoilt countryside...

The Natura 2000 listed great site of Paulilles Bay should not be missed, with its museum area within a former dynamite works, where there is an exhibition of working life in bygone days.

Famous for its vast marina, the agreeable seaside resort of Saint-Cyprien, situated on the Roussillon coast, is also well-known for its beautiful, long beach of fine sand, which extends over 6 km. It has everything to delight lovers of yachting in the Mediterranean, as well as those who enjoy sunbathing and water sports...A great number of organised outdoor activities are available on site, as well as the many events that take place in the summer.

The capital of Vallespir, nestling at the base of the Albères massif, the welcoming Catalonian town of Céret unites tradition with modernity with its shady avenues and tall plane trees.

The Porte d'Espagne, a relic of the town's medieval ramparts, houses the Françoise Claustre Heritage Centre in its guard tower: an archaeological museum which has collections from Prehistory to the Middle Ages, including items unearthed during digs in the Vallespir.

Céret's famous, unmissable Museum of Modern Art, on the Boulevard Maréchal Joffre, displays a remarkable range of art from the 20th century. Inspired by the great artists who passed through or stayed in the town and the local area, it displays work by famous artists who have made a mark on the 20th century, such as Picasso, Matisse, Chagall, Dufy and Masson.

Each year in July, the Sardane Festival takes place, celebrating the sardane, a renowned Catalonian dance...all in a joyously festive spirit!

Nestling At the heart of the Vermillion Coast, at the foot of the famous terraced vineyard, the delightful seaside town of Banyuls-sur-Mer, home town of the sculptor Aristide Maillol, offers its visitors and holidaymakers a marvellous range of things to explore. With its seafront esplanade, dotted with palm trees, the sandy and pebbly beaches, the marina, thalassotherapy institute, wine cellars, and also the aquarium of the Arago Laboratory, which displays Mediterranean fauna, the underwater path of the marine nature reserve of Cerbère-Banyuls, and the Mediterranean garden of Mas de la Serre, Banyuls-sur-Mer really provides a wide range of attractions!

The Maillol museum is found a few kilometres from the town centre, on the former smallholding of the artist. It pays homage to the famous Catalonian sculptor with a substantial collection of sculptures. His tomb rests in the garden near "La Méditerranée", a statue sculpted by Aristide Maillol.

A source of inspiration for many highly regarded artists, such as Matisse, Picasso, Dufy and Derain, the Vermillion Coast possesses a unique charm, with natural and built treasures spreading out along the Mediterranean coast of the Pyrénées-Orientales. Interspersed with rocky coves, little beaches, fishing villages and charming spots, this marvellous area of the Roussillon coastline is overlooked by the famous Banyuls vineyards.

The Vermillion Coast is prized by divers as well as ramblers. The pleasant paths which traverse this land give the opportunity to enjoy superb panoramic views, especially from the 650 metre high Madeloc tower, where the view encompasses Collioure, Port-Vendres, Banyuls-sur-Mer and the Albères Massif! Another unmissable view can be enjoyed at Cap Rédéris, with its orientation table overlooking the sea and the wild coastline...

As for gastronomy, you have the opportunity to taste delicious seafood and discover the vineyards of the Vermillion Coast by tasting the sweet wines from Banyuls available in many local wine cellars.

With its sea air, sunshine, gastronomic specialities, beautiful landscapes, as well as varied sporting activities, this area has everything to guarantee a wonderful holiday!

Situated thirty kilometres form the Spanish border, Perpignan, city of Art and History, retains from its past as the former continental capital of the kingdom of Majorca an historic centre of harmonious architecture, predominantly in the Gothic style.

Constructed at the end of the 14th century, then modified under Louis XI, the celebrated Castillet, the terrace of which gives an uninterrupted view over the roofs of the city, is the symbol of Perpignan. Once you have passed through the imposing fortified entrance, stroll along the little streets of shops, then set off to discover the treasures of the old town: the 14th-18th century Cathedral of St John the Baptist, topped with a wrought-iron bell tower, the choir of which has a 17th century marble altarpiece and whose Devout Christ chapel holds a 14th century woodcarving of Christ; the old funeral cloister of Saint-Jean from the beginning of the 14th century - the Campo Santo - the largest and oldest of this type in France; the Place de la Loge with its remarkable Gothic style building, the Loge de Mer; a palace-fortress of the Kings of Majorca from the 13th and 14th centuries, and its gardens overlooking the town; the forecourt of the Town Hall with its bronze statue by the sculptor Maillol, "La Méditerranée"...

You can also enjoy a moment of relaxation, ambling around the heart of the Bir Hakeim square or along the majestic Promenade des Platanes, with its many statues.

The Castillet, which was a gateway to the town then a state prison before being classed as an Historic Building in 1889, is now home to a museum which traces the history of North Catalonia from Antiquity to the present day.

Each year, around 23 April, the festival of Sant Jordi, the patron saint of Catalonia, is celebrated. Place Gambetta is transformed into a real open air bookshop, where the book is given pride of place by of publishers, writers and booksellers. Full of things to see and do, this special day is also that of the rose, which has been celebrated here since the 15th century!

The large, Blue-Flag approved seaside resort of Canet-en-Roussillon has 9 km of beaches of fine sand, with everything to delight fans of swimming and sunbathing...In Canet-en-Roussillon, there are also lots of water sports activities! Windsurfing, kitesurfing, beach volleyball, kayaking, paddle boarding and jet skiing are all available here. A slot machine arcade as well as restaurants, cafés and discos provide plenty of night-time entertainment.

The Natura 2000 listed site of Canet Pond is a place of choice for a great number of wild birds. Bird-lovers are invited to enjoy a peaceful walk along its Discovery Path, which has hides along the way.

Under no circumstances should you leave the Pyrénées-Orientales until you have paid a little visit to Castelnou. Superbly preserved, this medieval village is worth a detour for many reasons! Lying at the foot of a feudal castle, the former capital of the viscountcy of Vallespir invites its visitors to travel in time...

Once they have stepped through the monumental Caselnou door, lovers of old buildings can only be amazed by the harmony found in this fabulous village. Picturesque little streets bedecked with flowers and lined with stone houses, the remains of ramparts interspersed with towers, the 10th-century viscount's castle, and art and craft shops make the walk a real enchantment...

Beyond the fortified enclosure is the Church of St Mary of Mercadal (Sainte-Marie du Mercadal), which has furniture from the baroque period.

Situated along the River Tech, at 230m in altitude, at the heart of the Vallespir conservation area, the spa resort of Amélie-les-Bains, famous for its gentle climate and hot, sulphurous springs, is an invitation to relaxation and rejuvenation. Having two spas, the Roman Spa and the Mondony Spa, Amélie-les-Bains is ideal for people seeking treatment as well as those who are there simply for pleasure.

The pretty medieval village of Palalda is 2km north of the resort; with its little flower-bedecked streets it deserves to be seen.

Bearing the Blue Flag and Station Kid labels, the great seaside resort of Port-Barcarès, on the Pyrénées-Orientales coast, has an immense beach of fine sand which stretches over 8 km. In the summer, there are lots of water sports here for youngsters and grown-ups, especially water-skiing.

Also worthy of exploration is the Lydia, a liner which has stood on the sand since 1967. Now it is home to a casino, a restaurant and a disco, and nearby, along the beach, is the Allée des Arts, a walk featuring many contemporary sculptures ...

At the foot of the Corbières, in the commune of Salses-le-Château, stands a gem of Spanish military architecture: the fortress of Salses, fortifications built at the end of the 15th century by order of the Spanish Catholic royals, Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella of Castile, to protect the frontier between Spain and the kingdom of France...

Supposedly impregnable, this substantial fortified castle, modified by Vauban in 1691 and now open to the public throughout the year, reveals its former function through features typical of defensive architecture: ditches, escarpments, drawbridges, a keep, artillery towers, curtain walls and demi-lunes.

This exceptional site, listed as an Historic Building, regularly hosts exhibitions of work by contemporary artists.

Nestling at the heart of the Corbières Maritimes, in the Regional Natural Park of Narbonne in the Mediterranean, is the seaside resort of Leucate, which has a Blue Flag label, eight beaches and 18 kilometres of fine sand! A dream for lovers of relaxation and water sports...

A paradise for fans of board sports, Leucate and its little resort of La Franqui, full of retro charm, are great places to practise kitesurfing, sand yachting, windsurfing, stand-up paddle boarding and also kite-flying, thanks to the Tramontane wind which blows more than 300 days a year...

Leucate is also a typical village with a busy, lively square, a naturists' area, and a huge marina, Port-Leucate, which is one of the largest marinas in the European Mediterranean!

It is also a favoured spot for nature walks, like for example along the Cap Leucate cliffs, along Coussoles beach, listed by Natura 2000, or by the banks of Lake Salses-Leucate. Be sure to visit the Lake House (Maison de l'Étang), in the oyster-farming centre, which seeks to raise awareness of the natural heritage of Lake Salses-Leucate.

The high point of the board sports calendar is when the Mondial du Vent de Leucate-La Franqui takes place every year in the Easter holidays. As well as kitesurfing, windsurfing and stand-up paddle board competitions, there are numerous demonstrations and lots of entertainment!

Perched on the top of a rocky peak, at 507 m in altitude, the site of the Hermitage of Força Réal, accessible from the Col de la Bataille by the D38 road, near to Millas, is a marvellous belvedere overlooking Roussillon. It offers a superb 360° panorama, which takes in the Roussillon plain, the Vermillion Coast, the Canigou massif and the Corbières!

In Upper Vallespir, at 735 m in altitude on the left bank of the Tech, stands the thousand-year-old town of Prats-de-Mollo. It has an authentic feel, with its unspoilt natural environment, its ramparts, its fortified church and its picturesque little streets. The Guillème stream runs through this little medieval town, which was remodelled by Vauban and is ideal for a relaxing stroll. The fortified gates, the Church of Saintes-Juste-et-Ruffine and its beautiful Baroque furnishings, and the covered walk leading to 17th-century Fort Lagarde, perched in the heights of Prats-de-Mollo, are all admirable reminders of the past.

A high point in the town's year is the unusual Bear Festival, in February, when a traditional carnival commemorates an old legend...

8 km away from Prats-de-Mollo, you can discover La Preste thermal spa, a haven for relaxation and rejuvenation, with its thermal water pool and beauty and well-being treatments.

In the Boulès valley, At the heart of a holm oak forest in the commune of Boule-d'Amont, stands an early 11th-century Romanesque priory. Nestling in a wild, green natural setting, the priory of St Mary of Serrabona (Sainte-Marie de Serrabona) is worth going out of your way to see, as much for its magnificent site as its remarkable artistic heritage.

Once inside the church, admire the splendid pink marble rostrum and the sculpted capitals. These are adorned by floral motifs, angels and animals, and are a superb example of the Romanesque art of Roussillon...As well as the treasure of this Romanesque sculpture, you'll find another gem: the south gallery of the cloister, with archways opening on to a beautiful area of greenery.

A delightful botanic garden surrounds the priory, full of Mediterranean plants.

Thought to be one of the sunniest villages in France, Eus can also boast of being amongst the most beautiful villages in the country. Perched on a hill of granite, between the Conflent Valley and Mount Canigou, At the heart of the Pyrénées-Orientales, Eus is certainly worth going out of your way to see! Not just for its viewpoints over the surrounding countryside, but also for its delightful little cobbled, sloping streets. At the top of the village, at the site of an ancient castle, stands the imposing 18th-century church of Saint-Vincent-d'en-Haut.

A European Prehistory Centre, the Tautavel Museum, can be found at the heart of the Corbières, in the Pyrénées-Orientales. It is dedicated to the Prehistoric period and more particularly to the discoveries made on the Caune de l'Arago site, where the famous Tautavel Man was found, an ancient Preneanderthal Man who is 450,000 years old.

Come and meet the oldest man ever found on French soil, through exhibitions spread over 1,500 square metres of galleries! Take advantage of our modern museum layout to explore our archaeological collections and admire our life-sized reconstruction of the Caune de l'Arago, where the skull of the Tautavel Man was discovered in 1971.

There are temporary exhibitions, events based on Prehistoric times. The Tautavel Man Days in July, the Festival of Prehistory in August and the Prehistoric Arms Shooting Competition in May are among the highlights of our calendar of events.

Completely in the heart of the Corbières massif, near the village of Cucugnan, made famous by Alphonse Daudet's book Letters from my Windmill (Lettres de mon Moulin), stands the Cathar castle of Quéribus, at the summit of a narrow, rocky peak. This medieval fortress, located at an altitude of 728 metres, is recognisable by its imposing keep surrounded by three successive walls... A refuge for the Cathar faithful during the Albigensian crusade, the citadel of Quéribus was the last stronghold of Cathar resistance to fall into the hands of the crusaders in 1255.

Accessible in about ten minutes along a steep path, the Quéribus site has an astonishing panoramic view from the terrace of its polygon-shaped keep - you can see the Corbières, the Roussillon plain, the Mediterranean and the Pyrenees! The superb Gothic room in the keep, with its ribbed arches, will also be a highlight of any visit.

Founded in the 12th century by the canons of St Sepulchre, Marcevol Priory, located at an altitude of 560 m in the commune of Arboussols, enjoys a magnificent panoramic view over the Têt Valley and the Caigou massif. Besides its utterly beautiful, peaceful natural setting, the Romanesque Marcevol Priory, superbly restored by a group of volunteers, is also worth visiting because of its splendid pink marble door, topped by a bell tower wall with four bay windows. Inside the church, which has three naves, an ancient fresco has been preserved of Christ in Majesty.

As a cultural centre, Marcevol Priory regularly hosts exhibitions, courses and concerts.

At the foot of the Canigou, close to Prades, in the commune of Codalet amid rustic orchard scenery, stands a monastery topped with a magnificent Romanesque bell tower with geminated bays. Founded in the 9th century, The Abbey of Saint-Michel de Cuxa is nowadays occupied by a community of Benedictine monks attached to Montserrat.

A visit to this serene place enables you to discover its architectural treasures: the large pre-Romanesque church, consecrated in 974; the utterly beautiful cloister, partly reconstructed, the pink marble capitals of which are a remarkable example of Romanesque sculpture; the crypt in the early Romanesque style with the chapel of the Virgin of the Crib...

Renowned for its exceptional acoustics, each summer in July and August, the Abbey of Cuxa holds concerts of chamber music, as part of the famous Pablo Casals festival.

At the heart of the Pyrénées-Orientales, between Villefranche-de-Conflent and Latour-de-Carol, not far from the Spanish border, the famous Yellow Train is in circulation the whole year round. Displaying the Catalonian colours of red and yellow has, it has earned the nickname of the Canary. It follows an impressive 63 km long route along the national railway line, the highest in France, and crosses wonderful mountainous landscapes. During this unique journey, there are spectacular panoramic views, two extraordinary bridges – the viaduct of Séjourné and the Gisclard suspension bridge – and 19 tunnels.

Listed as a World Heritage site by the UNESCO because of its fortifications by Vauban, the fortified village of Villefranche-de-Conflent, situated at the confluence of the Têt, the Cady and the Rotja, at the foot of Mount Canigou, was founded at the end of the 11th century by a Count of Cerdanya, in order to protect the valleys from invasion. It was then reinforced by Vauban in the 17th century, after the Treaty of the Pyrenees of 1659, to ensure its safety and that of Conflent.

Encircled by solid fortifications, the medieval village of Villefranche-de-Conflent also features in the list of the most beautiful villages in France. Visitors who love old buildings can explore this ancient heritage: ramparts with fortified doors, the picturesque street, the Rue Saint-Jean, with many house fronts which figure in the inventory of Historic Monuments, the Saint-Pierre bridge over the Têt, the town hall belfry tower, the Church of St James (Saint-Jacques) with its beautiful 12th-century carved pink marble entrance... Art galleries, souvenir shops and local craft shops all offer plenty for shopaholics to enjoy.

On the heights above Villefranche-de-Conflent you can see the outline of Fort Libéria, like a sentinel majestically overlooking the medieval village and the confluence of the three valleys. This remarkable edifice with wall-walks was constructed by Vauban in 1681, then reinforced in the 19th century under Napoleon III. An underground stairway called ‘The thousand steps', which has 734 steps in fact, connects the fort with the village of Villefranche-de-Conflent. The Fort is accessible on foot for braver souls but can also be reached using the 4x4 shuttle bus which goes from the village.

Not to be missed is a trip on the yellow train, which goes from Villefranche-de-Conflent, for a fabulous adventure in the high plateaux of Cerdanya!

Nestling at the base of Mount Canigou, at the heart of the Catalan Pyrenees Regional Nature Park, the spa resort of Vernet-les-Bains is an approved green holiday resort (station verte label). The gentle climate, the beautiful countryside and the harmonious architecture guarantee a wonderful holiday for tourists and those taking the waters.

As well as its Belle Époque spa district, at the heart of which lies a pleasant park full of different plants, discover the old village with picturesque little cobbled streets, overlooked by the castle tower and the Church of St Saturnin.

To set off exploring the Belle Époque heritage of the resort, don't hesitate to follow the Kipling Path, a circuit dotted with information boards erected by the Tourist Office. This will give you the opportunity to admire the remarkable plant heritage, which, with more than 2000 trees and 320 different species identified, makes Vernet-les-Bains a real village arboretum!

Specialising in the treatment of rheumatic and bronco-pulmonary complaints, the Spas of Vernet-les-Bains offer an ideal space for well-being and relaxation, as well as spa therapies.

Around the resort, numerous pedestrian and mountain bike tracks will delight those who love to ramble.

At the heart of the Canigou massif, at an altitude of 1094 metres on a rocky spur which overlooks the Cady Valley, stands the Abbey of Saint-Martin du Canigou, founded in 1001 by a Count of Cerdanya.

Full of serenity, this haven of peace, nestled in a magnificent environment, both peaceful and verdant, is only accessible on foot – about a 40 minute climb – departing from the village of Casteil.

Today occupied by the Béatitudes community, the Abbey of Saint-Martin du Canigou, listed as an Historic Building, has preserved some beautiful reminders of the past: the lower church, mostly underground, dedicated to Our Lady Under the Earth (Notre-Dame-sous-Terre); the higher 11th-century church, consecrated to St Martin; the cloister and its marble capitals...So many gems of Romanesque architecture to admire during a guided tour.

At the approach to the Abbey, a stairway will lead you to a viewpoint from where you will have a breath-taking view over the whole monastery!

Canigou, the Catalonian's sacred mountain, steeped in mystery and legend and culminating at an altitude of 2784 metres, majestically overlooks the Roussillon plain and the Mediterranean Sea. Situated near to Prades, this Pyrenean mountain is even more impressive in winter, when its snow-covered outline is seen clearly against the surrounding countryside of the coast...

Highly prized by ramblers, the climb to the peak of Canigou, which is possible from June to September, has some magnificent viewpoints. To climb this emblematic Eastern Pyrenean mountain, walkers have two possible departure points: from the Chalet des Cortalets (2150 m in altitude, 3h30 return trip); or from the Mariailles refuge (1718 m in altitude, 8h return trip). At the summit, a spectacular panorama of the Pyrenees mountain range, the Roussillon plain and the Mediterranean coast will make up for all the effort expended during the climb! It is, however, essential to consult the weather forecast before setting off, because fog and storms can make the climb dangerous.

On the first Sunday in August, the famous and testing Canigou Race (Course du Canigou) is held, a mountain race of 34km from Vernet-les-Bains to the summit of the Canigou and back, a climb of 2180 metres!