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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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!