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.

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!

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.

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.

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 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.

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 ...

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.

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!

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 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!

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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 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!

Prades, the capital of the Conflent, is situated at the foot of the Canigou, at the confluence of several rivers. This welcoming little town contains a marvellous artistic heritage. Its Church of St Peter (Saint-Pierre), dating from the 12th and 17th centuries, is a must-see site and well worth a visit. In fact its choir houses a splendid Baroque altarpiece dedicated to St Peter. Listed as an Historic Building, this remarkable work by the Catalonian sculptor Joseph Sunyer is the largest Baroque altar piece in France! Also to be admired is the church's treasure room, where there is a collection of relics, precious metal pieces and a statue of Our Lady of the Volta dating from the 14th century.

For those who love local produce, in the pretty square adjoining the church there is a producers' market every Saturday morning. Also there is a bigger market in Prades town centre on Tuesday mornings.

Created in 1950 by the celebrated Catalonian cellist Pablo Casals, the Pablo Casals Festival, which is entirely devoted to chamber music, takes place each summer in different ancient buildings in the Pyrénées-Orientales, such as the Church of Saint-Pierre de Prades, the Abbey of Saint-Michel de Cuxa, the Abbey of Saint-Martin du Canigou and the Church of Corneilla-de-Conflent. An unmissable event for anyone who loves classical music! And to learn more about the great Catalonian musician, go to the Pablo Casals Museum in Prades, where the career of the artist is brought to life through letters, photos, instruments, recordings and concert outfits.

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 heart of the Fenouillèdes massif, on the border of the departments of Aude and the Pyrénées-Orientales, between Cubières-sur-Cinoble and Saint-Paul-de-Fenouillet, the Galamus gorges extend over 2 m, a spectacular natural site with vertiginous limestone cliff faces! Carved out over time by the tumultuous waters of the Agly, this protected area can be admired from the narrow road which traverses the wild countryside, in all its beauty... As photogenic a place as you could hope to find, which you can admire from a specially created belvedere, the Hermitage of St Anthony of Galamus clings to a cliff overlooking the Agly and will delight amateur photographers!

Between April and September, the Galamus gorges, with their little waterfalls and pools, are particularly good for canyoning. This is a fun and pleasant way to explore this marvellous natural heritage.

In the summer, when the gorge road becomes busy, a system of alternating traffic is in place, to make it easier and safer to cross the gorges. There are also electric shuttle buses (Diablines) which go from Cubières-sur-Cinoble and Saint-Paul-de-Fenouillet.

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.

Justifiably known as the citadel of vertigo, the impressive Cathar castle of Peyrepertuse, which clings to the heights of the commune of Duilhac-sous-Peyrepertuse, overlooks wild, unspoilt country from its rocky promontory. The fiefdom of Guillaume de Peyrepertuse at the time of the Albigensian crusades, the castle played a key role in the defence of France against Aragon, and today its remains can be seen on this fortified hillside site. Like a stone sentinel watching over the Corbières massif, this immense medieval fortress, listed as a Historic Monument, is composed of three parts: the old castle, the middle enclosure and at the highest point, the San Jordi castle, which is accessible by the Saint-Louis stairway.

A steep path going from the car park on the edge of the castle road will take you to the ruins of Peyrepertuse, about a twenty minute climb. Once you have arrived at the site, you will be able to discover remarkable evidence of military architecture from the Middle Ages, and admire superb panoramic views of the surrounding verdant hills...

Each year in August, the Medieval Festival of Peyrepertuse, which takes place over two days within the castle walls, in the heart of the village of Duilhac-sous-Peyrepertuse, will take young and old back to the Middle Ages, with its shows, concerts, banquet, market and medieval entertainments.

An important conservation area for the natural environment and endangered animal species, the Sigean African Reserve, nestling on the edge of the Bages-Sigean lagoons, is home to nearly 900 mammals, 600 reptiles and 2,000 birds living in its 300 hectares in semi-captivity.

Open to the public throughout the year, the Sigean Reserve provides two ways to enjoy the space:

A trip of about an hour by car, passing through the African Bush, the Tibetan bear park, the lion park and the African savannah, where you can admire white rhinoceroses, zebra and Somalian donkeys, amongst others.

There's a walking circuit of about three hours, for adults and children to go in search of antelopes, ostriches and other animals of the African plain. In the course of your walk you can also find the chimpanzees' island, the vivarium and the Œil de Ca lake, dotted with pink flamingos and pink-backed pelicans...

Listed as an Historic Building, the Romanesque church of St Mary of Corneilla-de-Conflent, built in the 11th and 12th centuries, has a splendid sculpted tympanum on its west door, representing the Virgin in Majesty. A remarkable example of Romanesque Catalonian art! Once over the threshold of the building, you should take a look at the 12th-century Virgin and Child in polychrome wood, the 14th-century Gothic white marble altarpiece, the 12th-century altars...

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!