Welcome to Pyrénées-Orientales
Perpignan this is the capital of the Roussillon, part of Catalonia annexed by Louis XIII in 1641, and owes its economic expansion to the export of fruit and vegetables. It makes the most of its Catalan nature. You just need to see the people of Perpignan in summer, dancing the sardana to the sound of a cobla on Place de la Loge to be convinced. Of its royal past, it has preserved the fine palace of the kings of Majorca and its museum displaying Catalan artists such as Hyacinthe Rigaud and Maillol.
The town of Céret is a lively hub of Catalan tradition, with its bullfighting and sardana dancing. It is a colourful town prized by the cubist painters, who fell in love with its well-irrigated orchards of red cherries. Today, fruit-growers, artists and craftsmen bask in the mild climate of this town of the Vallespir region
Font Romeu is situated in the Cerdagne region; its pleasant site in the lee of a pine forest shelters it from the northerly winds. Its altitude, sunny weather and clean air make it a healthy place to visit; fine recreational facilities (swimming pool, skating rink, equestrian centre etc) draws athletic types from far and wide looking for active holidays in the healthiest of climates. Opened in 1920, this quintessentially holistic resort blends agreeably into the local landscape.
Prades, lying at the foot of Mont Canigou, is surrounded by orchards. In the old district around the church, the kerbstones, gutters and doorsteps are made of pink marble from the Conflent. Every summer, music lovers flock here to the Festival Pablo Casals. Ramblers are also in for a treat because the town is the starting point of many invigorating walks in the region.
Historic capital of Capcir, Formiguères is a small mountain village and winter sports resort. Backs on to a curve Valley of Galbe, the village preserved "feel" the history and the harsh climate with its old stone houses of the country and heavy rooftops made with "Lloses" rounded.The site is known since ancient times because the Romanesque church was consecrated in 873. Kings of Majorca (XII and XIII centuries) enjoyed this village for its cool summers and it was also their resort vacation. Formiguères is also a pleasant ski resort and you can admire there the chapel of Notre Dame in the hamlet of Villeneuve.
Sant Pau de Fenolhet ancient Roman Villaria of the 7th century, Saint-Paul became, during very strong regional history, an important city situated 262 m altitude and 40 kilometres of the Mediterranean.Saint-Paul-de-Fenouillet is capital of canton. Dune area of 4392 ha and about 1990 inhabitants. The climate is dry and regular. Fairly mild winter.Between southern Corbières and Conflent, the Fenouillèdes is striking for its savage beauty. From Estagel, the landscape is given over to the vineyards of Maury and Côtes du Rousillon. Between Sournia and Prades, the massif takes on a more austere aspect, as a scrubland of holm oaks and pine trees intersperses the vineyards. Don't miss the Roman acqueduct at Ansignan, the Gothic church of the old hermitage of Notre Dame de Laval, and the hermitage of St Antoine de Galamus (view of the Canigou).