Located at the southern tip of France, at the meeting point between the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean, the Pyrénées Orientales are, without a doubt, an extraordinary place to spend a successful stay.
Here, there are many leisure activities related to the sea, but the Pyrenees also offer their share of entertainment. Furthermore the heritage related to its border position with Spain, a gastronomy with Mediterranean colors, the sun and the heat sought during the holidays make the ideal cocktail for an unforgettable holiday.
The Pyrenees Orientales is the mountain side
The last link in the Pyrenees chain, the Pyrenees Orientales offer peaks ranging from a few hundred meters to 2921m, at the Pic du Carlit. This is how we can enjoy the pleasures of the mountains all year round… An ideal destination for hiking, mountain biking, climbing and of course, skiing.
Here, many family or more sporty resorts offer every winter all activities related to the board sports : downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, dog sledding, etc.
Focus on the Canigou, the sacred mountain of the Catalans
The Pyrenees Orientales is also the sea side!
From Barcarès to Cerbère, the Pyrénées Orientales offer a multitude of beaches with varied particularities. To the north of the department, there are the long fine sandy beaches awaiting tanning enthusiasts. Families with young children particularly appreciate the gently sloping beaches of Canet and Saint-Cyprien. It is also the area of ponds and fishing huts. From Argelès and Le Racou, it's a series of creeks and pebble beaches who starts. Here, the rocks offer refuge to a whole underwater fauna which attracts divers and snorkelers.
Top 10 sites to discover in the Pyrénées Orientales
On vacation in the Mediterranean Pyrenees? Embark on an adventure and don't miss any of the wonders of the Pyrénées-Orientales! Discover our selection of must-see sites to fully enjoy your stay.
We tell you everything about POs!
When is the best time to visit the Pyrénées-Orientales?
All year !
Spring and autumn : the ideal seasons for hiking, cycling and cultural discoveries.
Summer : swimming, coves and Mediterranean atmosphere.
Winter : family ski resorts and snowshoe hikes in the Pyrenees.
What are the most beautiful beaches in the Pyrénées-Orientales?
The sandy beaches of Canet-en-Roussillon, Saint-Cyprien et Argelès-sur-Mer attract families with children, while the coves of the Racou, Collioure, de Paulilles or Cerbère delight nature and diving lovers.
What is the emblematic mountain of the Pyrénées-Orientales?
Le Canigou, nicknamed the sacred mountain of the Catalans. Visible from the entire department (or almost), it symbolizes the perfect union between the mountains and the Mediterranean.
Which sites should you not miss?
Among the must-sees: Collioure, Villefranche-de-Conflent, the Yellow Train, Ceret, castelnou, Tautavel, the Fortress of Salses, Font-Romeu, Perpignan, or the vineyards of Roussillon.
What to try during your vacation in the Pyrénées-Orientales?
Let yourself be seduced by Mediterranean and Catalan flavors.
Collioure anchovies to local charcuterie, including the natural sweet wines of Banyuls, Rivesaltes or Maury, each bite tells the story of the South.
At the restaurant tables, enjoy pork patties, picoulat bowls, mussels with aioli, escalivade, zarzuela or even fideuà.
And when it comes to traditions, let yourself be tempted by the bunyettes, the cargolades, or the Rousquilles melting…
A true taste journey in Catalan country!
How to get around to visit the department?
Apart from the car, there are several means of transport that allow you to get around the department.
bus and trains connect Perpignan to many towns in the department.
Cycle paths, and in particular theEV8 and Pirinexus, offer pleasant routes for cycling enthusiasts.
And for the more athletic, numerous hiking trails allow to connect sea and mountains.