Did you know that the department of Pyrénées-Orientales is one of the sunniest in France ? More than 300 days of sunshine illuminate its majestic coasts, its mountains plunging into the sea and its colorful villages. This place in France can be visited in all seasons, but it is particularly pleasant in autumn when the tourists have returned home. The sea is still warm enough to take regenerating baths and the interior of the department can also be the subject of beautiful hikes to discover its natural riches, its vineyards and its historical heritage.
The Pyrénées-Orientales is the discovery of multifaceted landscapes where the vines plunging into the sea mingle or mountains with eternal snow , but also perched villages on rocky promontories to discover inland or by the seaside along fine sandy beaches. This department is also made up of seven nature reserves and five classified sites that you can discover in the regional natural park of the Catalan Pyrenees. If you are a gastronome, you will also appreciate its authentic cuisine accompanied by tasty and sweet wines in the sunshine. Finally, the Pyrénées-Orientales are close to Spain where you can go to treat yourself to a good paella sangria and continue your journey if you have time.
If you are used to hiking, you can climb the Canigou from one of the many marked trails. Some are easier than others and allow you to choose the one you want to take depending on your physical condition. The two best known are those of the Refuges de Mariailles and Cortalets . The Canigou is also nicknamed "the sacred mountain of the Catalans ". You can choose to admire a sunrise or a sunset, or even the milky way if you camp there. Above all, do not miss the viewpoints of the Col de Palomère or that of the Hermitage of Força-Real . October is the perfect month to do this hike, as there are few tourists and in some places you will feel like you are alone in the world.
If you walk a little, but are not ready to climb the Canigou, you can go up to the tour de la Massane . A good part of the way is in the forest, and even if at the beginning it is a little uphill, you can climb this trail at your own pace. At the end of this easy hike, you will have an exceptional view of the Vermeille coast and the Mediterranean as well as on the plain of Roussillon . The tower is located above the town of Argelès-sur-Mer in the Albères at an altitude of 793 m. In the past, it was used to make the ford.
Villefranche-de-Conflent is one of the most beautiful villages in France and well deserves its title. This medieval city will show you an exceptional historical heritage. You can admire its medieval center and its ramparts built by Vauban as well as Fort Liberia overlooking the casemate cave or Cova Bastera . Do not miss to visit the Romanesque church of Saint-André de Belloc or the old viguerie which is now the town hall of the village. On site, you can also taste the famous "bougnette which is a local specialty materialized by a thick pancake or a thin sweet donut.
To visit Capcir, but also Haut-Conflent and Cerdagne , if you don't walk much, consider the famous yellow train who will take you to visit these places. In autumn, the walk is magical on sunny days. You will leave from Villefranche-de-Conflent to Font-Romeu . Bring a picnic and sit on the shores of Lac des Bouillouses while enjoying the fresh air and the superb view offered by the surrounding landscape. The yellow train is nicknamed the "Canary because of its color that cannot be missed. Some wagons are open and others are closed. Depending on the weather, you are free to choose how you want to travel and make the most of the surrounding landscape. You will have a superb one-day outing and return trip. Once you arrive in Font-Romeu, you can get on the free shuttle and then take tickets at €15.50 per person, to get to the lake with a chairlift or gondola .
Good to know :there are also preferential rates for families.
The Organs of Ille-sur-Têt are a unique natural site made up of natural rock concretions with very singular shapes rising in points towards the sky. They are called "fairy chimneys and are comparable to those seen in Turkish Cappadocia. They are more than four million years old and formed with erosion. The site is not huge and you just have to follow the marked trails to make the most of the different fairy chimneys. However, it is strictly forbidden to climb on it. The site is paying (5 € per adult and free for children) and can be visited in a good hour.
By taking the coastal path , you will discover breathtakingly beautiful mountain/sea landscapes. This hike is very easy and allows you to walk 35 km between Argelès-sur-Mer and Cerbère located on the Spanish border. This path is also called the path of customs officers or smugglers . It crosses several villages and towns such as Port-Vendres, but also the Mauresque and the emblematic Cap Béar and its legendary lighthouse. You will also admire the bay of Les Paulilles and can stop at one of the heavenly cove beaches.
If you are traveling by car, you can dedicate a day to the wonderful Côte Vermeille over 78 km via Port-Vendres, Collioure, Banyuls to Cerbère at the Spanish border. This coast includes the Natural Marine Park of the Gulf of Lion and the Marie de Banyuls-Cerbère nature reserve . The Côte Vermeille makes you discover landscapes facing the Mediterranean Sea. It is also very popular for its small fishing ports where you can stop to taste delicious fresh fish such as anchovies or even a parillada which is an assortment of grilled fish. If you have time, you can indulge in many water activities, including scuba diving or swimming in the marine nature reserve among many silvery and colorful fish.
Collioure is certainly the most famous village in the Pyrénées-Orientales. When you arrive, you are immediately seduced by its very colorful houses reminiscent of the south at every street corner. Autumn is a perfect time to visit Collioure, because this village, victim of its own success, is inaccessible in the middle of summer. Visit the castle , explore the alleys and go to the Moulin de Collioure . You can rest on its pretty beach whose bell tower has its feet in the water . Stroll along the port and admire the many paintings by more or less renowned painters and have lunch on the terrace of one of its famous restaurants while tasting fish, seafood and its famous Rousquille which is a very good Catalan pastry .
The Pyrénées-Orientales is also about picking mushrooms in the forests in autumn and superb tones ranging from golden yellow to dark red, it is still fishing in torrents and many visits to dedicate to magnificent Catalan villages . The list of places mentioned is not exhaustive and only serves to give you some ideas. Don't miss a visit to the city of Perpignan and its famous station, referred to as the "navel of the world" by Dali, which is worth a detour in itself.
