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w w w . t o u r i s m e - p y r e n e e s o r i e n t a l e s . c o m
FRANCE
Pyrénées-OrientalesA « Sud de France » Languedoc-Roussil lon destination
GB
By opening the doors of the natural and historical sites located throughout the Pyrénées-Orientales, the General Council invites you to discover the wonders of our department.
With its vast architectural heritage, traditions and vibrant culture, our department is brimming with treasures.
Here, over the centuries, unique works have been created by nature, art and history. The Palace of the Kings of Majorca, the Chapel of Notre-Dame des Anges, the Royal Castle of Collioure, the Priory of Serrabona or the UNESCO World Heritage-listed cities of Mont-Louis and Villefranche de Conflent are all sites that welcome each year visitors from around the world.
The Pyrénées-Orientales also boast protected nature areas and a preserved environment. The Regional Nature Reserve of Nyer, Mount Canigou and the lakes Bouillouses are sites that capture the spirit of mountain hikers.
The Regional Nature Park of the Catalan Pyrenees covers one-fourth of the territory of the Pyrénées-Orientales. The cove of Paulilles is one of the finest jewels of the Catalan coast. We should not omit to mention the marine reserve of Cerbère-Banyuls and the soon-to-be created nature marine park that will extend from Leucate to Cerbère.
As you can see, this department is undoubtedly well fitted for tourism and a place of “Art de Vivre”. Let us guide you on our roads and to these gateways, to this paradise, where you will be able to dream, learn, discover and understand the history of the Catalan Country as a whole.
Welcome to this land that is a source of pride and strength for its people.
Welcome to the Catalan Country!
Hermeline MALHERBE,President of the General Council.
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Pyrénées-OrientalesWelcome to the Catalan Country!
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Along the infinite curves of the seemingly never-ending beaches or in the hollows of the cosy creeks, the Catalan coast, parts sandy and parts rocky indolently stretches out under the hot sun.
Whether to completely relax on the sand,
a stone’s throw away from the tranquil murmur of the reeds, between Le Barcarès and Argelès-sur-Mer,
or to be drawn by the sweet smelling warmth of the creeks between Le Racou and Cerbère…
Is that really such a dilemma?
The seagulls laugh at such a question.
They are as free as the ‘white horses’ in the evening breeze,
and their territory covers the whole length of the coast.
Here we can see a trawler or a ”lamparo”,
a lamplight fishing boat, returning to port
in the setting sun, and there we can see
a white sailing boat slicing through the
blue sea in the wake of a couple of dolphins,
while over there, as you turn a corner into a square
or a narrow street in Collioure you can come
across an artist at his easel.
You can feel the incomparable atmosphere
of those never-ending evenings everywhere,
that start at the pre-dinner drinks and last until the final notes have been
played, along the quaysides and the promenades,
as well as the temptation of a late night swim under the stars…
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A forever-changing scene that is to be discovered from one end of this realm to the other.is to be discovered from one end of this realm to the other.
A forever-changing scene that is to be discovered from one end of this realm to the other.
A forever-changing scene that
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The Mediterranean
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The Mountain The Pyrenees
The Catalan Pyrenees are not like other mountains. The Catalan Pyrenees are not like other mountains. They have a southern accent, a Mediterranean perfume They have a southern accent, a Mediterranean perfume and even more sun both in summer and in winter.and even more sun both in summer and in winter.
The pleasure of hiking from one refuge to another, The pleasure of hiking from one refuge to another, The pleasure of hiking from
of a simple walk or the joys one refuge to another, of a simple walk or the joys one refuge to another,
of trout fishing.of a simple walk or the joys of trout fishing.of a simple walk or the joys
The Catalan mountains exist in white.
Winter. The purity of an immaculate sky outlining the majestic peaks of the Canigou,
the Carlit, the Cambre d’Aze; the gentle warmth of the villages from which a sweet smell of wood
burning in the stoves wafts from the chimneys of the stone built houses; a gay liveliness at the heart of
the resorts where you can try every type of winter sport in a remarkably well-preserved environment.
In summer, the Catalan mountains are very colourful.
The green reflection of a pine tree in the deep blue of a lake;
the gold of the broom bushes; the crimson of the rhododendrons,
the flamboyance of the leaves as autumn approaches.
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History is everywhere from the convents to the museums, from the chapels to
the processions. Life is everywhere, in a sardane step, a harmony of jazz, the plucking of an electric guitar or the strumming of a Gypsy on his guitar, an Arabic chant wafting from a window.
In town
The heart of the south and a spicy accent, Perpignan is turned towards Spain and the East,
an eye on its past and a smile towards the future.
In Perpignan it is said that to live in the present is at every instant, to unite both here and there, as well as today and tomorrow.
Plane trees and palm trees cohabit along
the wide avenues that bathe
in the sun. They offer shade to the beauties sculpted by Maillol
that are both naked and proud, to be found in the
corner of a courtyard or a small square where a
marble fountain gently sings.
The lofty splendour of the Palace of the Majorcan
Kings dominates the narrow popular streets
overflowing with spices, fruit or fish, a
thousand different aromas from around the world.
Perpignan
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Near the river beds, the market gardeners have dug
into the soft, silty land to make vast rectangles of artichokes,
lettuces, or the colourful tomato plants that blend with the
large buildings in “cayrou” stones and white pebbles.
In spring, the orchards of peaches, apricots, and cherries are bedecked with every shade of pink
and white... It is so pleasant to stroll the fabulous gardens that run the length of bubbling irrigation canals
or the skilfully made aqueducts...
Further afield, on pungent striped hills, low walls built of
dry stones, used where man was unable to bring water, you
will find the realm of vines and olive trees, almond
trees as well as the powerful aroma of plants, such as
rosemary and thyme, growing on the scrubland.
Take your Time ...Take your Time ...Take The landscapes of the Catalan
region radiate a natural beauty. On this generous land there are traces of the work of man, of his
will to live here that dates back a thousand years.
And, watching over all these treasures, the imposing silhouette of the Canigou Mountain with its snow-capped peak that can And, watching over all these treasures, the imposing silhouette of the Canigou Mountain with its snow-capped peak that can And, watching over all these treasures, the imposing silhouette
be seen from afar. of the Canigou Mountain with its snow-capped peak that can
be seen from afar. of the Canigou Mountain with its snow-capped peak that can
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Time for Cultural Heritage
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From the stone built monasteries to the fortified castles, from the language of poets to the specific sound of the sardane, from the language of poets to the specific sound of the sardane, from the language of poets to the
these are all proof of a prestigious specific sound of the sardane, these are all proof of a prestigious specific sound of the sardane,
past and the specific culture built these are all proof of a prestigious past and the specific culture built these are all proof of a prestigious
on Catalan roots with some French past and the specific culture built on Catalan roots with some French past and the specific culture built
influence.
From the prehistoric vestiges
of the “Tautavel Man” to the Roman
or Visigothic periods
up to the loveliest examples of
Romanesque and Baroque art or Vauban’s fortifications,
we have a “gigantic open-air museum”spread out over
the whole territory of the Pyrénées-Orientales.
A former possession of the Realms
of Aragon and Majorca during
the Middle Ages, then becoming
a far off province of the Realm
of Castille, the Roussillon was
only annexed to France after
the signing of the Treaty of
the Pyrenees in 1659. © P
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Hundreds of religious, civil or military monuments can still be found in a remarkable state of preservation, thousands of ancient works of sacred or profane art show the richness of this history, which is both complex and original.
Hundreds of religious, civil or military monuments can still be found in a remarkable state of preservation, thousands of ancient works
Hundreds of religious, civil or military monuments can still
state of preservation, thousands of ancient works of sacred or profane art show the richness of
Hundreds of religious, civil or military monuments can still be found in a remarkable state of preservation,
Hundreds of religious, civil or military monuments can still
thousands of ancient works
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The strong and invisible breathe of inspiration has always blown across the Catalan region, inherited from
a prestigious past and the birthplace of contemporary art.
The artistic genius can be felt here in all
its forms, marked by a Catalan
identity open to all sorts of influences.
The works of art by the masters of Romanesque art then
Baroque art, the audacious treasures created by Matisse and Derain in Collioure, by “the Picasso group”
in Céret, by Maillol in
Banyuls-sur-Mer are not just a fabulous
heritage for the pleasure of visitors but also
seed from which grew the talent of numerous painters
and sculptors who live and work here.
A land of inspiration, the Pyrénées-Orientales was the birthplace of, or has drawn the greatest names such as Pau Casals, Salvador Dali or Claude Simon, the Nobel Prize for Literature. But creation is still very much
alive and a hope for the future for many
artists from all different branches. They carry forth the flame
of talent from within the Catalan country.
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André Derain Collioure, le village et la mer, 1905
Huile sur toile 60,2 x 73,5 cmColl. The Scottish National Gallery
of Modern Art - Edinburgh, purchased 1973
Localisation : Quartier du Morer avec les maisons des militaires. Remblais du Fort Mirador
© Adagp, Paris 2005
InspirationTime for
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Time for
What we do best here is cultivate an ‘art de vivre’ supported by the riches offered by nature.An art that can turn out to be a science ...supported by the riches offered by nature.An art that can turn out to be a science ...supported by the riches offered by nature.
Including on a rugby pitch.
Whether it be in gastronomy or viticulture, discover the know-how, which has attained near perfection.
An impressive network of irrigation canals and aqueducts supply water to the plains as well
as the alpine pastures. The terraced vineyards, artfully sculpted in the rock overlooking the
sea; the centuries-old reputation of local weaving, wrought ironwork, and pottery continues today …
With the support of an entire population,
home-grown Olympic medallist Athletes, the USAP rugby union team and the
Dragons Catalans rugby league team bring to the pinnacle
of sport achievements the proud colours
of the Catalan Country and extend
its fame beyond its borders.
Perfection for the future can also be
found in the most advanced techniques using
solar energy as found in the Cerdagne.
A know-how inherited from the past and
forever being updated.
Talent ©
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Time for
Are our eyes bigger than our basket? Is there room for this Are our eyes bigger than our basket? Is there room for this honey and that fresh cheese rom the Aspres, these grapes
from the banks of the Agly river and those cherries from Céret, as well as those black or white “botifare” sausages
from Cerdagne, those anchovies from Collioure, those “bunyetes” from Millas and those “rosquilles”
from the Vallespir? And what about all those wines?
There are those dishes made from seafood, those from
the plain as well as those from the mountains.
The very authenticity of the natural products can be found in a simple meal of grilled
meats or fish, an assortment of local delicatessen
products accompanied by “pà amb tomaquet”,
bread rubbed with a clove of garlic and a ripe tomato
with just a dribble of olive oil, followed by a
basket of fresh fruit...
There is also the tasty Catalan way of serving rabbit and snails, chicken and prawns together like friends in a fable, mixed with the smell of saffron or green aniseed or
truffles ... Every day of a year, for each one of
these pleasures, there is a different wine. Côtes du Roussillon red, white or rosé wines; Muscat de Rivesaltes, Banyuls or Maury wines not only
for your pre-dinner drinks but also with a local foie gras
pâté, cheese or to accompany a dessert.
Taste
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Because they originate from our land, a land which is like no other, you are going to get a taste for the “Sud de France” products.
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Whether sacred or profane, serious or gay, celebrations and ceremonies follow a certain rhythm
Whether sacred or profane, serious or gay, celebrations and ceremonies follow a certain rhythm
Whether sacred or profane, serious or gay,
marking the passing of time in our Catalan country. celebrations and ceremonies follow a certain rhythm marking the passing of time in our Catalan country.
celebrations and ceremonies follow a certain rhythm
Before Christmas, the “pessebres”,
enacted nativity scenes that are vibrant with
songs and popular fervour, celebrate the
arrival of the Saviour. Towards the end of
winter, when nature gently lifts up its head,
laughter and masks invade the
streets at carnival time; in the Vallespir
each year the symbolic fight between the bear and the shepherds is tirelessly
re-enacted.
Time for Festivals
For Holy Week, the lugubrious sound
of the bell and the drum used to
announce death accompany the long
processions of penitents who
hide their faces under their hoods.
In summer, the festivals of music, dancing and plays are everywhere.
The bonfires of St John’s Eve light up
the Canigou Mountain; the nights are never-ending during the
warmest of the “ferias”where the real
meaning of life’s many pleasures in the south
explodes to the rhythm of the bandas -
the local fanfares.
At Easter, Pentecost and many other times
of year there is the need to confirm some
ancestral roots and so the gay, shrill
music of the “coblas”- orchestras - tugs at
the heartstrings of the sardane dancers and,
they hold hands to form a circle and dance together. ©
P.M
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MovementTime for
Moving in the water or in the sky, on land and even under ground at every season and at every age, there is so much energy around !
It is quite rare to find both the sea and the mountains in
the same region and it opens an infinite perspective to
everyone: to those who love skiing down snowy slopes
or else across the salty waves, then there’s rock climbing
or scuba diving, ice skating or pedalos, deep sea fishing
or raspberry picking…
But that’s not all, there’s more to come! There are about ten natural reserves and numerous
remarkable sites to be visited by ramblers or hikers of all
levels, for amateurs of white water rafting or canyoneering,
potholing, pike or trout fishing, regattas at sea or
windsurfing competitions on the lakes…
There’s still more : whether for beginners or
specialists there are golf courses, tennis courts,
horse-riding centres, mountain bike or motocross
circuits, microlight or paragliding bases …
There is only one problem, with such a wide choice ...
where to start ?
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Time for ContemplationHere the land, the sea and the sky cannot be explained. You just gaze at them, listen to them, Here the land, the sea and the sky cannot be explained. You just gaze at them, listen to them, Here the land, the sea and the sky cannot be explained.
taste them, touch them, and smell them. You just gaze at them, listen to them, taste them, touch them, and smell them. You just gaze at them, listen to them,
The pleasure of it all needs time and silence.
To be in the sun or in the shade?
On the sand, near the waves or under a tree on the
banks of a lake?
In the centre of town or out in the countryside?
In the coolness of a river or in the bubbling water of a
hot water spa?
It doesn’t matter. Wherever you are, just listen, breathe deeply and then breathe once more. If necessary, close your eyes to get
the feeling and maybe even to see everything better.
A white sail slicing through the blue sea, the laughter
of a seagull, the cry of an eagle, the rustling of the
plane trees in the Tramontane wind, the muffled
cries of a distant festival, the murmur of a stream,
the delicate perfume of a copse of mimosa trees, the
promising scent of a fire of vine twigs. At siesta time, the sun plays hide and seek through the slats of the shutters, the
outline of the hills dominating the impeccable straight
lines of the orchards or the vineyards…
In the depths of nature you can find the welcoming intimacy of a country
where things change every day.
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CATALOGNE SUD
Gerone
Barcelone
By car• A9 motorway, exits Perpignan Centre /
Perpignan Sud / Le Boulou• Route Nationale 20 (through the Puymorens tunnel)• Route Nationale 9
By Train• Direct connections
TGV Lille/PerpignanTGV Paris/PerpignanTGV Lyon/PerpignanTGV Toulouse/Perpignan / Montpellier/PerpignanBarcelona Sants/Perpignan
• SNCF - www.sncf.fr
By Plane
• Perpignan - Rivesaltes Airport Phone: 00 33 (0) 4 68 52 60 70 www.aeroport-perpignan.fr
• Air France - direct flights Paris Orly Ouest / Perpignan www.airfrance.com
• Ryanair - direct flights London Stansted / Perpignan and Brussels (Charleroi) / Perpignan - www.ryanair.com
• Flybe - direct flights Southampton / Perpignan www.flybe.com
• Aer Lingus - direct flights Dublin / Perpignan www.aerlingus.com
Montpellier
Come to our land of exceptions!So that your holidays are a moment of magic that is unforgettable, that is my wish and that of all the inhabitants of the Pyrénées-Orientales!
Everything is here to make your stay with us a precious moment for you: an incomparable style of life, a natural, cultural and gastronomic heritage which is very diverse, a network of tourism professionals who are motivated, always ready to listen to you and sensitive to you well-being, and of course, a sweetness of life which is inherent in our beautiful “southern“ region.
Come and meet us! We look forward to offering you our traditional Catalan hospitality. Because it is here and nowhere else.
The Chairman of the Departmental Tourism Committee
FRANCE
Pyrénées-Orientales
Comité Départemental du Tourisme16, avenue des Palmiers - CS 80540 - 66005 Perpignan cedex - France
Tel. 00 33 (0)4 68 51 52 53 - Fax 00 33 (0)4 68 51 52 50
A « Sud de France » Languedoc-Roussil lon destination
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R. R
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w w w . t o u r i s m e - p y r e n e e s o r i e n t a l e s . c o mt o u r i s m e - p y r e n e e s o r i e n t a l e s . m o b i