French Catalunya (Pyrenees Orientales) Guide
| fast facts |
Population:
392,803
Department Name/Capital:
Pyrénées-Orientales/Perpignan
Airports:
Perpignan
Area:
4,116 km²
Official languages:
French & Catalan
Government:
The Republic of France. A semi-presidential (President & Prime Minister) system based on the constitution of the Fifth Republic.
Arrondissements (Regions):
Cerét, Prades, Perpignan
Orientation:
The southernmost part of the larger region of Languedoc-Roussillon with Girona province (‘Spanish’ Catalunya) to the south and Andorra to the west.
Hotels in French Catalunya
General Overview
Although this department has officially been part of France since 1659 when The Treaty of the Pyrenees was signed, and whatever name you choose to describe the area by, French Catalunya, Pyrénées-Orientales or Roussillon, it still retains a unique atmosphere and identity. Some will attribute this to the cuisine, some the wine, others the beautiful and diverse landscape, but many will say it’s the mountain of Canigou (Canigó in Catalan). If you’re anywhere near the border and the weather is clear which, more often than not it is, you’ll see this beautiful mountain dominating the skyline. Besides being the symbol of the region, acquiring an almost mythical status, it’s been a source of inspiration for artists, poets and writers for centuries and once seen it is never forgotten.
The region was poor relying mainly on agriculture, fishing and small scale livestock farming, and still has very high unemployment. But over the past ten years or so, for better or for worse, the influx of retired people from the rest of France and northern Europe and the number of holiday homes that have been purchased alongside increased tourism have injected money into the area.
French Catalunya highlights
Perpignan
With a large population of Spanish Catalans, who left Spanish Catalunya at the end of the Spanish Civil War and immigration from the old French colonies of north Africa Perpignan (Perpinyà in Catalan) has a cosmopolitan feel. It’s well worth spending some time here, especially to explore the old town so if you’d like to know more take a look at our city & town guides.
Collioure
The picturesque seaside town of Collioure is a great place to base yourself for a beach holiday or just for a day trip although the traffic can be very heavy during the peak summer holiday periods. Historically a popular spot for artists, Picasso and Matisse both painted here, it still retains that artistic feeling with scores of private galleries and numerous art & craft shops lining its narrow streets. The town has two beaches, though again during the peak of summer they can become very crowded.
Pic du Canigou (Canigó)
As mentioned in the regions overview Canigou has a sacred, almost mythical status in French Catalunya. Standing at 2784m it’s something that can be experienced from a distance as well as up close. If you have the time and energy then it is possible to hike to the summit, though this shouldn’t be undertaken lightly, depending on where you start it can take upto ten hours. The most popular method is over two days, spending the night either camping or in one of the mountain refuges along the route. If you’d prefer to sit down whilst seeing the view then there are 4x4 trips from Prades.
Villfranche-de-Conflent
Apart from the car parks this beautiful walled town probably looks much the same as it has done for hundreds of years. Although very busy with tourists in peak season it can appear quiet to the point of closed during less busy periods though whatever time of year it’s worth taking a stroll down its historical streets and stopping for a drink in one of its squares. Nearby there are also several caves open to visitors the most spectacular of which are the Grottes des Grandes Canalettes about 1km south of the town and open between April and October. Villfranche is also the starting point for the Train Jaune (Tren Groc in Catalan), which winds its way through some spectacular scenery for upto 63km if you choose to go the whole way to La Tour de Carol.
Céret
Holding the esteemed title of cherry capital of French Catalunya this charming little town with a bustling weekly market held along its tree lined streets is a great place to stop for a while. Bar le Pablo on the Place Pablo Picasso is perfect for sitting to watch the world go by with a drink, though hard to find a seat on market day. There’s also some lovely restaurants to choose from and, for a town of its size, the excellent Musée d’art modern with works by, among many others, Picasso and Matisse.
Nyer nature reserve
We’ve picked just one of the eleven nature reserves in the region for it’s proximity to the Pyrenees. It’s a haven for wildlife, has trails for all levels of walkers and has four other reserves (Mantet, Prats-de-Mollo La-Preste, Py and Vallée d’Eyne) nearby.
Cities and Towns of interest
Perpignan , Collioure, Villfranche-de-Conflent, Céret
Natural parks
Cerbère Banyuls, Conat, Forêt de la Massane, Jujois, Mantet, Mas Larrieu, Nohèdes, Nyer, Prats-de-Mollo La-Preste, Py, Vallée d’Eyne
Climate
Like all the regions of Catalunya that include the Pyrenees there is a marked contrast in climate between the lower lying areas and the mountainous areas. The closer you are to the Mediterranean the more it exerts its influence with warmer and dryer weather. Further inland, towards the mountains, the opposite is true. Precipitation is fairly constant with a marked low in the summer months, reaching its peak in Autumn.
