Tourisme Pyrénées-Orientales

The legendary Train Jaune majestically crosses a viaduct with elegant arches, surrounded by the wooded hills and mountains of the Conflent region. A symbol of Catalonia’s railway heritage, this century-old train runs from Villefranche-de-Conflent to Latour-de-Carol through spectacular scenery. A unique experience offering a different way to discover the Pyrénées-Orientales, combining heritage, nature and breathtaking views.

At the summit of Canigó, the Catalans’ sacred mountain, the iconic cross stands facing the horizon. Surrounded by ribbons and offerings, it symbolises the deep attachment of the Catalan region to this mountain range. From this unique vantage point, the view stretches across the Pyrenees, the Roussillon plain and the Mediterranean. Blending spirituality, nature and heritage, Canigó embodies the very soul of the Pyrénées-Orientales.

Set against the sculpted cliffs of the ‘orgues’ at Ille-sur-Têt, the majestic silhouette of Mont Canigó comes into view. This unique natural site, shaped by erosion, combines the softness of ochre hues with the ruggedness of the Pyrenean landscape. A true symbol of the Roussillon, it offers an exceptional panorama where nature displays all its beauty, set against a backdrop of geological heritage and mountainous horizons.

Overlooking the forests and deep waters of the Lac des Bouillouses, the panorama reveals an imposing high-altitude landscape. Hooked pines, granite rocks and snow-capped peaks blend together under an intense blue sky. This exceptional natural site, in the heart of the Carlit massif, is one of the jewels in the crown of the Pyrénées-Orientales, a favourite with hikers and nature lovers alike.

The photograph shows a long, horizontal, illuminated display case containing explanatory panels, documents and period photographs. One can read, in particular, the text ‘From Camp to Place of Remembrance’, which recounts the evolution of the Rivesaltes site from its military and internment role to its transformation into a memorial. The understated, linear presentation, with its warm colours and clear typography, encourages visitors to read and reflect on the history of the site and the memory of those who were interned there.

An evening in Collioure, on the Côte Vermeille. The photograph shows the peaceful harbour at dusk, where colourful Catalan boats are reflected in the calm water. In the background, the iconic Notre-Dame-des-Anges church and its illuminated bell tower dominate the seafront, lined with pastel-coloured façades and bustling terraces. A gentle, luminous atmosphere typical of Collioure’s Mediterranean charm.

An aerial view of Paulilles Cove, a natural gem of the Côte Vermeille, between Banyuls-sur-Mer and Port-Vendres. You can make out the crescent-shaped beach, with its pale pebbles lapped by a deep blue sea, as well as the restored former industrial site with its red-roofed buildings, now transformed into a space for remembrance and discovery. The landscape blends vineyards, pine trees and Mediterranean scrub, offering a striking contrast between the mountains and the Mediterranean.

Perched on the mountainside, the monastery of Saint-Martin-du-Canigou overlooks the valley in spectacular surroundings. A masterpiece of Romanesque art, it embodies both spiritual fervour and the power of the Catalan landscape. Set amongst forests, rocky outcrops and the endless horizon, this iconic site in the Pyrénées-Orientales invites visitors to contemplate and discover an exceptional heritage, in the heart of the Canigó massif.

Céret

Salses Fortress, built at the end of the 15th century, stands in the heart of a typical Mediterranean landscape. From the rocks and pine trees that surround it, the view stretches as far as the snow-capped Canigó, offering a striking contrast between stone, greenery and the Pyrenean peaks.

In the heart of Perpignan, the Palace of the Kings of Majorca stands in all its majesty. This 13th-century fortress, surrounded by gardens and pine trees, offers a remarkable view of the city and the Pyrenees. A symbol of Catalan heritage, the palace combines history, Gothic architecture and Mediterranean scenery.

In Tautavel, a statue of a prehistoric man brandishing a spear welcomes visitors at the entrance to the Museum of Prehistory, whose façade, adorned with a colourful mural, depicts the lives of early humans. Nestled in lush greenery, the site pays tribute to the famous discovery of the Tautavel Man and to the region’s rich archaeological heritage.

The image offers a spectacular view of the stone and red-brick fortifications of Villefranche-de-Conflent, seen through an opening in the rampart. In the background lies the Conflent valley, framed by wooded hills and dominated by the majestic silhouette of the Canigó massif. Under a clear blue sky, the sunlight highlights the texture of the medieval walls and the surrounding vegetation. This contrast between the fortress built by Vauban and the Pyrenean landscape symbolises the harmony between architectural heritage and the natural landscape that characterises the UNESCO-listed sites in the Pyrénées-Orientales.