Walking, Hiking, (Guides available)

Cycling, Mountain-biking (Bikes available for guests)

Canyoning, Rafting, Fishing, Swimming, Water sports

Mt Canigou can be approached either on foot following waterfalls and deep rock pools or by 4x4 jeeps

Skiing .... You are on the ski slops inside an hour.

Horse riding.

Outdoor Hot Springs, Thalassotherapy, Hydrotherapy,
Casino, Cinema, Night club, Animal Parks

"The Little Yellow Train" - travels from Villefranche de Conflent to Font Romeu (ski resort) and on to Bourg Madame, a Spanish border town.

Some of the most beautiful beaches in the Frence Mediterranean are only an hour away.

Historical Societies

The Languedoc-Roussillon region was one of the earliest to be inhabited by humans and, located between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean, was an extremely important trade route and passage.

The Roman history of Languedoc-Roussillon is long and has left some spectacular traces. The names of towns, the Catalan language, the region’s heady wines and olive-oil dishes all testify to the lasting influence of 400 years of occupation. It is also where the Romanesque art emerged in the early 11th C in its most impressive way ranging from little churches to large, important Cistercian abbeys. This is also a region where the “Cathars”, named after the Greek “katharos” or “pure”, fought the Catholic church of the time in the 13th C; it took many decades to exterminate this movement whose followers believed the visible world to be the work of the devil. Nowadays, many impressive fortresses perched on dizzying heights and the ancient villages still bear witness to a lost religion. There are endless places to visit, that one visit will not be sufficient.

The wealth of the natural heritage and history gives to the Pyrenees-Orientales some vast opportunities. This mix between ocean and mountains create a d iversity of landscape. This diversity relates to many natural parks unique to France , from the natural preserve submarine park of Cerbere-Banyuls to the massifs of Caniqou that you would have occasion to view from your trail. Along this natural wealth, the department is vegetated with pine forests, nut forests, oaks etc. Also from a great wealth, the archaeological heritage and historical relating from one of the oldest European ( the Man of Tautavel, 450 000 years old) to Roman and Baroque churches and fortresses.

Birdwatching

Although most of the high altitude species are present, Languedoc-Roussillon's Pyrénées are renowned for the quantity and quality of the birds of prey present in the western part of the range. For Bearded Vultures, the Gavarnie area is the best, La Falaise aux Vautours found in the Ossau valley has the biggest French colony of Griffon Vulture. Organbideska is the most spectacular viewing spot in France for migrating birds starting with the Black Kites in August and finishing with Cranes in November. Nearby the Iraty Forest is a good spot for seeing the elusive White-backed Woodpecker. Other good migration spots include Eyne in the eastern part of the range can have amazing Short-toed Eagle days, with up to 200 per day! For more information on migration counts in the Pyrénées contact OCL

Wine Enthusiast

Wine has been produced in Languedoc-Roussillon for more than 2000 years. The area contains more than 40% of the vineyards in France , with around 700,000 acres (2,800 km²) under vines and is the single biggest wine-producing region in the world, being responsible for more than a third of France 's total wine production. As recently as 2001, the region produced more wine than the entire United State. Increasingly, Grenache, Syrah, Merlot, Cinsaut, Mourvedre, Sauvignon and Viognier grapes are used for wine making. The Languedoc Roussillon is becoming a respected producer of quality wines. Many domains already produce wines that command high prices. As in historical times, production of sweet wines, such as Muscat de Lunel and Rivesaltes continues along the coastal plains. As you drive around the Languedoc-Roussillon, you will see numerous signs reading "dégustation". The word originally denoted the art of recognising a wine, its place of origin, quality, and age just from the taste, but now it just means free tasting. You can stop and taste wines at these places, and if you like what you taste you buy direct from the producer, sometimes at a significant discount.