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Eastern Pyrenees, France tourist information
Pyrenees-Orientales (eastern Pyrenees) is one of the departments of France that forms part of the Languedoc-Roussillon region of southern France - it is the most southern in the Languedoc region and forms part of the border with Spain
The region has two distinctive characters - the coastal section and the inland section. Both are within reach during a visit to the department.
The spiritual but not really very high Mount Canigou dominates much of the interior of the region. The region that lies between Mount Canigou and the coast to the south of Perpignan is known as the Albčres. This mountainous region runs along the frontier between France and Spain.
Other highlights of the region include Madeloc and Massanne towers, and the castle at Ultrčre, plus of course the scenery itself, the main attraction of the region.
The two main routes to explore the interior of the region are the Valleys of the Tech and Tet, both passing through much beautiful scenery:
The Tet Valley runs from Perpignan to Prades and beyond, passing Villefranche de Conflent and Eus - both classified as 'most beautiful villages'). Take a detour from Prades to see the monastery at St-Michel-deCuxa.
The Tech Valley to the south passes through Ceret, an attractive town where Picasso lived and with a very good art museum.
Continue on to see Arles-sur-Tech and then don your hard hats and entertain the children at the Gorges de la Fou.
Another classified villages here in southern Langudoc is Castelnou.
Languedoc beach (picture thanks to Jamie Henderson)
Coastal Pyrenees-Orientales
The coastal section of the department is based to the north and south of Perpignan and known as the Cote Vermeille. Much of the coast is over-developed but there are some pretty towns to discover and plenty of long sandy beaches.
Towns along the Cote Vermeille between Perpignan and Spain include Collioure, Port-Vendres, Banyuls-sur-Mer and Cerbčre and Argeles-sur-Mer.
Be sure to also visit Elne for its cathedral and cloister on the route from Perpignan to these southern coastal towns.
The Fort de Salses is another popular tourist attraction north of Perpignan
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