The Violet brothers of Corsavy created Byrrh (confusingly pronounced ‘beer’) in 1873. This ’vin tonique et hygiénique’, first billed as a tonic, is made from good quality Roussillon wines and quinine water and said to be medicinal!

Gustave Violet, son of one of the brothers, chose not to follow in his father’s footsteps. Instead, he became an artist, sculptor and architect. At the outbreak of WW1, he was conscripted. On his return in 1918 this gentle artist, totally traumatised both physically and mentally by the horrors of war, was commissioned by several of the towns of the P-O to sculpt their War Memorials.

In fact, with no wish to glorify war, the monuments he created were very much ANTI-war. In Thuir, at the gateway to the cemetery, his bas relief sculptures depict not glory but sorrow and despair. Other Violet memorials in Perpignan, Prades, Estagel, Tautavel and Claira, follow similar themes; women waiting for sons and lovers who would never return, the tragedy of war…

Find out more here.

Head west on the D117 from Estagel, the 10th century fortress of Quéribus towering above you on your right, and you soon arrive in the village of Maury. Well worth the visit for its great wines, it is also a delight to wander around the “Chemin de Trompe l’Oeil”, tricks of the eye, painted in 1998 by master muralist Bernard Gout.

A dog guards the entrance to the Cave Co-operative. Or does it?

Three old men sit on a bench in the sun – or do they? From a distance you’re really not quite sure. A horse looks over a stable door, a pretty fountain tempts closer inspection. At least the café is open. Isn’t it? Fascinating. A wander round the village of Maury is an absolutely pleasure.

A trip on the Train rouge, otherwise known as the ‘Train du Pays Cathare et du Fenouillèdes’ (TPCF) with its bright red and white carriages is not just recommended for train enthusiasts. Along the way, there are magnificent views, oceans of vines, Cathar castles – and plenty of opportunity for wine tasting! From Rivesaltes to Axat, the train chugs along this 100 year old railway line, high up in the Fenouillèdes – a slow climb of over 60 kms.

The summer service is now over, but look out for the themed trips such as ‘Murder on the Catalan Express’ or the Halloween or Santa Special.

Find out more here.

Situated between Millas, Corneilla-la-Rivière and Montner, the panorama from this stunning view point extends along the coastline from Port-Vendres to Leucate, across the Agly and Têt valleys, over the Albères, Canigo, Carlit…

Over the years, Força Réal has been a signal tower and fortress for the defence of the Roussillon, welcoming beacon landmark for returning fishermen, hermitage, and today a ‘tour de guet’ for fire spotting.

On a clear day, the view will take your breath away.

Built in 1258 by the kings of Aragon to reinforce Roussillon defences, the original signal tower and small fort, constructed on two adjacent hills, were destroyed in the 17th century. The fort was transformed into an hermitage and ‘Conjurador’, its function to appease the elements and chase away storms and summer drought.

For the more energetic, a labyrinth of well signed walks for all levels, with ‘sentier botanique’ identifying trees and shrubs, will take you up to a large viewing platform, looking out over the wine villages of Montner, La Tour de France to your far left, Estagel in the distance, and the Corbières and Queribus a little further afield.

Francois Arago was born in Estagel in 1786, where his father was the Mayor. Francois was also co-founder of l’Independent newspaper.

Famous physicist and astronomer,  Arago was less known as an intrepid explorer and adventurer, yet he led an exciting and charmed life. Arrested on charges of spying and thrown into the dungeon of a Majorcan fortress whilst on a project to measure the Earth’s curvature in the Balearic Islands, he  escaped ‘disguised as a Spaniard’!  and hid away on a  fishing boat as he tried to return to France.

When the boat was captured by pirates masquerading as the Spanish navy,  he persuaded them that he was a wealthy Austrian aristocrat worth a tidy ransom. When no payment materialised, he was dumped back in prison from where he managed to escape yet again, this time in a coffin.

However, our unlucky hero was captured again, this time by Moroccan Berber warriors. Another escape, this time on a blind camel! He finally made it back to Perpignan  and a hero’s welcome. He went on to have a long and distinguished career in French politics, and is immortalised in statues and street names around the P-O.