One of the greatest things about winter is that the life of the animals and birds of the mountains is much easier to see and understand thanks to the snow.
The snow is falling in the Pyrénées and no doubt thoughts are turning to waxing and servicing skis in preparation for the opening of the pistes. But there is another snowy activity to consider : snowshoeing!
This month we’re heading up to to the mountain towns of Font Romeu and Les Angles, with a couple of stops en route to explore the historic walled towns of Villefranche and Mont Louis.
A winter Tramontane might make your eyes run and your nose stream, and even freeze the oranges and lemons on your trees – but what’s not to like about snow-capped Canigou, cloudless blue skies and crystal clear views? And even if the towns and villages go a little quiet over the winter months, there’s still loads going on in the P-O…naturally! Possibly right outside your window.
One of the greatest things about winter is that the life of the animals and birds of the mountains is much easier to see and understand thanks to the snow.
One of the greatest things about winter is that the life of the animals and birds of the mountains is much easier to see and understand thanks to the snow.
Next time you’re out for a stroll, try a form of “conscious walking”: to play detective, hunting for insights into the plants and animals that share our beautiful landscape.
If you’re wondering why the P-O is graced with fewer palms than a decade ago or why many remaining trees look sick or dead, pests in the form of a moth and weevil are to blame.
Classed as one of the ‘Grands Site de France’ any visit to the Pyrénees-Orientales is dominated by the mystic and sacred Catalan Canigou.
More than 40 years ago, thousands of starlings, (étourneaux) on their way to Africa chose Perpignan as their ideal stop-over holiday destination.
Food ‘à volonté’ of fruit, grapes, olives… mild climate, and well lit town with tree lined streets put our capital of Catalan culture at the very top of the starling ‘Must Visit’ hit list.