Thuir, lively little town in the Aspres, is probably most famous for the Caves Byrrh.
A delightful and very interesting circuit of 3 hours, with 460 metres of ascent. Most of the route is in forest and offers good protection from the sun.
With quaint, cobbled streets, pretty squares, lively shops, restaurants, and bars, and art and music museums, there is certainly enough temptation to hang around the town, but there is plenty going on around and about too.
A high drive circuit from Céret, along winding, sometimes narrow roads, through unexploited countryside, remote hamlets and villages with great walking opportunities and superb views.
Chateau Fort Liberia is perched above the beautiful village of Villefranche de Conflent.
We were waiting on the platform for Le Train Jaune.
If you like visiting ruined châteaux, head north to the valley of the Orbiel. Just twenty minutes from Carcassonne is the village of Lastours. High on a ridge above the village, four separate châteaux stand in a line: Cabaret, Tour Régine, Surdespine and Quertinheux.
Back in medieval times Collioure’s reputation revolved around the salting of anchovies, sardines and tuna.
Out for the Day… in Eyne, the Valley of Flowers. Need a tonic? How about fresh mountain air, kaleidoscopes of wild flowers, serene mouflon and shy izzards grazing, bubbling water features, bumblebees, butterflies and beetles, maybe even a little late snow?
Le Chateau de Castelnou originally re-opened to the public in 2021 after a four-year closure due to safety issues.