As we all know that France is one of the best place to trvel.The department of Pyrenees-Orientales is located on the border between France and Spain, on the Mediterranean coast. As well as being home to some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in the country, visitors to Pyrenees-Orientales can enjoy visiting beautiful beaches and historic cities like Perpignan and Collioure.
The Tet Valley is one of the most beautiful parts of the Pyrenees-Orientales, a route through the mountains that can either be explored by car or on foot. The region is full of small villages, roadside chirches and fabulous places to stop and take a photograph. In the winter, these villages become ski resorts as more people arrive to take advantage of the snowy weather and good ski runs.
In the area around Cerdagne, you can find thermal springs to relax in or you can try something a bit more active, such as kayaking on one of the many mountain rivers or the Bouillouses Lake, 2,700 metres up in the Pyrenees. The village of Bourg Madame is typical of the region, but is of particular interest as it is one of the closest settlements on the French side of the Spanish border.
The city of the Perpignan is the closest major French town to Spain and is a real mix of cultures, particularly influenced by North African immigrants who have opened some fabulous restaurants. The Palace of the King of Mallorca is the main historical attraction in the town and the gardens and courtyard are still worth visiting today.
The best way to see Perpignan is to wander around the cobbled streets of the ancient centre and stumble upon some of the very ordinary, yet beautiful buildings. If you want to fit in with the locals, then pick up some snails to go from one of the many delicacies in town and take them to the Saint Vincens garden, where you can eat them under the shade of one of the orange trees.
There are some busy tourist resorts on the coast in Pyrenees-Orientales, such as the town of Argeles sur Mer, which will get very busy in the summer. The village of Collioure, a little further south, should be a little quieter, even at the height of the season. The village itself is based around a small harbour and is a great place to eat fresh seafood. North and south of the village itself are a number of small sheltered coves, some sandy and some with pebbles, which are ideal for young families.
