Canet en Roussillon and St Cyprien: the two largest resorts in Pyrenees Orientales
Pyrenees Orientales is a department located in the Languedoc-Roussillon region, a corner of France known for its authenticity and the variety of its landscapes. The first Pyrenean ski resorts and the border with Spain are located west while the beaches bordered by the Mediterranean Sea are located east. A Land of History meeting tourism in the 60s with the construction of numerous facilities along Côte Vermeille, it is now a destination with an ideal climate, 320 days of sunshine a year!
The two most popular seaside resorts are those of Canet en Roussillon and St Cyprien. The first one seduces by the authenticity of its village and long beach welcoming all types of holidaymakers. The 9 km of sand cut into area form the 9 beaches of Canet en Roussillon. Labelled Blue Flag of Europe and Handiplage, the beaches are particularly appealing to families, children enjoy the gently sloping sand banks, which form natural playgrounds. Athletes are not left behind, as jet skiing, kite surfing, catamaran, scuba diving or windsurfing are part of the activities on offer.
Canet-Plage: beachfront cafes
The old village is very nice, especially when one approaches it from the road of Santa Maria and that this former stronghold in charge of monitoring the sea is discovered. The narrow streets and the remains of the city wall are full of charm and one can admire the castle of Esparrou and the Canet architecture, beautiful mansions dating from the last century, during beautiful walks. All around, nature is a haven of peace, especially at the pond of Canet Saint Nazaire, the ideal place to watch flamingos and many other bird species.
An old fishermen's hut
Beach in St Cyprien with a private beach
The resort of Saint-Cyprien, known for its beach and terroir that one can discover the wonders of at the traditional market in Rodin Square, near the sea, is located not far away. Catalan specialties and wines from Roussillon mix together to delight gourmets between two sea trips on catamarans or an introduction to wakeboarding or water-skiing! Active villa, Saint-Cyprien offers a wide choice of activities indeed. Trails and bike paths are built everywhere, the opportunity to admire apricot fields or watch the sunrise through the Promenade on the seafront. The “Castanyada I VI Nou” Primeur festival is an opportunity to taste the wines of the region and in summer the city also hosts an international dance festival and the Arts and the Chamber Music one, which attracts many enthusiasts. Saint-Cyprien is a city of culture and museums are its pride, including the François Desnoyers foundation, which displays Picasso, Miro, Gauguin and Toulouse-Lautrec.
The main square next to the port of St Cyprien with restaurants and shops
The 5 km long beach has two ports and several marinas, perfect for admiring the boats docking there. Note that dogs on leash are allowed on the beaches (except around the tourist office), which is very unusual. Further away, the Bocal of Tech with its beach is a wild and authentic place, the opportunity for new strolls! Further north, the beaches of Torreilles remained wild, the resort is not well known.
