Pyrénées-Orientales: a week with the family

To get a first impression of the Pyrénées-Orientales, why not visit its capital, Perpignan? Perpignan is the epitome of Catalan culture. With its narrow streets and authentic, colourful neighbourhoods, you'll love getting lost in the city's hypercentre and taking in its emblematic monuments, like the Castillet, which was once the city's fortified gateway in the 14th century, then became a state prison, before becoming the permanent home of the Musée des Arts et des Traditions populaires. The museum showcases Catalan heritage, with three rooms devoted to the major events that have marked the history of the region and the town. The Castillet is much more than a monument, it is the emblem of Perpignan.

Another monument not to be missed in Perpignan is the Château des Rois de Majorque. This former fortress can be visited and allows visitors to discover another facet of Perpignan, at a time when the city was the continental capital, encompassing the entire territory of the Balearic Islands, as well as the Montpellier conurbation and parts of northern and southern Catalonia.

Just a short drive from Perpignan (as the locals like to call it) and you'll find a lovely lake where you can spend a pleasant day with the family and relax with your feet in the water. This is the lake at Villeneuve-de-la-Raho, which has several areas, including one reserved for swimming and water-based leisure activities, one for lakeside walks and one for picnics, with barbecue facilities available to visitors. Tourists and locals alike particularly enjoy gathering around the lake to enjoy a convivial moment.

Argelès-sur-Mer is known as Europe's camping capital and is the favourite destination for young people in the Pyrénées-Orientales. As well as children's play areas on the campsites, the town offers a wide range of leisure activities, including mini-golf, funfairs and children's clubs on the beaches. If you want to be sure of pleasing your little one, a day out at Argelès-sur-Mer is a sure bet!

Collioure is a small village in the Pyrénées Orientales, ideal for a sunny holiday between sea and mountains. Situated in a cove just 26 kilometres from Spain, Collioure is a colourful, lively town that appeals to the most energetic and history buffs alike. Its fine sandy beach is the ideal place to spread out your towel and indulge in a session of sunbathing or reading on the beach.

Finally, it would be a shame to go to Collioure without exploring the old town, in particular the quartier Moré, the town's most picturesque district. You can recognise it by the colourful facades of its houses. A former seafarers' and fishermen's quarter, it is made up of a maze of steep, picturesque streets. This is where you'll feel Collioure's atmosphere of yesteryear.

After several days away from the department's most popular tourist spots, it's time to discover the Catalan hinterland and its little-known treasures. But the fact that it's lesser-known doesn't mean it's any less sumptuous. Sorède is a typically Catalan village, with houses built of colourful stone and numerous squares, often with a café terrace, where the locals meet and mingle from morning till night. A very special atmosphere reigns here.

For a nature outing, head for the Vallée heureuse de Sorède, aptly named, and the Vallée des tortues, a family animal park dedicated to this very special animal.

In Céret's old town, you can lose yourself in the narrow streets and enjoy a well-deserved break in one of the town's shady squares. These give Céret plenty of character. Don't miss a visit to the Museum of Modern Art, with works by Picasso, Chagall, Dufy and Dali.