Castelnou
Back to the Middle Ages
Just over 20km from Perpignan at the forefront of the Massif du Canigou, the village of Castelnou stands on a rock overlooking the Vallespir. The medieval village ‘par excellence’ revolves around its famous castle at the top of this beautiful part of Occitanie with its lush, unspoilt countryside and fascinating history. Apart from its present-day renown which attracts many visitors, Castelnou was the centre of much attention and ambition during the Middle Ages because of its strategic position.
Castelnou is a charming blend of medieval buildings and unspoilt vegetation, steeped in history and with a wonderful air of serenity. It is a lovely place to stay with superb views of the Massif du Canigou and the whole region from its 450m summit.
In addition, Perpignan and the Mediterranean, the Spanish border into Catalonia via Le Perthus round off the total change of scenery provided by the region.
One of the « Loveliest Villages in France »
At the heart of Occitanie, very close to Catalonia
Once you have visited the village, continue your discovery trip of the myriad of natural and cultural attractions in Pyrénées-Orientales. The ever-visible Massif du Canigou provides the backdrop for walks in the area, even to the top of the 2,800 summit if you are feeling brave ! Perpignan has plenty of places to see including the Couvent des Minimes dating from 1575 or the Palais des Rois de Majorque, a magnificent 13th century Gothic building, once the centre of the short-lived Kingdom of Majorca.
Carry on from Perpignan towards the coast and Canet-en-Roussillon with its fine sandy beaches and generous sunshine. To the north, the Etang de Leucate is a great place for water sports like kite-surfing and windsurfing. Continue along the coast to Banyuls-sur-Mer then on into Spain, Catalonia to be more precise.
Useful information
Access and Transport
From Perpignan, take D900 to roundabout at Pont Trencat. Then take D612A, D615 and D48 to Castelnou.
Address and contact details
66300 Castelnou
Tel. : 04 68 28 32 38 (Office de Tourisme)"
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