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Address: La Route des Gorges, 66800 Llo, France
A Guide for Visiting the French Pyrenees
The Regional Park of the Catalan Pyrenees in southern France is a nature escape of cultural heritage & breathtaking hiking trails with spa hotels for recovery
Description of French Pyrenees Region
The Regional Park of the Catalan Pyrenees, Parc naturel régional des Pyrénées catalanes, is a mountainous territory in the Catalan region of France, bordering Spain and and the principality of Andorra ranging from three-hundred metres to three-thousand metres of altitude above sea level.
The region consists of three districts: Capcir (Le Capcir), Cerdanya (La Cerdagne) and Alto-Conflent (Le Haut-Conflent) over a total land area of 1371.0km² with only twenty three thousand inhabitants in sixty-four towns and villages. Capcir is a mountain landscape made of large forested areas, lakes and snow covered peaks. Cerdanya is a wide high plain where you can see grazing herds and flowery meadows in spring and snow-covered plains in winter. Alto-Conflent (nearest the sea) has a Mediterranean climate with terraced valleys, vegetable gardens and irrigation canals.
The Regional Park of the Catalan Pyrenees is a ecologically diverse nature haven hosting more than 240 protected species and is also used for green energy production with the Lac des Bouillouses hydro-electric plant, Themis solar power plant, Odeillo solar furnace and geothermal energy from hot natural springs.
Parc naturel régional des Pyrénées catalanes is also rich in cultural heritage of Romanesque and Baroque churches as well as fortified frontier towns of Mont-Louis and Villefranche-de-Conflent who's forts are now listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Running through the middle of the natural park from Latour-de-Carol to Villefranche-de-Conflent is a scenic world famous 1910 narrow gauge railway called the Yellow Train that traverses a sixty-three kilometre route serving twenty-two stations.
On this page I focus on cultural sites and hiking activities as well as Natural spa's for recuperation from the challenging hiking territory.
Happy Exploring!
French Pyrenees Thermal Baths
The French Eastern Pyrenees region is famous for the many natural springs of sulphurous water on which several thermal bath complexes have been built.
- Health benefits associated with sulphur hot springs:
- Reducing stress and increasing production of endorphin's
- Physical and mental relaxation which helps promote sleep
- Stimulation of the immune system, increasing immunity
- Naturally relieving pain
- antifungal and antibacterial properties that can soothe and even help heal the skin
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Car
Address: Aygue Calente, 66360 Fontpédrouse, France
Bains de saint thomas Thermal Baths
Three outside pools at a temperature of about 37°C in a stone greek theatre surround. Multiple hot sulfurous water spring indoor rooms at a temperature of 58°C
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Address: Chem. de la Laiterie, 66820 Vernet-les-Bains, France
Thermes de Vernet-les-bains Thermal Baths
Modern Hotel and spa complex offering thermal treatments, massages and wellness stays and activities
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Attractions in French Pyrenees Region
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French Pyrenees Weekend - Gorges de Carançà
12km circular scenic hike along Carançà river valley via suspension bridges and canyon side walkways along a forested Pyrenees mountain river
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French Pyrenees Weekend - Pic de Carlit Mountain Hike
15km Medium-Hard vertigo inducing circular mountain hiking route via lakes of the lac de Bouillouse French Pyrenees region to the 2921m Pic de Carlit summit
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French Pyrenees Weekend - Grotte Fontrabiouse Cave
The highest tourist visitable cave in France at 1530 metres showcases a 900m route through calcite caverns and passages with an underground emerald green lake
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French Pyrenees Weekend - Abbaye Saint-Martin-du-Canigou
13km circular hike from Vernet-les-Bains via forest waterfalls to the 11th Century Saint-Martin du Canigou Abbey and viewpoints in the Canigou mountains
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Map of Attractions in French Pyrenees Region
Attractions
Where to stay overnight in the A Guide for Visiting the French Pyrenees
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