Sports and leisure activities Pyrénées-Orientales

The walk is a little long (2 h 30) and presents some small difficulties: We recommend it more to seasoned brin than novice hikers. However, don't expect to sweat blood and water! The departure is given in Port-Blab, at the level of the ruined military buildings. Already, the tower takes pride in the distance: here you will immediately get into the bath. Then, between tracks and paths, your itinerary leads you to sumptuous points of view, here on the seaside resorts of Argelès-sur-Mer, Saint-Cyprien or Canet, there on the Corbières chain, further on the vineyards on the hillside.

Tariff: free.

Duration: 2 p. m.

Difficulty: .

Organiser of outings, weekends and outdoor courses such as canyoning, mountain biking, climbing, rafting, hydrospeed, sea and river kayaking, via ferrata... Multidisciplinary and very professional, Sabrina and Jean from In Extremis Aventura will help you discover the department in its adventure and open air version. Whatever the activity, quality equipment is provided. The spearhead of In Extremis remains canyoning, an activity that starts at the age of 8 and is available in several versions depending on the level of each person. And in Vallespir, the canyons are magnificent!

Sailing, dinghy sailing or catamaran sailing at an altitude of 1,500 m is possible, the Ourson sailing club offers you the beach in the mountains. A supervised beach with water games and various water sports activities. Pedal boats, canoes, stand-up paddles, kayaks and windsurfing boards for hire. You will also benefit from a restaurant service in a paradisiacal setting in the heart of the Matte forest and numerous activities for children next to the nautical club.

Really nice and pleasant dives in this club where good mood reigns. The instructors know their job perfectly and moreover they like it. As far as services are concerned, it's classic: first dives, training from level 1 to level 4, and you can even learn Tek. On the practical side, the parking lot is very close, so you can forget about the hassle of carrying your equipment to the club. The equipment, that of the club, is in perfect condition. Safety first.

Sleds attached to each other to form an articulated snake, a monitor in the first sled and at the controls... and off you go! The Snake Gliss is an ultra-playful activity, somewhere between bobsleigh and toboggan. Sensations guaranteed for young and old because the activity is open from 3 years old. Your pilot is Julien, a local child who will make you have a good time safely. Different formulas are proposed, even a night with a good meal or the discovery of the lake site of Les Camporells.

The Tourist Office and the association Torreilles Vivre le sport have created routes to discover the village and its surroundings. Wild coastline, typical streets of Old Torreilles and highlights of its cultural heritage: Naturavélo offers three circuits of 9 km, 14 km or 20 km, considered easy and ideal for family walks. You can reach Le Barcarès, Sainte-Marie, Rivesaltes and even Perpignan. You will discover raw landscapes with the Catalan Pyrenees and the mythical Canigó as a backdrop.

The Maison de la Vallée is a museum and an interpretation center, in short a place of discovery and awareness of natural heritage. The association offers guided tours on the theme of botany. Walks are organized to discover the natural floral reserve of the Eyne Valley, nicknamed "the valley of 1,000 flowers". These various species have been studied for nearly three centuries and today it serves as a reference for botanists around the world. An afternoon in the Eyne valley is pure enchantment, don't miss it!

Novice or experienced, all golfers will appreciate the panoramic views, the naturally undulating course offering a multitude of playing situations and the exceptional location at over 1,800 meters altitude of this 9-hole, par 36, 2,517 m long golf course. The 9-hole sanctioned course (one of the highest in Europe) is very uneven, with a succession of up and down fairways. Intensive and relaxation courses, competitions from June to the end of September and, in winter, a snow golf tournament with small orange balls.

The underwater trail can be visited by swimming on the surface, equipped with a mask, snorkel and fins. A series of submerged panels serve as a guide and take you into the world of silence. You explore the small rocky depths of the marine reserve in 5 stages over a distance of 250 metres in complete safety, with lifeguards watching over the area during opening hours. The visit is commented directly to your ears with the help of the FM snorkel. A beautiful and tasty initiation to the discovery of the fascinating ecosystem of the Côte Vermeille.

This international diving center, in existence since 1954 and approved by the French Ministry of Youth and Sports and the FFESSM (Fédération française d'études et de sports sous-marins), offers you first-rate equipment and staff to discover the Côte Vermeille seabed. First dives take place by appointment on the rocky seabed in Collioure Bay, and daily snorkeling excursions are organized (equipment provided).

The Tour of Capcir in 6 days is possible with Bruno and Claudine. The time of your hike, it is a pack donkey which carries your pack. Night in a gîte, bivouac or evening around the fire, for itinerant stays close to nature. Stays are organized specifically for children from 7 to 14 years, the discovery of the mountain of plants and its wildlife, they love it and ask for more. Vagabond'âne is also a small farm with a culture of red fruits - supplemented by wild gathering - to produce jams.

Located in Matte Forest, it brings together many activities for the summer: swimming, sailing school, pedal boats, fishing, mountain biking, sports trails, golf courses, golf courses, horse riding, horse rental, archery and adventure tours.

Diving under the ice in winter is an unforgettable experience, almost poetic for some enthusiasts: the bubbles stick to the icy ceiling, the sun makes its way through the hole dug in the lake, the light rays are almost palpable, no blue around you but green. If you are tempted by the experience, go for 20 minutes of extreme sensations, warm in a waterproof suit, secured by a life line. The diving is done with a Réderis Plongée instructor. Approved by the Federation of diving and youth and sports.

Gérard and Pascale Puig and their team will help you discover and enjoy the Grande Bleue, whether you are a beginner or an expert. The exceptional sites are always chosen according to the weather of the day. You will be able to explore the Banyuls Cerbère Marine Nature Reserve in complete safety and experienced divers (level 2 minimum) will dive on wrecks just a stone's throw from Spanish waters. In winter, the centre offers ice diving courses in the Catalan Pyrenees at the resort of Les Angles (January and February).

Mondovelo Prades isn't just a store where you can share your passion for cycling, it's also the only place in the region to rent electrically-assisted bikes. You can choose between 3 ranges: the VTC, the semi-rigid mountain bike or the full-suspension mountain bike. At last, an address that will make the beautiful trails leading up to the Canigó via the Cortalets refuge accessible! And for old-fashioned handlebar enthusiasts, you can also rent racing bikes. And don't forget the superb sales area dedicated to hiking!

Kitesurfing - that is to say, gliding on the water towed by a kite - is not necessarily a violent sport and requires a lot of experience. With Benoit, you will discover that this popular sport rhymes with comfort and fun. Lessons in small groups (3 students) in shallow water on the beautiful pond of Salses, in radio link with the instructor. Nothing surprising because Benoit spent 15 years in mountain rescue. We recommend you this school because both the state of mind and the courses are top notch! Wing-foil, e-foil and paddle courses are available.

A special mention for these two young entrepreneurs, who have succeeded in the technical feat of creating an indoor playground of physical games rooted in digital, eco-responsible and interconnected technologies. Designers, developers and manufacturers of play parks made with 100% locally recovered materials for an eco-responsible approach (12 tons of recycled materials for this first E-Ko Land Parc). Create your own family, friends or corporate team and challenge other teams. Scores are online in real time. At last, the human element comes to the fore. Bravo!

A playground for swimmers, sportsmen and lovers of aquatic leisure activities, it offers numerous infrastructures adapted to all ages and all publics. In addition to the classic aquatic offer - indoor pool and multiple outdoor pools - it offers a multi-lane pentagliss for a good dose of fun and a relaxation area with a hammam and a spa. The offer is completed by a wide range of activities all year round: swimming lessons, aquagym classes, aquabike sessions, aquababy sessions for families.

Floriane is a bubbly young lady who offers riding lessons for all levels (including refresher courses and confidence-building) in a magnificent natural setting. Le Petit Futé fell in love with the horseback treks (from an hour to a week) between sea and mountains: from the Albères to the peaks of Vallespir. The concept is really brilliant: discovery of sumptuous valleys, swimming in streams and accommodation in the high mountains, the supervision is really very professional and the emotions are just right. We simply love it!

Dare to discover the Catalan Country with a new means of locomotion: the electric all-terrain scooter. Unusual rides guaranteed. Let yourself be transported by the relief, on the paths, in the forest, on the border heights, in our villages. These scooters look more like trial bikes or mountain bikes than Fantomette's machine. The vehicle quickly tamed and it is happiness at the helm... without forcing and without a noise! So much for the busy but wonderful and sparkling program. Le Futé simply loved it!

The Cathedral! Some might think that this nickname given to the Aimé-Giral stadium is a little pompous! And yet, at every home match, the USAP becomes the high priestess of a veritable sporting mass. The fans line the stands with blood and gold banners; here, we say "Maî morirem! "(We never die!) because USAP is more than a club, it's a religion. Aimé-Giral is the kind of stadium where you don't want to be a visitor when theEstaca rings out, 11,000 hearts singing in unison! An incredible moment.

Oygen Adventure, which has set up its base camp at the foot of the Galamus Gorge in a remarkable location, offers you the opportunity to improve your climbing skills, learn about speleology, climb ferratas vias or descend canyons all year round. And there is a choice in the department! To go further and expand its activities, Oxygen also takes you to the Aude to share a friendly adventure in rafting, hydrospeed or kayaking, or to the Ariège to discover the underground world or mountain canyons. With friends, family or alone, the whole team adapts and offers you tailor-made solutions to make your experience unforgettable.

This is a boutique that is now essential for fishing lovers. Rudy and Loïc are passionate about sea fishing, but also very sharp on the river and trout. In their store, sorted by category, cannes, reels, leures and other landing cottoient, clothing and storage boxes. The store does not always, because many fishermen are looking for live baits or renewing their fishing cards, which are the agents of the French Federation of Fisheries, with the photo for the licence taken directly. Beware, if you walk through the door of their shop, you will let yourself be seduced and won't leave empty. Ah! Poor fishermen…

The stadium is named after a local rugby XV player, manager and referee who died in 1944 as a result of the war. Dedicated since time immemorial to XIII rugby, this is the home of our "Catalan Dragons". The seats are decked out in the Catalan colors of "sang et or". It can accommodate 11,200 people - over 8,000 seated - and boasts a bodega, a 400 m² boutique and a brasserie. The club's partners are welcomed in a 500 m² VIP lounge, while a panoramic box seating 400 people crowns the building.

The Comité Spéléologique Départemental des Pyrénées-Orientales is an organization offering caving activities in the town of Fontrabiouse. The committee's website, www.cds66.fr, can also provide further information.

The Spéléo-Club des Garrotxes is a caving club based in Ayguatébia-Talau.

The Association Aéronautique La LLagonne is an association under the French law of 1901, run entirely by volunteers - the only salaried employee is the chief pilot during the two summer months - who are passionate about gliding. They are the ones who run the aeronautical club and the glider piloting school in the mountains on the airfield. A legendary club throughout France, because this region is sublime from above. Introductory flights take place in summer, and all the info is on the website.

In the mountains, the small village of Prats-de-Mollo offers a thousand years of history to discover. Browse the ramparts to atteintre the castle's cannons, take the underground passages to access the best hidden clues, and this small village with Hispanic sonorité will have no secrets for you! An interactive, playful and educational hike where both the small and the large will enjoy their happiness.

Tariff: free.

Distance: 4 km.

Difficulty: .

To speak of the "Battle of Le Boulou" would be a little bit wrong since the site actually saw two battles, one in 1793 and the other in 1794. Both occurred during the Roussillon War, during the wars of the French Revolution of the First Coalition. That's it for the few introductory words; for the rest, refer to the 18 explanatory panels that mark out the route, they will allow everyone to understand the history of the place.

As its name suggests, this Véloroute runs along the beaches, and is only accessible by bike. Too bad for pedestrians, who will have to find another option. Built as part of a larger project that will later link Le Barcarès to Argelès-Plage, its 13 kilometers provide a pleasant opportunity for training between Le Barcarès and Canet-Plage. Made up of 70% Voie Verte, most of the track runs along the RD 81.

The two resorts of Font-Romeu and Pyrénées 2000 offer you more than 110 kilometers of marked and traced Nordic ski trails. Thanks to the quality of its snow and its facilities, the area is popular with the greatest athletes, who come to train there. However, rest assured, there is something for everyone: before becoming a great champion, you can already progress on green, blue and red trails. Pleasant hikes in summer.

It's a walk like they love, which leads us to discover the natural heritage of the region by giving us, of course, some explanations about local flora. At the time of the 1,6 km course, the trail climbs up the hill to reach its peak, the television relay located near the hermitage. From here, the panoramic view lends itself to an extended stop: take the time to contemplate it. But if the spectacle is grandiose, let us not forget that of the cross-cutting vegetation: depending on soil orientation, it changes considerably!

Tariff: free.

Distance: 3,3 km return.

Duration: 1 h.

Difficulty: .

Plongée Bleue is a diving center oriented towards the protection of the marine environment through concrete daily actions and steps aimed at minimizing its impact on the environment to be in accordance with its values and ethics. The whole team is working hard to make you feel like a fish in the water. The little extra that touched us in their home is the welcome of an "extra ordinary" public: autistic youngsters, young people in reintegration activities, deaf and hard of hearing people, motor and cognitive handicaps... A beautiful philosophy!

A leisure area for multiple sensations! Argelès Aventure is a forest acrobatic park where you can evolve safely in aerial games. Looking for a more refreshing experience? Go to the canyoning park and discover its unique concept in the world: sensations of a natural canyon, with maximum safety or at the super Drop In, water slides. For the more daring, there is the "Extreme Tower" for jumps into the void of 8, 11 or 28 m!

There are plenty of bike hire companies on the coast, but we chose Sea Bike and Sun for 3 reasons: Fabien is located in the Mar Estang campsite, just a stone's throw (literally) from the cycle path that runs along the coast and along the ponds. The offer is vast and the service is very professional: from mountain bikes to electric bikes, trailers or cargo bikes, Fabien has everything to seduce you. Finally, inexhaustible on the region and ideas for excursions, he will be able to advise you, guide you and share his little secrets of rides.

Dreaming of a sleigh ride with 4 or 6 Siberian huskies in a Christmas decor? Sylvain will make your wish come true. The program includes a 30-minute, 5-kilometer ride through the Cerdagne forests. And then, if you wish, a musher initiation to lead your own crew. During snow-free periods, the solution is the Cani-Trottinette, with one or two dogs. Quite sporty, as you need a good calf to help the dog, but so much fun!

After Paradise Aventure, Canyoning Park and the extreme tower, young and old will enjoy the Drop'in fresh water sliding games. 18 tracks to have fun with your children or your friends, Drop'in Donuts, Crazy Jump, Crazy Slide or Drop'in tracks. For the older ones, I owe you an explanation: these are sliding games on a buoy, surf, board or ski with jumps for all levels. Teenagers love it. Of course, everything is safe and supervised, so the little ones can have fun from 5 years old. Success guaranteed.

The Eurovélo 8, or Mediterranean cycle route, which links Cadiz to Athens, i.e. 5,388 km, and Pirinexus, the cross-border cycle touring loop between Southern Catalonia and Northern Catalonia, i.e. 353 km, meet in Le Boulou. We strongly advise you to get the guide book in order to make the most of the richness of the Catalan country. You will find, at the Tourist Office of Le Boulou, the Voie Verte cycling guide as well as all the good addresses where you can taste the local products and of course where to stay along your route.

This place is now a residence worthy of the name with renovated rooms. A revamped dining room... Bluffed the Petit Futé ! And what about the instructors for archery, mountain biking, external professionals for hiking, canyoning and so on. On the equipment side, a 1,200^m2 multifunctional room dedicated to all indoor sports, a relaxation area with sauna, hammam, whirlpool and cryo, and finally, meeting rooms with auditorium and giant screen.

Far from the crowd of the seaside, the lake of Escoumes of Vinça, with in panorama our beautiful Canigó, proposes you nautical activities for the children from 3 years, thanks to a mini-park especially conceived for them. From 6 years old, inflatable games on water will make the joy of the biggest with the Aquagliss. But teenagers, adults and seniors are not forgotten, paddles, kayaks and pedal boats for a lot of fun. You think the water is too cold? Then enjoy a quad bike tour from 6 years old or a game of laser-game (on reservation).

PRA 66 cultivates the family spirit, and customers love it. Try canyoning from beginners to experienced sportsmen with high quality equipment and video of your exploits offered. For quad biking, an A or B licence is required and you can go for an adventure on paths with a view of the Canigó and the Salses ponds. The children will discover the games of skill on target and the older ones will let off steam at the paint ball. Only on reservation.

Club Nautique de Collioure is a sailing club located on the Saint-Vincent beach in Collioure. It offers sailing courses for all levels, from beginner to advanced. Courses generally take place on RS Féva, 3m70 boats ideal for learning the basics of double-handed sailing. The club welcomes people from 12 to 77 years of age and offers the possibility of sailing with mainsail, jib and asymmetric spinnaker on downwind points of sail. The Club Nautique de Collioure aims to develop sailing, particularly among young people. It works with the Fédération Française de Voile, the Collioure town council and the Occitanie region to achieve this goal.

Summer is never dull at the Airelles leisure center. The snow has melted, but not the activities. The principle of the Devalkart is simple: a non-motorized machine that you effortlessly hoist to the top of a ski run (thanks to the ski lift that operates in summer) and with which you descend in complete tranquillity or at full throttle... and it's really fun! It's safe for all ages from 7 to 77. Depending on your mood and profile, you can also discover scooters, quad bikes and aerotrampoline. Lots to do in an exceptional setting.

In the Pyrenees-Orientales, the great West is the Capcir. Claire, Yves and their son will take you on horseback through the great wild spaces during one day or more rides with bivouac in the nature or night in a gîte. On the menu: discovery of the Garrotxes, tour of Carlit, stag bellowing, Bouillouses lake... The horses raised in large parks in semi-freedom transhume twice a year on the mountain paths, since their youngest age, to connect the summer pastures in altitude and those of winter in the scrublands of Fenouillèdes.

Through mountains and forests, Equisud accompanies you in the heart of the wide open spaces of the Capcir to discover the local wild west on horseback. Mathieu and his team will share with you unique moments during one or several days of riding or initiation to outdoor riding. The love of horses, the respect of nature and the passion of the job animate the Equisud animators. They pay particular attention to animal welfare, just like their colleagues at Cheval-rando and La Tramontane. Try the experience!

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced surfer, you will be able to surf even in the middle of winter with indoor temperatures that will make you drop your shirt. After a 5 minute briefing, you're off for 50 minutes of laughter and sliding under the eyes of your instructors who will help you to stay upright in the first moments, before "letting go" on the wave in complete safety, but only from 8 years old. On the trampoline side, if you are over 6 years old and weigh less than 100 kg, you will lose your calories during 1 hour bouncing in your space. Ideal for birthdays.

"One name, two worlds": climbing and jaja! A 400^m2 bouldering room where you can move around without ropes or harnesses. A real cellar where our climbers produce red, white and rosé wines. Finally, a relaxation area to quench your thirst or have lunch after a good sweaty session. The whole team is there to welcome you, to supervise you and to help you in your progression: courses, training courses... All the information is on the website. Le Petit Futé loved this original idea of mixing vine and rock and wishes long life to La Grappe Escalade.

Fun Bike Center is first and foremost a bicycle shop. But to explore the paths of Vallespir, you can rent electric mountain bikes from Haibike, model 2018. The whole team of the shop is also there to guide you towards the trails and loops marked out according to your level. And in the area, there is no shortage of paths and trails and they will take you up to the border ridges at an altitude of over 1000 m. We welcome this initiative as it is the only mountain bike and VTAE rental shop in the Vallespir.

Today, it is said that the children who come here do not want to go home... and neither do their parents, it seems! Come and discover the Labyrinth of a Thousand Flowers, a space of play and discovery in the middle of nature for the whole family. Don't lose your Ariadne's thread and beware of the terrible Minotaur who hides among the metal, wood and bamboo mazes or the parks and gardens cultivated and maintained without pesticides. A treat for the whole family, especially since the botanical gardens are of great beauty (the orangery has more than 60 varieties of citrus fruits) and will delight adults while the children have fun in the Laby Spalsh (bathing suit required). The owners are always full of crazy and original ideas to develop new structures over the years, but they are also convinced of organic farming and of a healthy and sustainable development for the planet. Note the events organized throughout the year such as the egg hunt at Easter, the haunted maze or the nocturnes in summer. All the information is on the site. Finally, a real snack under a straw hut with a misting system offers "from seed to plate" salads for vegetarians, hamburgers with organic meat, organic syrups and juices... Le Petit Futé loved the place not only for its botanical wealth, its incredible labyrinths but also for the ecological commitment of the owners. Bravo !

Cap Cerbère is ideally located in the heart of the marine reserve, the marine park and a few miles from the Cape Creus reserve in southern Catalonia. Exploration dives, training dives, snorkeling, but also photo courses (underwater), bio courses (underwater life), ice diving (in winter). A lot of activities for a dynamic center with a legendary welcome. In addition, you will love Cerbère, this small village at the end of France, less frequented than its brothers and sisters on the Côte Vermeille, and with such an authentic atmosphere.