Nature reserves in the sea...
Banyuls-Cerbère. Located on the border with Spain, this vast 650 ha marine area was created 40 years ago to stop the degradation of the coastline by tourism, fishing and pollution. It is the only exclusively marine nature reserve in France and extends over 6.5 km and covers 650 ha of sea between Banyuls-sur-Mer and Cerbère. The physiognomy and beauty of the Vermeille coast can be found under the surface of the water. From top to bottom, the diversity of landscapes is astonishing, nearly 1,700 plant and animal species have been recorded. The typical species of the Mediterranean rocky coasts are well represented. Visible in July and August thanks to the development of an underwater trail that can be discovered with snorkels and fins, starting from the beach of Peyrefitte.
Mas Larrieu. On both sides of the river Le Tech, on the territory of the communes of Elne and Argelès-sur-Mer, the reserve extends over 145 ha. Three types of environment can be found on the site: beaches, reedbeds and riparian forests. It is one of the last "wild" sites of the Roussillon coastline. It has become a "refuge zone" for many animal and plant species. Despite its small size, the site is marked by a strong landscape heterogeneity. This is made up of 33 natural habitats, three of which are mentioned as being of European interest: the Mediterranean dune belt, the riparian environments of the Tech and the Riberette, and the hay meadows. A discovery trail, information panels and a picnic area have been set up to facilitate the visit.
... to the ground
Prats-de-Mollo. Located in the Haut-Vallespir, 60 km from Perpignan, the site covers 2,300 ha. This territory stretches from the sources of the Tech to Pla Guillem over a length of 11 km and a width of about 2 km. Rising from 1,490 m to 2,507 m, it is characterized by its plant diversity: beech trees, hooked pines, firs. The large fauna emblematic of the Pyrenean mountains is well represented here. Among the mammals, there are the isard, the forest cat, the ermine and the Pyrenean desman. Among the avifauna, we find the golden eagle, the griffon vulture, the bearded vulture, the capercaillie, the ptarmigan, the grey mountain partridge... Amphibians and reptiles are represented by the Pyrenean euproct, the salamander, the red frog, the garter snake and the asp viper.
Vallée d'Eyne
. The nature reserve, with a surface area of 1,177 ha, is situated at an altitude of between 1,700 m and 2,800 m and is known as the "valley of flowers". The lower part of the valley is covered by a forest of hooked pines and higher up, the moors occupy a large area. There are many springs. The Eyne valley is renowned among botanists for its wealth of medicinal plants, some of which are endemic to the Pyrenees. In terms of animal life, we note the presence of deer, roe deer, foxes, martens, isards, mouflons and marmots. No less than 82 species of nesting birds have been recorded. Among the butterflies, we can see the large and the semi-apollo, as for the insects, the valley is remarkable with the presence of 32 species of bumblebees. Here, ecotourism is in the spotlight. As for the house of the Reserve, it organizes exhibitions, nature outings...La Massane
. It is one of the first reserves created in France (1973) with a surface area of about 336 ha, this reserve is also known as the "Couloumates forest". Located in the easternmost part of the Albères, it has not been exploited by man for over a century, which makes it possible to present it as an example of what could be a primary forest in the Pyrenean mountains. It is considered to be one of the last 40 old forests in the Mediterranean basin. Today, the site is an observation station for the evolution of the flora and fauna when humans no longer intervene in the forest ecosystem. At the top, you will have an unmissable view.Py
. Bordering the nature reserves of Nyer and Mantet, this territory of 3,930 ha is located between the massifs of Canigó and Costabona. The site ranges in altitude from 950 to 2,465 m. and has a succession of hilly, mountainous, sub-alpine and alpine vegetation. The forest is omnipresent with oak, birch and hazelnut trees as well as hooked pines. The large fauna is represented by isards, wild boars, golden eagles... Small mammals and mustelids are numerous in the meadows and along the waterways. One notes the presence of a great number of invertebrates.Mantet
. Between the Canigó and Carançà massifs, with a surface area of 3,000 ha, the Mantet nature reserve stretches around the Alemany valley and is situated at an altitude of 1,400 m to 2,700 m. It is characteristic of ancient glacial valleys. The contrast of the slopes is particularly clear, with the forest of hooked pines on the northern slope and open environments on the southern slope. The animal species that live here are typical of those traditionally found in the Pyrenean mountains. Pastoral activity is still very present, especially during the summer months.Nyer
. In the heart of the Haut-Conflent, bordering on those of Py and Mantet, the nature reserve of Nyer covers 2,200 ha, i.e. nearly 60% of the total surface area of the commune. It rises from 730 m to 2,663 m at the Serre Gallinière peak. Its northern entrance is characterized by narrow and spectacular gorges. The forest landscape varies according to the valley, the Nyer valley has more deciduous than coniferous trees, whereas the Carença valley is dominated by the hooked pine.Jujols
. To the north of the municipality of Jujols, with a surface area of 472 ha, it begins at an altitude of 1,100 m and reaches the summit of Mount Coronat at 2,172 m, dominating the valley of the Têt. The limestone cliffs on the southern slopes of Madres-Coronat provide a vast reservoir of heat, creating favourable conditions for Mediterranean plants, which are generally absent at these altitudes (holm oaks, thyme, lavender, etc.). The beauty of the landscape here is the result of contrasts. The fauna is also remarkable and of great diversity.Nohèdes
. On a territory of 2 100 ha, the nature reserve of Nohèdes extends over 10 km and is situated between 760 m and 2 459 m of altitude. The natural environments are contrasted and diversified, in a few kilometres, depending on the exposure and the altitude, one goes from the Mediterranean influence to the almost arctic winter rigour. The reserve is home to a great wealth of flora, with 1,100 plant species listed on the territory, including 41 species of orchids that have long been known by generations of botanists. The omnipresence of the forest and the steep slopes constitute refuge zones for the fauna: deer, roe deer, isards, genets, forest cats and ermines are well present, as are the large birds of prey.Conat. On a territory of 543 ha, the nature reserve of Conat in the Conflent is situated between 700 m and 1,680 m. The contrast between the arid summit plateau, sown with moors and lawns, and the slopes, covered with moors or Scots pines depending on their exposure, is great. Man, through his agro-pastoral activity, has contributed to the creation of open spaces favourable to the development of plant species, some of which are Mediterranean and reach record heights.
Sports in the heart of nature
Cycling
Several greenways and cycle paths have been developed in the department for cycle tourism. They are often made of "smooth asphalt" and are safe when possible. 3 cross-border and European routes cross the department: Eurovelo 8, Pirenexus and Véloroute V81. All information on: www.tourisme-pyreneesorientales.com and www.pyrenees-orientales.ffct.org
MOUNTAIN BIKING
The French Cycling Federation has created 3 sites with the FFC-VTT label in the Catalan country:
- Haut Vallespir (16 routes) -
www.sudcanigo.com- Pyrénées Catalanes (36 routes) - www.capcir-pyrenees.co
- Espace VTT Madres- Coronat (18 routes) - www.tourisme-canigou.com
- Base VTT Vallée de l'Agly (16 routes). FFCT approved routes. www.cc-aglyfenouilledes.fr - www.vttclubdufenouilledes.jimdo.comLes
communes and communities of communes have also created 3 mountain bike bases on emblematic sites:- Vallée de l'Agly mountain bike base (16 routes). FFCT approved circuits. www.cc-aglyfenouilledes.fr
-www.vttclubdufenouilledes.jimdo.com- Base VTT Valmy - Argelès sur Mer (10 circuits) - www.argeles-sur-mer.com/vtt
- Espace VTT - Le Canigou (12 circuits) - www.tourisme-canigou.com
As a general rule, the tourist offices offer you free downloads of the circuits. You can find more information on the FFC website: https: //sitesvtt.ffc.fr/trace-vtt or on www.vtopo.fr
Hiking
- 4 long-distance hiking trails cross the department: the GR10, GR36, GR7, GR107 and GRT83.⁃
9 trails are approved as Grande Randonnée de Pays (GRP): the Tour du Capcir (70 km), the Tour du Carlit (52 km), the Tour de Cerdagne (68 km), the Tour des Fenouillèdes (114 km), the Tour du Vallespir (85 km), the Ronde du Canigó, the Tour du Canigó, the Tour du Vallespir and the Tour des Réserves naturelles.⁃ 50 walking and hiking trails, meeting a quality charter have received PR approval (590 km). Cerdagne-Capcir, Haut-Conflent, Corbières-Fenouillèdes or Albères and Vallespir will no longer hold any secrets for you.
The tourist offices provide you with topos and maps (downloadable PDFs) to walk the paths in complete safety. Finally, the websites of the ADT and the Department are a mine of information.
www.tourisme-pyreneesorientales.com/experience/randonnees
www.rando66.fr
