Between the coast and the Pyrenees: exploring Catalan roots

Catalonia's only natural park, the Aigüestortes Park displays a landscape of great mountains providing unexpected might and awesome positive energy, and yet, what are we in the face of these summits that peak at more than 3,000 meters of altitude? Walk around Estany de Sant Maurici and admire the mountains' summit. Intense communion with nature!

These incredible mountain landscapes form one of the largest natural parks in Catalonia. The stunning mountain of Pedraforca has not one, but two peaks; it is a particularly popular area for mountaineers and one of the most beautiful hiking sites in Catalonia.

Located south of Fornells, the small beach of Aiguablava is a small wonder. In this landscape of rocks and pines, this beach is enclosed within a small cove. Like a postcard, with sand licked by crystal clear water. A few steps away, the ruins of Empúries are home to stunning Greek and Roman remains. A very impressive site...

A truly emblematic location in the Pyrénées-Orientales, Pic du Canigou is considered a sacred mountain in Catalonian culture. Experienced hikers, accompanied by a mountain guide, can brave several trails that lead to its summit at an altitude of 9,000 feet. For others, there are numerous paths that wind more gently through the valley, offering magnificent views of the entire massif.

During the summer of 1905, painters Henri Matisse and André Derain paced the streets of Collioure together. In less than three months, Matisse painted more than 15 canvases, 40 watercolors and sketched around 100 drawings; while Derain created some 30 paintings, 20 drawings and around 50 sketches. It was here that the two artists conceived the Fauvism art movement, where large, vibrant spans of color express emotion rather than reality. Tours allow visitors to follow in the footsteps of these two legends, encountering reproductions of their major works en route.

Locals call it ‘the Canary.' For over a century, the Yellow Train has crossed the Pyrenees, passing through the Catalan Pyrenees Regional Natural Park and the majestic Canigou mountain range. From Villefranche-de-Conflent to Latour-de-Carol, the journey covers 39 miles and climbs over 3,250 feet at an average speed of 18 miles per hour. This astonishing panoramic journey, enjoyed in open-air carriages, leads through the highest ski resort in France (at 5,200 feet above sea level) and encounters some 650 engineering structures, including 19 tunnels and 40 bridges.