Pyrénées-Orientales: Fasthôtel welcomes you
Fasthôtel hotels welcome you to Pyrénées-Orientales, the southernmost department of mainland France. For business trips, weekends, and holidays, enjoy the quality of our affordable hotels in department 66!
Our hotels in the Pyrénées-Orientales : Fasthôtel Prats-de-Mollo , ideally located at the gateway to Spain and Catalonia, in the Vallespir.
Pyrénées-Orientales: economy, agriculture and tourism
The Pyrénées-Orientales department covers 4,116 km² and has nearly 480,000 inhabitants. It benefits from a strategic location on the Spanish border, between the Mediterranean Sea and the Pyrenees mountain range.
The economy of Pyrénées-Orientales rests on several pillars:
Mediterranean agriculture : fruits and vegetables (apricots, peaches, cherries from Vallespir), viticulture with prestigious appellations and productions under quality label.
Tourism : the leading economic sector in the department with over 4 million visitors per year. The diverse landscapes, encompassing sea, mountains, and Catalan heritage, attract a wide range of visitors throughout the year.
Viticulture : the Pyrénées-Orientales constitute the first vineyard of Languedoc-Roussillon with renowned AOCs: Côtes du Roussillon, Collioure, Banyuls, Rivesaltes and the naturally sweet wines which make the Catalan terroir famous.
Renewable energies : the department is actively developing solar photovoltaics, taking advantage of exceptional sunshine of more than 300 days a year.
Pyrénées-Orientales: between the Mediterranean Sea and the Pyrenees
The Côte Vermeille : from Argelès-sur-Mer to Cerbère, this rocky coast offers spectacular scenery with its coves, fishing villages (Collioure, Port-Vendres, Banyuls-sur-Mer) and crystal-clear waters.
The sandy coastline : from Canet-en-Roussillon to Saint-Cyprien, the fine sandy beaches stretch for kilometers, ideal for families.
The mountains : the department has several mountain ranges including the Canigou (2,784 m), sacred mountain of the Catalans, the Madres, the Conflent and the Cerdagne, a natural region shared with Spain.
The preserved natural areas : the Massane forest nature reserve, the Fou gorges, the Ille-sur-Têt organs testify to the ecological and geological richness of the department.
Skiing and winter sports in the Pyrénées-Orientales
The Pyrénées-Orientales region offers several renowned ski areas:
Font-Romeu - Pyrénées 2000 : largest ski resort in the Pyrénées-Orientales, national training center recognized for its high-level sports infrastructure.
Les Angles : a family resort offering exceptional views of Cerdagne and Capcir.
Porté-Puymorens and Puigmal : authentic resorts in the heart of the Catalan Pyrenees.
In summer, these mountain ranges transform into a paradise for hikers with hundreds of kilometers of marked trails, mountain huts and preserved high-altitude lakes.
Catalan heritage and historical sites
Perpignan : historical capital of the Kingdom of Majorca in the 13th century, the prefecture of the Pyrénées-Orientales preserves a remarkable architectural heritage with the Palace of the Kings of Majorca, the Saint-Jean-Baptiste cathedral and the Castillet, symbol of the city.
The Vauban fortifications : Villefranche-de-Conflent and Mont-Louis, two sites listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites, bear witness to the military genius of Vauban who fortified the Franco-Spanish border after the Treaty of the Pyrenees in 1659.
The abbey of Saint-Michel-de-Cuxa : jewel of pre-Romanesque Romanesque art from the 10th century, located in Codalet in Conflent.
The Little Yellow Train : a tourist railway line linking Villefranche-de-Conflent to Latour-de-Carol, through spectacular Pyrenean landscapes. An unforgettable journey at an altitude of over 1,500 meters.
Villages of character : Prats-de-Mollo-la-Preste, fortified town in the heart of the Vallespir, Castelnou classified among the most beautiful villages in France, Eus perched on its rocky outcrop facing the Canigou.
Thermal spas in the Pyrénées-Orientales
The department has several renowned thermal spa resorts:
Amélie-les-Bains-Palalda : the oldest thermal spa in the department, already frequented by the Romans, specializing in the treatment of rheumatism.
Vernet-les-Bains : Belle Époque resort nestled at the foot of the Canigou, known for its beneficial waters since the Middle Ages.
Prats-de-Mollo-La-Preste : high-altitude spa resort at 1,130 meters, renowned for its sulphurous waters.
Molitg-les-Bains : a modern thermal spa offering thermal cures and wellness treatments in a preserved natural setting.
Catalan culture and traditions
The Pyrénées-Orientales region is deeply imbued with Catalan culture. This identity is manifested through:
The Catalan language : still spoken by part of the population, taught in schools and present in bilingual signage.
Traditional festivals : Sant Joan (Saint John) celebrated on June 24 with fires and dances, sardanas danced in village squares, castellers (human towers).
Catalan gastronomy : Collioure anchovies, rousquilles (local pastries), cargolade (grilled snails), brandade de morue, boles de Picolat (meatballs from Vallespir).
Crafts : Millas espadrilles, Catalan pottery, Catalan fabrics with colorful patterns.
Vineyards and wines of the Pyrénées-Orientales
The department is an exceptional wine-growing region with a mosaic of appellations:
Naturally sweet wines : Banyuls and Banyuls Grand Cru (sweet red wines), Maury, Rivesaltes red, white or amber, Muscat de Rivesaltes. These fortified wines have earned the Pyrénées-Orientales region its international reputation.
Dry wines : AOC Côtes du Roussillon and Côtes du Roussillon Villages, Collioure (red, white, rosé), IGP Côtes Catalanes.
Terraced vineyards sculpt the landscapes of the Albères and Vallespir regions, while the black schist soils of Banyuls and Collioure give the wines their unique character. The Pyrénées-Orientales wine route offers the opportunity to discover cooperative wineries and family-run vineyards.
Le Vallespir and Prats-de-Mollo-la-Preste
The Vallespir, the Tech valley, is a natural region in the Pyrénées-Orientales department that stretches from Céret to the border ridges with Spain. This high Pyrenean valley retains an authentic and wild character.
Prats-de-Mollo-la-Preste : a listed medieval fortified town, dominated by Fort Lagarde, built by Vauban. This charming town in the heart of the Vallespir valley is an ideal gateway to exploring the Catalan Pyrenees. The thermal spa of La Preste, located 8 km upstream, further enhances the town's appeal to tourists.
Vallespir offers many opportunities for hiking, heritage and gastronomic discoveries, with local specialties such as boles de Picolat and Vallespir cow's cheese.
