Things to see and do

Mountain walking

For many visitors, the main attraction of Vernet les Bains is the huge variety of mountain walking, from easy strolls to challenging mountaineering.  The Tourist Office on the Square can provide you with suggested routes, and there are also detailed maps in the house for you to plan your walks. For the relatively fit, the aim will be to climb the stunning Canigou (alt. 2785m), the mystical mountain of the Catalans.  You can get a jeep most of the way, but the very fit can try the 8 hour+ return trip directly from Vernet.  

Other great walks include conquering the Pena or the Bousquet, the two mountains opposite our house; following ancient footsteps up to the  Tour de Goa, a medieval watchtower; eschewing the car/bus and walking to the fortress town of Villefranche; and following the river along a shady path to the spectacular Gorges du Cady.  There are countless others.  I have been coming to Vernet nearly every year for my whole life, and still haven't exhausted the possibilities.

 

Other activities

Vernet's outdoor swimming pool (Summer only) must surely be the public swimming pool with some of the best views in Europe. for the slightly more adventurous, there are plenty of places to paddle, swim, jump and even dive in the many streams and rivers around Vernet.  A favourite is the Cascade des Anglais waterfalls - at the end of a lovely walk - along with spots near Sahorre and Casteil.

Bathing in the nearby natural outdoor hot baths, notably at St Thomas Les Bains, is an amazing experience, especially in Winter, and again can be combined with a great walk.

Canyonning, white water rafting and other adventure sports have recently taken off in the area.  There are also tennis courts that can be hired in Vernet itself, and the indoor swimming pool plus Hammam open up when the outdoor pool closes in the Autumn.

Vernet is a spa town, and has a large spa centre (ages 12+) with hot baths, jacuzzis, sauna, hydrotherapy etc...

Less than an hour away is the sandy Mediterranean coast, with all the usual beach-related activities, along with a couple of Aqualand water parks.  Skiing is also a great option in winter, with a variety of resorts a short drive (or train ride) away further up the mountains.

Visiting the Parc Animalier (wildlife park) in nearby Casteil is a challenging mountain walk in itself!

Cultural and historical sites

The Grandes Canalettes Grottos, on the way down to Villefranche, are surprisingly impressive, and a welcome way to spend a very hot afternoon, as it is cool (14 degrees) underground (always bring a fleece).

The St Martin Abbey, which can be seen from our house and still houses a religious community, is an easy walk away, while the UNESCO-recognised fortress town of Villefranche-de-Conflent is a must, along with Fort Liberia that towers above it. 

Further afield, St Michael de Cuxa and Serrabonne are among the many beautiful sites, with the Palais de Rois de Majorque (in Perpignan) and the historic town of Collioure also highly rated.

On a more modern note, the Four Solaire near Font Romeu, the largest solar installation in Europe, is very impressive.

The Little Yellow Train

One of the region's celebrities is the Little Yellow Train (Petit Train Jaune).  You can catch it up to Fontpedrouse/St Thomas (for the hot baths), Font Romeu (for the Four Solaire) or beyond, up to the highest railway station in France, or even into Spain. Even if you have no particular destination in mind, it is worth taking a ride just for the experience and the views!  Please bear in mind, however, that it gets very busy, and it's not possible to book in advance.  So arrive 45 minutes or so before the departure time, and enjoy a coffee on the platform after buying your ticket.  Don't worry about getting a seat in the open top carriage.  It's just as much fun (and less hot/vulnerable to rain) inside. And bear in mind there are no toilets!

 

 For more information on Vernet and the region, visit www.vernet-les-bains.fr