Description: Dating back to the 10th Century and one of the group of villages classed as “Les Plus Beaux Villages de France” Castelnou has a dramatic setting above the Perpignan plain.

Location: From Jcn 42 of the A9 outside Perpignan take the D612 towards Thuir and then the D615 in the direction of Ille-sur-Tet.  About 1km after passing through the outskirts of Thuir the D48 turns off to the left to Castelnou.

General Info: Town website.  Free parking.

Our recommendations:  After a short browse around the cobbled streets let the kids have a drink or an ice cream at one of the pleasant cafés (otherwise there is not so much for them here).  Best to visit here during the day…the town goes to sleep in the evenings!

For the children:  There are donkey rides available at El Burriquito, which is located just below the village (follow the signposts from the lower car park).  Tel: 06 10 40 23 02.

 

Here’s more information to make the most of your visit to Languedoc: