The Pyrénées-Orientales department is the southernmost department in Mainland France. It is located on the Mediterranean coast and borders Spain. The department lies in the old Languedoc region in the South of France. The Pyrénées-Orientales department is a beautiful area of France, with stunning mountain ranges, a golden coastal area and in between, many vineyards. The region is home to just under 500,000 people and the population has grown steadily since the 1960's, as it welcomes many people from Northern Europe who buy holiday homes and retire in this sunny part of France.
The regional capital, Perpignan, is a fascinating town with a real Catalan spirit. The Spanish border to the south of Pyrénées-Orientales, has influenced the culture, language, cuisine and at times the allegiance of this southern-most department in France. Catalan is the official second language of the department and spoken by nearly 30% of the population.
History of the Pyrénées-Orientales department
Prior to the Treaty of the Pyrenees in 1659, most of the present-day department of Pyrénées-Orientales, was part of the former Principality of Catalonia, within the Kingdom of Spain. So the majority of the department has historically been Catalan-speaking. Today you can still hear a mixture of French, Catalan and Occitan spoken in the region.
The modern department of Pyrenees-Orientales was created during the French Revolution under the name of Roussillon. The department was invaded by Spain in April 1793, but recaptured thirteen months later during the War of the Roussillon. The name of the department was then changed to Pyrénées-Orientales, reflecting the dominance of the Pyrenees mountains and east-facing Mediterranean coastline.
Following the end of the Spanish Civil War, the Pyrenees-Orientales department welcomed many refugees from Spain, with many initially settling around Argeles-sur-Mer and the refugee camp at Rivesaltes (close to the current Perpignan airport).
Geography of Pyrenees-Orientales department
The Pyrénées-Orientales department covers 4,116 km2 (1,589 square miles) and consists of three river valleys: Agly, Têt and Tech – all of which descend from the Pyrenees Mountains to the eastern Plains of Roussillon.
The Pyrenees-Orientales has over 60 km of coastline along the Mediterranean sea. The main part of the coastline, down from Perpignan to the Spanish border is known as the Côte Vermeille (Vermillion Coast) and offers a blend of long sandy beaches, rocky coves and old fishing towns. The main towns resorts along the coast include:
Saint-Cyprien: which has one of the largest marinas in France and is a prominent water sports centre. The town also has a 27 hole golf course
Argeles-sur-Mer: a popular beach resort which welcomes over 300,000 visitors each year. The town has 3 beaches which stretch for over 7km.
Collioure: a beautiful coastal town inhabited by many famous painters such as Picasso, Matisse, Derain, Charles Rennie-McIntosh and Raoul Dufy.
Banyuls-sur-Mer: which has sheltered cove with clear waters (popular with scuba divers). The town is famous for its sweet Banyuls wine, grown on vineyards on the surrounding hills and cliffs.
Port-Vendres: is located right on the Spanish border and features one of the World's first Marine Nature reserve. It is a prime destination for scuba diving, snorkeling, and kayaking.
Inland, the Pyrenees-Orientales department is dominated by the Corbières hills and the foothills of the Pyrenees. The highest points in the department are Pic Carlit which stands at 2,921 metres and Puigpedrós at 2,915 metres. But the most famous landmark in the Pyrenees is Pic Canigou (2,784 m) which offers panoramic views across the department and into Catalonia. The snow capped mountain is clearly visible throughout the department and has a special resonance with Catalan people. There is an annual procession up to the peak to light a ceremonial bonfire (to signify the unification of the Catalan people on both sides of the border.
Pyrenees-Orientales features a number of important Ski resorts, including Font-Romeu, Les Anges, Cambre d’Aze and Formiguères.
French Pyrenees holidays
Collioure, Pyrenees-Orientales
The capital of the Pyrénées-Orientales department is Perpignan, a city which has a clear Catalan heritage. It has a population of 120,000 people and boats a TGV train station and a local airport. Its Spanish influence predominantly comes from the thousands of refugees that fled Catalonia at the end of the Spanish Civil War. The writer, George Orwell, set off from Perpignan to join the republican forces fighting General Franco in 1936. His journey is doculented in his book, Homage to catalonia.
Perpignan also has a long association with Catalonia and Spain. It was part of the Catalan-Aragonese Crown, before it was brought under French control in 1659. The most important building in Perpignan is the Palais des Rois. The Kings of Mallorca made Perpignan their mainland capital and brought with it prosperity from cloth-making.
Other important towns in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, include:
- Banyuls-sur-Mer: famous for its Banyuls wine and the birthplace of sculptor Aristide Maillol.
- Céret: considered to be one of the birthplaces of cubism, an art form that is displayed very effectively at Musée d'Art Moderne in the town.
- Prades: site of the Catalan Summer University.
- Prats de Mollo and Salses: both of which contain impressive castles.
Accommodation Pyrenees-Orientales
Go Languedoc has some wonderful Pyrennes villas and gites for rent. Here is a selection of our most popular holiday accommodation in Pyrenees-Orientales:
1. Casa Baléares - 5 bed coastal holiday villa private pool South France (Ref: 2029)
Casa Baléares is a lovely 5 bedroom villa with private pool in Southern France that can sleep 12 people. The villa is set in the foothills of the Pyrenees, just 15 minutes drive to the Mediterranean coast and the beaches at Argeles-sur-Mer, Saint Cyprien and Collioure. A short walk takes you into the centre of the sought-after village of Laroque des Alberes, with all the shops and restaurants that you will need. Perpignan is just 20kms to the North and the Spanish border is just 15 mins away.
The villa is located in a quiet residential on a large plot of 2,800m2 plot. This holiday rental villa comes with 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, a well-equipped kitchen, spacious lounge, games room and lovely views. This large holiday rental villa in Laroque-des-Alberes is the perfect accommodation for a large family or a couple of families holidaying together.
Laroque is a great village to be based in, providing easy access to the Mediterranean beaches and the sites of the Languedoc and Northern Spain. The village comes with a popular bar and a couple of restaurants. A great location for a family holiday in Southern France.
Available for weekly rentals in July and August from €3500.
2. Villa Vell-Roure, South of France holiday home, sleeps 10 (Ref: 225)
Villa Vell-Roure is a spacious 5 bedroom holiday villa in South of France. The villa is located on the edge of the small village of Villelongue-dels-Monts, in the foothills of the Pyrenees, just 15 km from the Mediterranean coast.
The villa enjoys splendid views over the nearby village and on towards the Mediterranean coastline in the distance. The villa features 5 double bedrooms, all of which come with their own bathroom and air conditioning. The villa sleeps 10 guests in comfort and comes with a large private pool (with a security fence). The villa is located up a private lane in a quiet residential area. The villa is situated on a substantial plot and there is ample parking for a number of vehicles.
This South of France holiday villa is the perfect retreat for a large family group or crowd of friends looking for a very special property in a rural location.
3. Argeles sur Mer villa for South of France beach holidays, pool (Ref: 1327)
If you are looking for a nice villa for South of France beach holidays with the family, then this property in Argeles-sur-Mer is ideal. This villa comes with a private pool and is situated close to the beach in Argeles sur Mer.
The house has been updated to a very high standard and provides very comfortable accommodation. There are 3 double bedrooms, a spacious living room, WiFi and lovely views over the town and to the hills behind. The house benefits from modern appliances and refurbished bathrooms. This villa is perfect for South of France beach holidays with the family. The villa has a garden and provides comfortable accommodation for up to 6 people.
Argeles-sur-mer has 7km of beach, a marina and a host of restaurants and shops. Perpignan is 20kms to the North and the Spanish border is 25 kms to the South.
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Where to next . . . ?
I hope that this article has provided you with some useful information about this beautiful region of Southern France. We live in the South of France all year around and we absolutely love being here. We are always out and about visiting new villa rental properties and researching tourism articles about the South of France. We have a great collection of articles with more ideas about things to do and places to visit in Pyrenees-Orientals, including:
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Read all about the beautiful Pyrenees-Orientales department in Southern France. This area of the eastern Pyrenees is a popular holiday destination in France and perfect for a family vacation in 2026.
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Perpignan has a distinct Catalan atmosphere. Our Perpignan tourism guide helps shed some light on the best things to do and see in Perpignan if you are visiting the South of France during 2026.
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Musee Rigaud art museum in Perpignan hosts a artworks from a variety of Artists with a strong connection to Perpignan, from Picasso, to Dali, to Raoul Dufy, Maillol and Jean Cocteau.
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Check out the latest schedule of cheap flights to Perpignan airport in South France. We have compiled a handy guide of the 10 airports across Europe that fly to Perpignan and which days they fly in 2026
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Discover the 8 best beaches near Perpignan to visit in 2026. These beaches vary from small fishing coves to wide open golden sandy beaches.
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Discover our range of holiday villas and gites in the Perpignan area of Southern France. With beautiful Mediterranean beaches and views of the Pyrenees, Perpignan is a great holiday destination in France.
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Contact us by Email if you have any particular questions you would like to ask about visiting the South of France. If you liked the article then please share it with others using the Instagram and Facebook buttons. I wish you a wonderful stay in the South of France.
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