Camping Mas de Lastourg

Speed along to the local town of Villefranche-de-Conflent first to catch the Little Yellow Train, running since 1909 on its route through the Pyrenees. The line puffs from Villefranche up the sides of the Têt valley among spectacular mountain scenery and old villages, to end up at Latour de Carol near the Spanish town of Puigcerda. (You can get off a few kilometres earlier at the frontier town of Bourg Madame, a few hundred metres from the Spanish border and within walking distance of Puigcerda.) After all this excitement, make your way underground back at base, at the vast caverns, lakes and canals of Les Grottes de Canalettes. Or snap a pic of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Fort Libéria in Villefranche, built for Louis XIV and at one point used as a prison for his poisoners. Other excellent options in the region are the Casteil safari and animal park (seven kilometres), Saint Martin du Canigou Abbey (10 kilometres), and horse and pony riding trips from Matemale (20 kilometres). Canyoning, rafting and tubing can be arranged from Marquixanes, 20 kilometres away.