Mount Canigou, France

Idea About: place

Country: France
The "Organs&Quot; of Ille sur Tet and Canigou in the twilight

The "Organs&Quot; of Ille sur Tet and Canigou in the twilight
selkovjrCC Attribution 2.0 License

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Idea Description

General Information

Country: France (11)
Location Info:  City: Prades  Province/State: Mount Canigou
Idea About: place (99)
Type of Travel: outdoor and adventure (46)
Features: hiking (31) | mountain (29) | mystery (28)
Region: Western Europe (47)

Description

Mount Canigou, 9,134 feet (2784m) high, is located about 6 miles (10km) south of town Prades (France). You can get to Prades by train or bus on the Perpignan–Villefranche–La Tour-de-Carol route. Prades is a starting point for all excursions in the Canigou region. Prades (Catalan: Prada de Conflent) is a commune and a sub-prefecture of the Pyrénées-Orientales department in southern France. It is the capital of the historical Conflent comarca (a local administrative division). Its inhabitants are called Pradéens.

For the locals, Canigou is more than just a mountain - it is also considered to be the spiritual home of Catalan people, and Catalans from across both the French and Spanish Catalonia regions gather here for the summer solstice. The Mount of Canigou (Catalan : Pico del Canigó) is the highest peak east of the chain of the Pyrenees. From its summit you can see a breathtaking panorama of the plain of Roussillon , allowing in a clear day, to see Barcelona. Same way, Mount Canigou is visible from many places in the southern Languedoc-Roussillon.

There are two ancient monasteries on the mountain slopes, Sain-Martin-du-Canigou and Saint-Michel-de-Cuxa. L'abbaye Saint Martin du Canigou built high on a cliff-top in the wilderness of the Pyrenees in the 11th century by Guilfred, Comte of Cerdagne. This beautiful abbey is accessible only on foot, but worth the effort. The views are spectacular. Damaged by an earthquake in 1428, it was restored in 1433 and kept functioning until 18th century when it was abandoned. After monks left the abbey, it was looted and ravaged. In 1902 the bishop of Perpignan launched an appeal for its restoration. Since 1988 a monastic community opened its doors to faithful and tourists.

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What Makes It Special

The answer is: beautiful landscapes, breathtaking views and two ancient monasteries on the mountain slopes, Sain- Martin-du-Canigou and Saint-Michel-de-Cuxa. Also, the Festa de Sant Joan, also known as the Night of Fire is a celebration that takes place on the Mount Canigou and beyond, during the night between the 23rd and 24th of June, one of the shortest nights of the year due to the summer solstice. Thousands of Catalan and not Catalan people from France and Spain celebrate the night around a bonfire. During that night you can see smaller bonfires in the numerous villages all over the region. Though the Festa de Sant Joan devoted to a Christian saint it has all attributes of Pagan customs still broadly exercised in Catalonia.

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Useful Visitor Information and Tips

How to get there: The ancient town of Prades is about 25 miles (40 km) from Perpignan Airport in the town of Perpignan in the Roussillon area of Southern France. You can use train or bus to get there. This quiet French town has bus and train services, but a car is the best way to get to know the area. The area is famous for a lot of sunny days both in summer and winter. It is possible to eat outdoors during most months of the year.The mountain is about 6 miles (10km) approximately 40 minutes drive by car. It is cooler up there in the mountains, and you can find ski slopes covered with snow from December to Easter. There are supermarkets and shops within walking distance in the town. Prades is surrounded by vineyards where a famous Roussillon wines were produced for centuries.

Hiking in the area does not require any particular training, anyone in good health, comfortable boots and supply of water can do it. For those who like challenges, there is an annual race, 20,5 miles (33km) long, that passes across Canigou. To approach the mountain, start from either Prades or Vernet-les-Bains. The ascent on foot starts from Chalet des Cortalets. Spectacular jeep tracks on the north side of the massif lead to the Chalet de Cortalets at the altitude of 7,053 feet (2150 m.) which is a popular starting point for walkers. The best time to visit is summer, the last decade of June, when you can enjoy the Festa de Sant Joan. You can find accommodations in the center of Prades or at the foot of the mountain - Le Mas Fleuri Hotel is located in Vernet-les-Bains at the foot of the Mount Canigou. It is three-star hotel from $75. The Princess Hotel is located at an altitude of 650 m, at the bottom of the Canigou mountain - prices from $70.

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Additional Information

Tags: Festa de Sant Joan; Languedoc-Roussillon (2); Mount Canigou; Night of Fire; Perpignan; Perpignan Airport; Prades; Pyrenees (3); Roussillon; Southern France (2); St.-Martin-du-Canigou; St.-Michel-de-Cuxa.

Web Sites:   Office de tourisme Prades

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