Situated in the heart of the Pyrenees on the border between France and Spain, the ancient region of Cerdagne has actually been split between the two countries. South of the border, the area is known as Cerdanya, and most locals speak both French and Spanish. Dominated by the mountains, home only to small towns and villages, most tourists come to Cerdagne for hiking in the summer and skiing in the winter. The natural scenery is undoubtedly the main attraction here, though many of the hilltop hamlets have their own charms and interesting histories, having changed hands between France and Spain several times over the centuries.
Although the area is mountainous, with several of its peaks over 2,000 metres high, there are also plenty of river valleys, mountain lakes and gentle lower slopes which provide huge areas for easy hiking and cycling, rather than mountain climbing. Local tourist offices will be able to provide maps of the trails in the Cerdgane, and make sure you take your swimming costume to take advantage of the clear Pyrenean lakes that are common in this part of the mountains. Another popular way to see the countryside is on horseback, and there are several equestrian centres throughout the region which organise their own day trips, making sure you see the best of the scenery. Thrill seekers will want to head to the valley if Porte-Puymorens, where a new park offering aerial zip lines over the lake has recently opened. A fantastic way to enjoy the scenery provided you can keep your eyes open! In the winter months the scenery changes dramatically, and many of the sleepy villages become lively and bustling ski resorts. Although not as popular as the Alpine runs, skiing in the Pyrenees is still quite challenging, and a lot cheaper than the alternative.
If you prefer to sit back and relax while on holiday, then the Yellow Train is the ideal solution to ensure that you don't miss out on the fantastic Cerdagne scenery. A 60-kilometre single-gauge railway line, running from Villefranche-de-Conflent to Latour-de-Carol, through some of the of most spectacular parts of the region, the Yellow Train is just a regular local service that has become extremely popular with tourists. You can choose from an open or closed carriage, depending on the weather, as you make your way up to a height of 1,500 metres through tunnels and across bridges, including one suspension bridge.
Looking for self catering holiday accommodation in Cerdagne? Then below is a selection of gites in Cerdagne and villas in Cerdagne that can be rented direct from their owners. You can either click on each listing for further details or you can use our search engine on the left if you are looking for something in particular.
