Caves, Castles and Catalan Culture

This amazing “throwback to the past” Experience begins in Perpignan, a town nestled in the foothills of the Pyrenees with strong co-existing French and Spanish cultural influences. Our Local will meet you by the red-brick old town gate of Le Castillet. This will be a perfect start since the wall that once encircled the town was designed by Vauban, one of the foremost architects of his day.

After a brief tour of the area, hop in the car and drive with our Local toward Villefranche de Conflent, an 11th-century village located at the foot of the Canigou, the famous Catalan summit. You will be enchanted by this small, charming village and its castle (the construction and structure of which were fortified in 1707 by Vauban himself), and are now part of the UNESCO world list. Our Local as an expert in the area will guide you through the narrow streets and plazas of the village and take you to antiques shops on your way to visit the castle. Around lunchtime, he will find the perfect restaurant to enjoy tapas, local products, and wine, and you will hear his story of growing up in the area (food and beverages on your own).

After lunch, you’ll make a final stop at the Grandes Canalettes caves, some of the most beautiful in France, just discovered in 1951. Here you will be able to admire the incredible natural stalagmite and stalactite formations, a last highlight to a truly unforgettable day.