Pyrenees Guide

The Capcir has many enchanting natural treasures. At between 1500 metres and 1784 metres at the Col de La Quillane, separating the Ariege from the Pyrenees Orientales, this high plateau is orientated North-South. Formigueres, once the summer residence of the Kings of the Realm of Majorca, is the capital of the Capcir, though today it rivals with the winter sports resorts of Angles, Puyvalador and Matemale.

The Capcir, is very sunny all year round; it is an enviably verdant environment thanks to its forests, and there are also several lakes. Along the many hiking paths, near the higher mountain summits, it is not unusual to find herds of izards or mouflons, or to hear the strident whistle of a marmot keeping a lookout out for his warren.

In late summer and autumn the forest air is filled with resinous perfume. It is a time for walkers who are fond of gathering mushrooms such as ceps, chanterelles, saffron milk cap, or wild berries including raspberries, strawberries, bilberries and blueberries.

Two sites are a must : The Galbe Valley and the Camporells lakes. Both are so beautiful that they would take your breath away if the air in the Capcir was not so pure! To describe them would spoil the pleasure of discovering them for yourselves. These two natural jewels are easily reached from Les Angles, or Formiguères (Les Camporells) via the hamlet of Espousouille (in the Galbe Valley). Nearby, you will find the village of Fontrabiouse and its famous grotto, which was discovered in 1958 when work was being carried out in an alabaster quarry.

For your taste buds : the Capcir charcuterie is one of the tastiest, the Matemale potato, the ‘Rate’ , is the best in the world. And we all know pure air and the pleasures of nature increase the appetite.

Les Angles - This old mountain village has retained all of the charm with its old houses. Visit the 12th century castle doors and the Tomanesque church with its rich reredos. The new part offers the dynamism of shops and tradesmen selling local products. Les Angles is also the area’s largest and most ...

Les Angles Animal Park - A moment of pleasure for adults and children alike, when they discover the fauna of the Pyrenees in a park laid out in a natural configuration. To visit Les Angles Animal Park, a unique site in the Pyrenees is, in many ways, to live an intense and enriching adventure in the Pyrenees. Following the ...

Formigueres - In the heart of Catalan Pyrenees, in Capcir, near Spain and near the Mediterranean Sea, Formigueres's station benefits from a situation privileged for leisure activities and holidays winter as summer. Authentic village of mountain at the houses of stones and llauses, Formigueres shows even today ...

Balcere Lake - At the heart of a forest of gigantic pine trees, the superb site of the Balcere lake appears. A tourist circuit, with picnic areas, enables you to discover an extraordinary flora. Controlled fishing ...

Matemale Lake - At the heart of the Capcir, the resort specialises in cross-country skiing in winter and hiking in summer. The old village dominates a lake with the same name, offering various sports as well as swimming. Visit the art and craft house (pottery, ...

Fontrabiouse - In the Fontrabiouse cavern you will discover 4 metres of subterranean corridors of rock and chalk, 80 metres deep. Mother nature shows off her beauty which is thousands of years old: drapes, columns, ...