OFF THE SLOPES IN THE PYRENEES

In addition to a wide variety of skiing in this part of The Pyrenees, it is a tourist destination in its own right with many attractions. This means that there is a lot for you to do off the slopes if you are feeling tired or have non skiers with you.

These are just a selection of them.

Mont-Louis

From Les Angles and Font Romeu ski resorts the village of Mont-Louis is a short drive away. The fortification was ordered by King Louis XIV and was engineered by the highly acclaimed military engineer Sebastien Le Prestre de Vauban.

Mont-Louis was created in 1679 and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as one of the twelve strategic fortifications of Vauban built in the same period. Mont Louis' highest fortifications are still used as a French Army base but the surrounding village is free for visitors to explore. Entrance to the village is still via a drawbridge at the Porte de France.

We visited in the snow and it is so picturesque watch our short video here.

Solar Furnaces

At Mont Louis the world's first double reflection solar furnace was created in 1949 and can still be visited today. The solar furnace consists of an immense mirror which concentrates sun light to a temperature up to 3000 degrees Celsius.

The solar furnace is historically important as the first one to be used for industrial and craft production. It was here the whistle of the famous Little Yellow Train - Train Jaune - was made.

A much larger solar furnace is located at Odeillo, part of the Font Ramou commune. which is a popular tourist attraction.

The Little Yellow Train - Train Jaune

The Little Yellow Train is one of the world's great railway journeys. Opened in 1909 it is an historic metre gauge electric railway and is still going strong.

There are stops close to both Font Ramou and Mont Louis.

The line rises through dramatic scenery from its starting point at Villefranche de Conflent - a stunning example of Vauban fortifications - to Bourg Madame a few hundred metres from the Spanish border. From here it is easy to walk to the old Spanish town of Puigcerda.

It runs for nealy 40 miles and stops at the highest railway station in France.

Find out more here.

Thermal Baths

There are several thermal baths in The Pyrenees

- Bains des Llo - near Font Romeu

- Bains de St Thomas  - 30 minute drive from Les Angles

- Bains De Cooulobret – central Ax Les Thermes.

Animal Park

Near Les Angles, popular tourist destination.

We didn’t visit as the weather was too bad but you can find out more here.

Dog Sledding

See our separate report on this by clicking here.