Top 10 things to do in Font Romeu

Top 10 things to do in Font Romeu

1- Skiing

A pioneer in winter sports resorts , Font Romeu, associated with Pyrénées 2000, is a resort of choice. The vast spaces of the ski area allow you to enjoy skiing in many forms… Font-Romeu Pyrénées 2000, the sunniest resort in the Pyrenees, offers 560 meters of vertical drop over 43 kilometers of slopes suitable for all levels. Font Romeu also has three toboggan areas, a snowpark with a live park and the largest big air bag in the Pyrenees. Not to mention the three competition areas, one of which is floodlit, and the 111 kilometers of Nordic skiing.

2- Hiking or snowshoeing

In summer, take the many marked trails through mountains, forests, lakes, and varied and splendid landscapes. Reach the Pic Carlit, the Cambre d'Aze, the Carança Gorges, or even the Airelles. In winter, with a marked network of 11 trails, you can go snowshoeing independently. Guides offer half-day or full-day outings, night hikes with meals in a mountain hut, "trapper" or "Scandinavian bivouac" options, nights in an igloo, or even a dive in hot springs.

3- Skijoring

For a different kind of experience, try skijoring , or skiing pulled by a horse or pony. At the Font-Romeu ski area, at the La Calme site, let yourself be pulled along a one-kilometer loop. You'll learn how to guide the animal, discover the sensation of speed, and do slalom... From 8 years old and Flocon level. For younger children, there's pony sledding to set off with a companion on a groomed loop for a short stroll in the forest.

Prices:

• Pony sled: 8 euros

4- Biathlon in the footsteps of Martin Fourcade

Five-time Olympic champion, thirteen-time world champion, Martin Fourcade began biathlon in Font Romeu. Follow in his footsteps by learning this sport, which combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting. In winter, you can choose between classic cross-country skiing or skating. In summer, skiing is replaced by an orienteering game. But in all cases, the laser rifle awaits you. You'll use international competition equipment with optical sights, individualized computer timing, and precision shooting with instant results on an LCD screen or on the shooting range.

Price:

• 35 euros per person (+ 8 years)

5- Ice diving

Discover the depths of frozen lakes and enjoy an unforgettable experience. Dive beneath the ice with professional guides to discover extreme and unique sensations. In whitewater at 2 degrees Celsius, you'll experience magical moments surrounded by bubbles and light. The session lasts two hours, including 50 minutes for diving and equipment. Regardless of your level, you'll be supervised by an underwater instructor to whom you're attached, while another instructor remains on the surface to provide a lifeline. If you're already a diver, learn to push yourself to the limit in complete safety. At the end of your activity, a snack and a hot drink await you. This activity is available for ages 16 and up with parental consent.

Price:

• 135 euros per person

6- Discover the solar oven

The immense Odeillo solar furnace was created in 1968. It is equipped with 9,130 mirrors, emits one megawatt, and its temperature exceeds 3,400°C. It is the second largest solar furnace in the world, standing at 54 meters high. A film and an exhibition provide an understanding of its operation and that of solar energy. This site was chosen for the duration and quality of its direct sunlight, as well as for the purity of its atmosphere.

7- Snowtubing

Snowtubing is a variation of sledding. You hurtle down the slopes on a giant tube that can reach speeds of over 40 km/h. At that speed, you're likely to turn into a top! The sledding & snowtubing area is equipped with a ski carpet that allows for effortless ascents for a series of descents. The slopes are designed for your safety and enjoyment. It's a must-do activity for families or friends, for anyone who loves sliding and having fun. Snowtubing is suitable for ages 3 and up.

Price:

• For 10 descents: 10 euros

8- Hot air balloon flight

Discover the Pyrenees from the sky with a hot air balloon flight. Let the wind guide you over the Cerdan plateau. Meetings take place early in the morning, at 7 a.m., from the lower Cerdagne. This is the opportunity to witness the unfolding and inflation of the balloon and, from 8 a.m., you take off for a one to one and a half hour flight. You can even participate in the piloting maneuvers in the basket while flying at an altitude of between 2,000 and 3,000 meters.

9- The Hermitage of Font-Romeu

This famous Pyrenean pilgrimage site is located on the route to Santiago de Compostela. The Notre-Dame hermitage was built on the site of a fountain that is said to have been the source of a miracle. The 17th and 18th century chapel houses a magnificent Baroque altarpiece. Every year on September 8, a procession transports the statue of the Virgin to the church of Odeillo where it spends the winter before returning to its hermitage for the feast of the Trinity. Southeast of the hermitage is the Col du Calvaire, the starting point for reaching the summit of the hill and enjoying a breathtaking view of the Cerdanya and the surrounding peaks.

10- Climb aboard the Yellow Train

Departing from Font Romeu, the Yellow Train takes you on a sightseeing tour between Villefranche-de-Conflent and Latour-de-Carol at an average speed of 30 km/h. All year round, the Yellow Train travels through the mountain landscapes on the highest electrified line in Europe, spanning 63 km and serving 21 stations. On board the "Canary", it takes three hours for the outward journey and the same for the return journey. It's an original and gentle way to discover the Pyrénées-Orientales, with a passage culminating at 1,593 meters above sea level, in Bolquère, the highest station in France, but also unique panoramas from the Viaduc Séjourné or the last suspension railway bridge in France, the Pont Gisclard.

Single rate:

• 5 euros