Castelnou - Languedoc-Roussillon, France travel

Visitez Castelnou: : gites | hotels | location des voitures | explore Languedoc

Castelnou ('most beautiful villages of France') is about 20 kilometres south-west of Perpignan, not far from the border with Spain

Tourist Information

Castelnou is a lovely little village, in a beautiful setting of rolling hills in the eastern Pyrenees. The village, sitting in the shadow of the castle that towers above, and also that of the famous Mount Canigou, dates from the 10th century

The village is entered through a large stone arch / gate, dating from the 14th century, and is part of the fortifications that were at that time erected around the village. The narrow cobbled streets in the village are impossible to walk along without having a sense of the thousands who have already passed the same way - a real step back in time.

The castle itself, high on a rock above the village, dates in part from the 10th century although the original building was largely destroyed in the 16th century. Renovated at the beginning of the 20th century, the castle was then again destroyed, this time by a fire. In recent years it has been again restored.

There is also a fine - simple and understated - romanesque style church to visit in the village.

Like other villages among the 'most beautiful villages of France' Castelnou has attracted an array of artists and artisans. Happily there is still little to spoil the feeling that you have entered another time and place.