DIRECTORY OF ACTIVITES FOR FAMILIES, IN AND AROUND VERNET-LES-BAINS

In the pages of this guide, meet our little elf Puck. He will show you lots of things to do, for all the family.

In Vernet-les-Bains

If you are feeling energetic...

Country walks in the Cady valley Explore the network of waymarked walks that start from Vernet-les-Bains and Corneilla-de-Conflent and go in search of waterfalls and dolmens.... Take part in a guided walk… You can also test your navigation skills by trying a « rallye- rando » - ask for the four description sheets available at the tourist information office.

Mountain bike riding There are twelve mountain bike circuits, divided into four levels of difficulty. They offer a great way for your family to explore the Cady valley. Circuits begin at the tourist office, the town hall and the sports complex. Maps and information are available at the tourist office. You can also hire mountain bikes at the Garage Villacèque, rue du Conflent, tel : 04 68 05 51 14. And you can take part in outings every Wednesday organised by the local mountain bike riding club (068569 9722)

Horse riding centre The centre in the Boulevard Claude Nogué offers courses and outings, from 9€. It is open throughout the year. Opening times: 8H30-12H00 and 16H00-20H00. Tel: 04 68 05 60 04.

Walks leaflets, with Tennis courts English transla- Three tennis courts, open to tions, can be bought everyone, are available at 6€ per at the tourist office hour. Tennis club, Parc des sports, avenue Saint Saturnin. Tel : 04 68 05 59 05

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Swimming pool complex An indoor swimming pool is open from September to June. Open-air swimming pools (with a paddling pool and water slide) are open in the summer holi- days. Parc des sports Avenue Saint Saturnin. Tel : 04 68 05 59 03 Swimming classes : Canigou Val Cady Natation Tel : 06 25 74 07 78

For something more leisurely...

Children’s play areas Jardin Nicolau (town hall). Aire d’accueil du 8 mai 1945 (Boulevard des Pyrénées). Parc des sports, near the swimming pool (Avenue Saint Saturnin).

Fishing in the Cady river Fishing in the Cady river is permitted from mid-March until September. Information about where to fish is available at the tourist office. Tel : 04 68 05 55 35 Fiishing permits can be bought on the Internet at www.ma-carte-de-pêche.fr or from the fish farm in . Tel : 04 68 05 70 09.

fice Boules ground he tourist of Ask at t hly «what’s In the parc des sports, Vernet-les-Bains, near the for the mont me swimming pools. on» program

Children’s playgroups in Vernet-les -Bains Qualified instructors offer lots of activites for children during the holiday periods: Creche for « little elves » (6 months to 3 years), rue du Conflent. Tel: 04 68 97 06 24.

3 Recreation centre (30 months to 14 years), av. Saint Saturnin. Tel: 04 68 05 61 10 Youth club (12 to 17 years), 10 bd Clemenceau. Enrolment form downloa- dable at www.vernet-les-bains.fr/vernet/pij.asp. Tel: 04 68 05 76 40

For looking and learning...

Geological museum Discover the hidden wonders of long-lost seas and continents Open every day in summer, 14 h to 18 h. Ground floor, Casino, allée du parc. Tel : 07 68 05 77 97 ou 04 68 05 52 37

Stroll in the old village Ask at the tourist office for a free handout (or download it from www.vernet- les-bains.fr) and set off to explore the maze of little streets below the hilltop castle! Family groups can also take part in the guided tour of the old village, every Monday (April to October).

The Kipling Trail in the « Belle Époque » part of Ver- net-les-Bains Twelve panels in the village (and another nine in the Winter Garden) lead you through the history of Vernet-les-Bains and its earliest visi- tors. There are also guided visits in the summer season he on Tuesday afternoons. Detailed information from the me in t Find « goose g trail tourist office. Tel : 04 68 05 55 35 Kiplin ! game » The heritage centre Exhibitions on the history of Vernet-les- Bains can be visited in the tourist office building. 2 rue de la chapelle .

4 The « Village-Arboretum »

Open your eyes wide to discover the fabulous collection of trees in Vernet-les -Bains, spread throughout the village. Free leaflets on self-guided trails around the arboretum are available at the tourist office (tel : 04 68 05 55 35) and you can also buy there a detailed list of tree species. Family groups can also take part in guided tours of the arboretum (Thursday afternoons in the summer).

The Gardeners Club of Events at the « eco-garden », open to all, are organised on a regular basis. Route de . Tel : 04 68 96 51 49; 06 10 64 67 81

For watching, reading and writing...

Public lending library Place de l’ancienne mairie. Opening times: Tuesday 16h—18h ● Saturday 10h— 12h.

The « little elves » corner at the Maison du Pa- trimoine Story books and colouring books on the theme of «The Jungle Book » are freely available at the Maison du Patrimoine (the tourist office builing, 2 rue de la chapelle). Tel : 04 68 05 55 35

Look carefully at the Point Internet wifi : tourist office castle, then play the Free WiFi service at the tourist office—ask game « the strong castle» there for the access codes

Wifi is also available at the café « Chez Jean Louis » Tel : 04 68 05 54 04.

5 AROUND VERNET If you are feeling energetic...

Contact details ( Contact the organisers for further information Activities --- prices, minimum ages, etc)

Villefranche de : Walking Conflent : Ria Sirach : Montagne vibra- Ria-Sirach : and Exploration Pyré- Altipyr, tion, Sebastien Antoine Glory. snowshoe néenne, Pierre Pays. Barrère. 04 68 96 46 41 walking Jérome Durbet. 06 83 47 52 04 04 68 05 61 04 06 22 45 82 02

Rodès : Villefranche de Accro quads et Conflent : Espira : Pyrénées Mountain vélos, Frederic Exploration Pyré- outdoor sports, bike ri- Baret. néenne, Dominic White. ding 04 68 35 24 95 06 Jérome Durbet. 04 68 05 77 86 12 46 43 94 06 22 45 82 02

Water Villefranche de Villerach : Espira : sports Fillols : Conflent : Canigou, Canigou, Pyrénées outdoor (canoeing Cimes et eau, Exploration Pyré- Marco Rollot. sports, Dominic , ca- Christophe Loste. néenne, 04 68 96 55 00 White. nyoning... 06 37 78 18 18 Jérome Durbet. 06 12 92 60 70 04 68 05 77 86 ) 06 22 45 82 00

Fillols : Prades : Fillols : Ria Sirach : Catherine et Alain Les écuries de Horse Vole avec Pégase, Altipyr, Fontaine, Saint Jaume, Se- riding le Pas de loup. Pierre Pays. 04 68 85 34 86 bastien Amiel. 06 27 86 61 63 06 83 47 52 04 06 73 35 12 21 06 79 86 39 98

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Aventure Pyré- néenne, Norbert

Aumasson à Sauto 04 68 04 96 59

Maison de la montagne- Aventure Pyré- : Kap’oupaKap, Marquixanes : la découverte, Bart néenne, Norbert Sophie Cailleret. Extérieurs. Raymaekers à Nohèdes Aumasson à Sauto 06 88 48 06 45 04 68 05 72 12 04 68 05 31 23 04 68 04 96 59

w what all Do you kno th way- these footpa ? Maison de la montagne- marks mean la découverte, Bart

Raymaekers à Nohèdes 04 68 05 31 23

7 AROUND VERNET If you are feeling energetic...

Contact details ( Contact the organisers for further i Activities nformation—nformation ———prices,prices, minimum ages, etc)

Villerach : Fillols : Marquixanes : Canigou, Canigou, Rock climbing, Cimes et eau, Chris- Extérieurs. Marco Rollot. Via Ferrata.. tophe Loste. 04 68 05 72 12 04 68 96 55 00 06 37 78 18 18 06 12 92 60 70 Villefranche de Nohèdes : Prades : Conflent : Maison de la montagne- Le monde souterrain. Caving Exploration Pyré- la découverte, Bart Ray- 04 68 57 92 40 néenne, maekers. 06 17 04 05 26 Jérome Durbet. 04 68 05 31 23 Rodès : Accro quads et Eus : vélos, Frederic Baret. Quads, go- Kap’oupaKap, So- 04 68 35 24 95 karts... phie Cailleret. 06 12 46 43 94 06 88 48 06 45 06 20 17 09 55

Fillols : Villefranche de Conflent : Marquixanes : Adventure Cimes et eau, Chris- Exploration Pyrénéenne, Têt aventure, Delphine courses, paint- tophe Loste. Jérome Durbet. Ferrand. ball games... 06 37 78 18 18 06 22 45 82 02 06 24 03 80 60

Sauto : Aventure Pyré- Paragliding néenne, Norbert Aumasson. 04 68 04 96 59

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Eus : Kap’oupaKap, So- phie Cailleret. 06 88 48 06 45

Nohèdes : Maison de la Sauto : Aventure Eus : Kap’oupaKap, montagne-la Pyrénéenne, Nor- Sophie Cailleret. découverte, bert Aumasson. 06 88 48 06 45 Bart Raymae- 04 68 04 96 59 kers.

9 AROUND VERNET For something more leisurely...

Playground at Corneilla-de-Conflent Espace des comtes de Cerdagne et Conflent, near the hôtel de ville. Playground at Prades Château Pams, hôtel de ville park.

For looking and learning...

Casteil Animal Park Spend an unforgettable day meeting animals from all five continents. Tel : 04 68 05 67 54

Limestone caves : Canalettes and Villefranche-de- Conflent Son et lumière in summer, a voyage back in time… Three different cave com- plexes, within 500 metres of each other! Tel: 04 68 05 20 20 ● 06 07 27 11 31

The fortifications of Villefranche-de-Conflent Tour the fortified walls and visit Fort Libéria, perched high above. See how the soldiers of Louis XIV prepared to defend the town! Tourist information office Villefranche-de-Conflent: 04 68 96 22 96

The little yellow train, from Villefranche-de- Conflent In its journey up the Têt valley, this hundred-year-old little train crosses bridges and viaducts that offer spectacular views! Train timetables are available at the tourist office in Vernet-les-Bains. Villefranche-de-Conflent station : 04 68 96 63 62

With the Terre Catalane games book discover the 32 best sites to visit in 10 the Pyrénées Orientales! Snail farm at Visit the farm and discover why local people love to eat snails! Tours by pre-arrangement only. Tel : 04 68 05 83 63 ● 06 16 91 19 49

The « tower of scents » in This museum, with its educational and interactive displays, will help you ex- plore and understand the world of scents and tastes.

The Mining museum of See a locomotive used in the iron mines, look inside a mine tunnel and discover the miners’ tools. Tel : 04 68 97 15 34 ● 06 18 81 50 33

The nature reserves of , Nohédes, Py and Every summer, as part of a « nature festival », there are walks, guided tours and many entertainments and special events. The programme is available at the tou- rist office in Vernet-les-Bains. Fédération des réserves naturelles catalanes : 04 68 05 38 20.

For watching, reading and writing...

Lido Cinema in Prades Avenue du général De Gaulle. Programme available at the tourist office. Tel : 04 68 05 38 00 ou 0892 68 72 27

Prades Library Opening times: Tuesday, 10h to 13 h and 16h to 19h, Wednesday 10h to 19h, Friday 15h to 19h, Saturday 10h to 13h. Tel : 04 68 96 52 37

Information in this document is for guidance only and its coverage is not exhaustive. For further information, and for the latest details, contact the service providers of each ac- tivity. The tourist office of Vernet-les-Bains endeavours to hold as much information as possible about tourist attractions in the area.11 With apolgies for any typographical errors. Illustrations: Office de Tourisme de Vernet-les-Bains, Com-com Canigou Val Cady, Altipyr, kap’oupakap, Têt aventure, accro quad et vélos, Omjac, Claudie Capdeville, cdt.

Office de Tourisme Maison du Patrimoine—2 rue de la Chapelle—66820 Vernet-les-Bains Tel : 0033 (0)4.68.05.55.35. Fax : 0033 (0)4.68.05.60.33. Email : [email protected] www.vernet-les-bains.fr Find us on Facebook !

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