Canet En Roussillon

Canet en Roussillon is a modern seaside resort and traditional fishing village situated in the heart of the Catalan countryside just 17 km from Perpignan. The sandy beaches are long and golden, and adjacent to the coast road is the Canet Saint Nazaire Lagoon which is covered with red flamingos. On the banks of the lagoon stands the Château Roussillon vineyard where you can sample some of the excellent local wines.

Fruit and vegetables are grown here and there is a food market in the town centre every Tuesday and Thursday morning where you can purchase a wide selection of fresh local produce and wine.

It is a sunbather’s paradise with over four kilometres of sandy beaches and twenty beach clubs. The marina has around 1,000 berths for boats which are less than 25 metres in length, and is surrounded by bars and restaurants where you can sit and watch the world pass by.

There is plenty to keep everyone occupied here with an Aquarium housing over 350 species of fish from five continents; you can follow a bird watching trail; or there is the Roussillon boat which you can catch from the harbour and take a cruise along the coast.

Canet en Roussillon’s slogan is the “Town of Sport” and it offers excellent facilities and often hosts international sporting events. The activity parks le Pece, la Figarasse, les Candeles and les Balcons du front du Mer offer tennis courts, sports grounds, children’s playgrounds, a roller skating rink, climbing rock, tables tennis and boules. Le Centre Europa has an Olympic size swimming pool, weight training room, sauna, Jacuzzi and offers swimming lessons, water polo, and synchronised swimming competitions. The Piscine Plein Ciel is an indoor pool with a roof that opens and is more suited to the younger members of the family up to secondary school age. The Tennis Centre Europa has 6 tennis courts (two indoor) and has a programme of lessons including mini tennis. There is also a sailing school at the marina and a centre for horse riding.

There are plenty of historic attractions for you to visit during your stay here including the Viscount Castle daring back to 1050, the eleventh century Roman Church of St Martin which is on the hill overlooking the village, and the old houses which have been renovated/reconstructed in the fortified part of the old village. There are also some old fishermen’s huts which have been rebuilt using ancient techniques involving wood and reed which can be seen on the borders of the lake. The Common House in the centre of Canet en Roussillon is the place where the fishermen meet to prepared “Bouillinade d’Anguilles” which is a traditional eel dish.