The department enjoys 300 days of sunshine each year, so it's popular with holidaymakers. Local produce includes seafood, olive oil, tomatoes, courgettes, apricots, apples, cherries and peaches. Many of the local restaurants serve a fusion of Spanish and Provence gastronomy.
The Agly Valley is the department’s main wine-growing region. There are many large wine cooperatives and several smaller independent wine producers. The department produces many sweet authentic French wines. It is especially well known for four appellations - Banyuls, Maury, Rivesaltes and Muscat de Rivesaltes. The department also produces dry red wines including Collioure.
The population of the Pyrénées-Orientales is estimated to be around 485,000. Around 28% of the population is aged 65 or over. Living in the Pyrénées-Orientales means you can enjoy a relaxed lifestyle. The local motto is ‘farniente’, which roughly translates to ‘the sweetness of doing nothing’. Mealtimes are flexible, so don’t expect to have lunch at midday and dinner at 8.00 pm. After all, meals are eaten very late over the border in Spain, and post-lunch siestas are compulsory.
Many people living in the Pyrénées-Orientales consider themselves to be Catalan. This means they have their own unique culture and traditions. During the Correfocs (the Catalan festival of fire), people dress up as devils to parade through the streets and fireworks light up the sky.
One of the best things about living in the Pyrénées-Orientales is the diversity of the landscape. The department offers some of the most dramatic scenery in the Occitanie region, and arguably some of the most beautiful landscapes in France.
Many of the views in the Pyrénées-Orientales are dominated by the Pyrenees mountains. If you want to admire the whole region, take a hike to the top of Mont Canigou. Three rivers run through the department - the Tech, the Tet and the Agly.
The department is perfect for nature lovers and people interested in the local heritage. When you live in the Pyrénées-Orientales, you can enjoy a varied lifestyle. You'll find the long sandy beaches on the Mediterranean coastline, the rocky Vermillion Coast, the high valley of Cerdanya, the Pyrenean heights, the famous peak of Canigou (visible from Marseille and Barcelona), historic walled towns, pretty hilltop villages, diverse scenery and ski resorts. This department really does offer the best of both worlds if you're torn between living in the mountains or by the beach.
Places of Interest in Pyrénées-Orientales
- The medieval city of Perpignan - this is the last major city before you arrive in Spain, so you’ll find a blend of French and Catalan cultures. This university town is also known as a City of Art and History.
- Extraordinary Orgues-d'Ille-Sur-Têt - fairytale sculpted mineral formations and one of the most beautiful places in Occitanie
- Villefranche-de-Conflent - this UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the prettiest villages in France
- Prades Market (Tuesdays 8.00 am to 1.00 pm) - large traditional market in Prades town centre
- Eus village - thought to be the sunniest village in France
- Les Angles - an historic village with a modern ski resort
What Cities are in Pyrénées-Orientales?
The department has several major cities, including Perpignan, Canet-en-Roussillon, Saint-Estève, Argelès-Sur-Mer, Saint-Laurent-de-la-Salanque, Céret, Bompas, Pia, Le Soler, Prades, Toulouges, Ille-sur-Tet and Le Boulou.
Best Places to Live in Pyrénées-Orientales
The scenery, food and wine, history and lifestyle make living in Pyrénées-Orientales an attractive option to many. If you’re thinking about living in the Pyrenees Orientales, there are many different property types to choose from. These include mas (traditional stone farmhouses), apartments and villas. Living in France means you’ll enjoy some of the highest living standards in the world, so property prices are relatively high. However, you can still find homes to suit every budget, and if you’re willing to renovate, you’ll be able to get more for your money.
Canet-en-Roussillon
This seaside resort on the Catalonian coast has a huge sandy Blue-Flag beach and crystal-clear waters. Leisure activities in the area include water sports, restaurants and bars, dance clubs, art galleries, an aquarium and a casino. Bird lovers can flock to Canet Pond, a Natura 2000-listed site with numerous wild birds to spot. With an estimated population of 13,000, around 44% of people living here are aged 60 years or over. If you’re thinking of taking your pet to France, the Lido beach is one of the resort’s dog -friendly beaches. Close to the A9 motorway, this seaside town is easily accessible and only 12 km from Canet, where you can take a shuttle ride to Perpignan airport. You can expect to pay in the region of €449,000 for a detached 2-bedroom single-storey home with parking and a garage. A four-bedroom apartment close to the beach could cost in the region of €1,300,000.
Perpignan
The sunny capital city of the department, Perpignan boasts an enviable location at the centre of the Occitanie region. Often the warmest place in France, the city is full of historic and religious buildings, Gothic architecture and Catalan colours. The population of the city is estimated to be around 120,000, although 267,000 people live in the greater metropolitan area. Around 33% of the population is aged 55 or over. You can expect to pay in the region of €140,000 for a two-bedroom apartment in the heart of the city. If you want a bigger property, you can buy a fully refurbished 3-bedroom townhouse with a garden and garage for around €365,000.
Latour-Bas Elne
This beautiful small town on the Catalan coast is 17 km from Perpignan. The fantastic beaches of St Cyprien are within easy reach. The population of the town is estimated to be around 3,500, with 23% of residents aged 65 and over. You can expect to pay in the region of €120,000 for a two-bedroom villa in a domain with a shared swimming pool.
This attractive coastal resort sits at the foot of the Alberes mountains. It has an attractive village centre and a long sandy beach. You can climb to the top of the bell tower to enjoy fabulous views of the region. The town has an estimated population of 11,000 and around 42% of the residents are aged 60 years or over. You can expect to pay in the region of €370,000 for a 2-bedroom single-storey villa close to the beach and village centre.
Ceret
This Catalonian town in the western Pyrenees is known for its annual bullfighting festival, delicious cherries and majestic Devil’s Bridge. Past residents include the artists Picasso, Matisse and Chagall, and the Museum of Modern Art pays homage to them. The town has an estimated population of 8,000, with more than a third of residents aged 65 years or over. You can expect to pay in the region of €500,000 for a 4-bedroom villa.
Collioure
This attractive seaside village has winding roads and a magnificent castle. It’s situated on the Vermillion coast, just 15 miles from the Spanish border. The population is estimated to be 2,500, with 42% of residents aged 65 and over. You can expect to pay around €270,000 for a two-bedroom apartment just steps away from Port d’Avall beach.
Port Vendres
This natural port lies on the Mediterranean coast. Just south of Collioure, it’s an active fishing town with a yachting harbour. The town itself is situated on the edge of the colourful port with views of the ocean and boats. It is around 3 km from many pretty beaches. The local population is estimated to be around 4,000, and approximately 40% of the people living here are aged 65 or over. You can expect to pay in the region of €350,000 for a one-bedroom apartment with sea views.
Cost of Living in Pyrénées-Orientales
The Pyrénées-Orientales is set in a beautiful location on the Mediterranean coast. As a result, the price of buying a property here is relatively high, although still lower than the national average in France. Properties in the Pyrénées-Orientales are usually more affordable than those in the Aude, Gard and Herault departments.
If you’re thinking of applying for French citizenship and residency, you’ll need to consider the cost of living in France. In general, you can expect to pay between €530 and €1,300 per month to rent a one-bedroom city-centre apartment. To rent a three-bedroom home in a rural area, you could pay between €750 and €2,000 per month.
Perpignan is one of the more expensive places to live in the department. In Perpignan, couples can expect to pay around €112 per month on utilities including gas, electricity and heating. In a sought-after area of the city, you can expect to pay around €776 to rent a furnished apartment (85m2).
The general cost of living in France is approximately 5% higher than in the UK. That said, the exact amount you’ll need to budget will depend on your lifestyle. Choosing to live in the Pyrénées-Orientales will be far cheaper than living in an urban city such as Paris. Appliances such as fridge-freezers, dishwashers and washing machines tend to be more expensive in France, but your monthly bills are likely to be similar to what you would expect to pay in the UK. It may be sensible to factor in the cost of air conditioning, as it can be very hot in the summer months.
If you’re considering buying a home to renovate in the Pyrénées-Orientales, it’s important to factor in the cost of DIY materials - these are often more expensive than in the UK.
If you enjoy dining out, alcohol is much cheaper in French restaurants and bars than in the UK. It is also cheaper to buy from the supermarket. Meals out are cheaper too - you can often find a three-course set meal with wine for around €15.
People considering retiring to France should always consult a currency broker before making any decisions. You will need to consider the currency exchange rate before committing to move to the Pyrénées-Orientales. You will also need to budget for the cost of paying taxes in France.
Weather and Air Quality in Pyrénées-Orientales
The Pyrénées-Orientales department enjoys more than 300 days of sunshine per year. Although it can be hot, the diverse landscape of the department means you can head up into the mountains for some fresher, cooler air if you’re too hot during the summer months. The department is known for its micro-climate - it can be raining in one place and sunny just 10km away. May, June and September offer the best of the weather, while July and August tend to be very hot. August is the hottest month, with an average temperature of 25 degrees Celsius. Throughout the summer, good weather is almost guaranteed, although you may see summer storms and heavy showers from time to time. It remains warm into the evening.
The sea temperature is warm and the waters are clear. October and November are still pleasant, but it can be cool in the evenings. You are more likely to see heavy rain showers too. During January, February and March, the Tramontane winds are strong and unpredictable. There can be heavy rain and snowfall, and the skies are often overcast. The coldest month is January, with an average temperature of around 10 degrees Celsius. The wettest month is October. The annual precipitation rate is around 145 mm.
The air quality in the Pyrénées-Orientales is generally excellent.
History and Culture in the Pyrénées-Orientales
Before the French Revolution, France was not as centralised as it is today. The country was ruled by the French king, but each region was governed by the church and the local aristocracy. They were the key landowners and holders of economic and political power. Most of the regions in France would have their own language - only about 50% of the people in France spoke French at the time of the Revolution. The other half of the population spoke different dialects, including Brecon, Occitan, Basque and Flemish. In time, the French language replaced these local languages and the local cultures started to disappear.
Following the French Revolution, the French government, systems and rules became centralised too. However, in some regions, including the Pyrénées-Orientales, the cultural identity of the past remained strong. The Catalan culture continues to be revered and celebrated by the people living in Pyrénées-Orientales. The department is sometimes referred to as the Catalan Pyrenees or Le Pays Catalan (the Catalan country).
Catalan is a western Romance language that has been spoken for over 1000 years. It was illegal to speak the language for a while, but it has never died in the Pyrénées-Orientales. You’ll still see red and yellow street signs and Catalan flags flying overhead. The department capital of Perpignan is the largest Catalan city after Barcelona.
Catalan dishes continue to be served up throughout the restaurants in the department, and folk songs and dances like the Sardana are still performed enthusiastically.