Budget
Features
the best period
Spring, Summer, and Autumn
duration
3 days
Get off the beaten track on the railway from Toulouse to Collioure on the Côte Vermeille. Leave the express train to people in a rush: the one to Narbonne then Collioure. Unleash your inner adventurer and nature lover on a trip taking you through the mountains, with a day on the legendary yellow train among the highlights.
Stop at the stations in: Foix - Ussat-les-Bains, Les Cabannes, Ax-les-Thermes, Latour-de-Carol, Mont-Louis, Thuès, L'Ille-sur-Têt, Perpignan and Collioure.
The majestic Pyrenees open their arms to you soon after leaving the Matabiau train station in Toulouse. Get off at Foix station on the edge of the mountain for your first stop at Château de Foix, an iconic castle in the Ariège prefecture (15 min walk from the station). Enjoy the immersive tour and workshops that take you back to the Middle Ages.
Head back down to the old town and, if it's Friday, pop into the market to stock up on local Pyrenean cured meat and cheese.
A short ride later (25 mins) and you reach Ussat-les-Bains station to visit one of the biggest caves in Europe: the famous Grotte de Lombrives!
Another option for your afternoon: a ride up to Beille plateau on an e-bike available to hire from Les Cabannes station. Measure up to the Tour de France cyclists who sometimes ride here and tuck into blueberry tart as you feast your eyes on the mountains. No pain, just gain. Doesn't that sound tempting?
A short train ride (14 mins) takes you into Ax-les-Thermes where you'll be spending the night. The town is famous for its sulfur-rich hot springs and you'll love making like a local: warming your feet in the Bassin des Ladres pool or, if time is on your side, a 2-hour dive deep into the fantastic Roman-style Bains du Couloubret spa. Spend the night in magical accommodation in the village centre and follow your nose when it comes to dinner. Good night!
When the sun comes up, head back to the station in Ax-les-Thermes and make your way to Latour-de-Carol. Travel through staggering mountain landscapes, past stormy rivers and awe-inspiring waterfalls before you go through the Puymorens tunnel. The ski brightens up and there's a Catalan breeze in the air. Welcome to Cerdagne.
All change in Latour-de-Carol in the Pyrénées-Orientales! Hop on board the "Canary"(the Yellow Train's nickname), a train that's certainly one of a kind! It's been functioning for over 100 years, is one of the highest in Europe and, the cherry on the cake, it takes you through mind-blowing landscapes. Words can't describe the adventure you're in for so you're just going to have to try the 3-hour journey in the air and often on the cliff edge...
For today, we recommend stopping at the station in Mont-Louis, the "Sun King's city" (Vauban citadel listed as UNESCO World Heritage), or the station in Thuès to visit the spectacular Gorges de la Carança (15 min walk from Thuès station).
It’s just a 35 min train ride to Villefranche-de-Conflent and your next Vauban citadel: Fort-Libéria. Climb up and empty your mind: it has incredible views of the mountains and valley.
End your day among new friends and settle into one of the pretty B&Bs in the village for a 100% Catalan dinner. Cargolade, boles de Picolat, roussillonnade, crème catalane and rousquilles: try them all!
The last leg of your fabulous train voyage takes you into Roussillon. Say goodbye to the mountains as the horizon flattens out. You're in Mediterranean country among the vines, Barbary fig trees, orchards and rows of cypress trees. It couldn't be more different from yesterday, could it? Your first stop is at the station in Ille-sur-Têt followed by a 15 min walk to a setting straight out of America's national parks: Les Orgues d'Ille-sur-Tet. A natural wonder. Don’t you agree?
It's time for a change of scene: welcome to the Catalan capital whose station was described by the eccentric artist Dali as "el centre del mon" (the centre of the world). Perpignan is well worth a visit. It's stylish yet grounded and bursting with life and heritage.
Soak up the Southern French atmosphere as you join the locals who flock to Halles Vauban (him again?!) market hall day and night, lose yourself in the Saint-Jacques district's winding lanes and venture up to the Palais des Rois de Majorque for panoramic views of the entire city. Magical isn't it?
Can you smell the sea air? A 20 minute train ride takes you to Collioure, pearl of the Côte Vermeille. Drop your backpack off at one of the town's charming places to stay. Head to the end of the bay past Notre-Dame-des-Anges Church. Settle back and gaze at the picture-perfect surroundings that everyone envies us for (no doubt)! Before you turn in for the night, feast on a fish supper with views of the beach or along the docks.
Stations you'll visit on your fabulous voyage: Toulouse, Foix, Ussat-les-Bains, Les Cabannes, Ax-les-Thermes, Latour-de-Carol, Mont-Louis, Thuès, L'Ille-su-Têt, Perpignan, Collioure.
Regional Committee for Tourism and Leisure Occitanie
Others websites
How to get here
By plane: Toulouse-Blagnac Airport is 8km from the city centre which you can reach by tram, shuttle bus or bus.
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