About Formigueres, the area and places to visit:
Formigueres is set in the beautiful Capcir Region of the Pyrenees. This lovely village has been carefully conserved and it is possible to wander through the narrow pretty streets to admire the old houses, still working village farms as well as the beautiful mountain church in the square. Well served with two boulangeries, one with an excellent patisserie section, a small supermarket, newsagent, butcher, cashpoint machine, tourist information, two ski hire shops, bars and restaurants including a creperie and a pizzeria.
Just a short drive from Spain this area has a great deal to offer from its mountain villages to Mediterranean coastline and a strong Catalan feel. Places to visit include the fascinating Four Solaire at Font Romeu and caves at Fontrabiouse. Take the Train Jaune down the mountain to visit Cathar Villefranche with its medieval ramparts and town.
Activities:
Just a five minute drive away is the Lac du Matemale which has a wide range of family friendly activities. In the summer these include sailing, wind surfing, cycling, accro climbing in the trees and horse riding as well as a solar heated out door pool and jacuzzi. During the winter there is diving under the ice and husky sledge rides on offer. There is excellent fishing in this and many other local lakes. A little further away there is great white water rafting, canyoning or canoeing on the River Aude. Finally there are many walking and cycling or VTT routes to enjoy direct from the village.
Formigueres is close to the GR Pays du Tour du Capcir which can be done over several days staying in mountain refuges or accessed from different points for day walks. The chair lift from Formigueres ski station gives easy access into the Camporell Natural Park, which has at it's centre Lac du Camporell overlooked by the Pic Peric. Local guides can be hired for more adventurous trekking.
Ski:
Just a two minute drive by car or free navette is the family friendly ski station with ESF ski school, restaurant, creche and picnic area. The skiing, ranging from 1600-2350m, consists of 19 runs, two chair lifts, 4 tows and 21 snow canons and is excellent for beginners and intermediates. Formigueres is part of the Neige Catalane which consists of eight further ski areas close by, including Les Angles and Font Romeu. Hire a guide to go snow touring and get to the really remote areas of these mountains. Snowboarding, cross country skiing, snow shoeing trips, and sledging are some of the extra activities that can be enjoyed in the winter season.
Other Activities:
For more excitement there is rafting, canyoning, husky sledging and snow touring with a guide.
