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4 steps ashore
The Canet beach is THE resort for the inhabitants of Perpignan, which was linked for a long time by a tramway and not by a small train like Palavas and Montpellier. The old town of Perpignan is only 12 km away. Its old lanes have not changed much since the 18th century. If you are tempted by a visit, you could start at the redbrick Castillet Tower which dates back to 1360 with its museum of local traditions inside and its terrace for its panorama over the town and surrounding area. The Lodge which housed the Maritime Shipping Court, the former consulate and the 18th-century Saint Jean cathedral with its single nave will compl
ete this internal circuit.
As in many other places, the “little train” is perfect for coasters who want to visit the area in and around their stopover. Although the beach is beautiful, the sea front is lined with Biarritz or Deauville looking buildings. Their continuous line is only rarely broken by a relic of a villa from the seaside resort of yesteryear. But two kilometres from here, the old village of Canet has kept its former Catalan town character. It has been restored and maintained well and it is very pleasant to stroll down the lanes around the ruins of the Viscount castle, its redbrick church and its pebble ramparts.
The aquarium which is at a stone’s throw from the port is home to more than 350 species of fish. The Canet lake is also a lovely area for strolls: the Coastline Conservatory bought it in order to slow down the filling up of the lake and protect this small microcosm of nature between the Roussillon coast and plain. 
