The town of Canet-en-Roussillon is located in the south of France in the Pyrénées-Orientales department. It is primarily known as a seaside resort. Close to Perpignan, it welcomes thousands of French tourists each year. Here is a list of things to do in Canet-en-Roussillon, the second largest town in the Pyrénées-Orientales region.
Written by Anto
30 April 2025
read in 1 min
Summary
Top things to do in Canet-en-Roussillon
1 - Roussillon Castle
Built over several centuries, from the 11th to the 15th century, Roussillon Castle was a mix between a medieval fortress and a pleasure castle. Poorly maintained for hundreds of years and in ruins after several wars, it was purchased in 1958 by a couple of teachers.
After falling in love with the château's surroundings and its charm, the Mailhol couple set out to renovate it and continue its history through time. Even today, Jean-François Mailhol, as passionate as his parents, continues the renovations of this historic monument.
Roussillon Castle comes back to life for events such as weddings, parties, and vacation stays. Apartments have also been created within the castle to make it even more attractive.
Prices:
- 3-day weekend: €3,300 to €3,700
- Week: €3,900 to €4,300
2 - The beaches of Canet
The city's beaches , although touristy in summer, are very pleasant the rest of the year. On the Mediterranean coast, the water temperature is among the highest in France. Waves are rare, and the sand is pleasant. Lifeguarded and cleaned daily, Canet's beaches are veritable hubs of activity: kitesurfing, diving, catamaran sailing, volleyball... something for families!
The most beautiful beaches in Canet:
- Lido Beach
- Sardinal Beach
- Canet Cove
3 - The fishing village of the Canet pond
Fishermen's huts are visible on the edge of the town's pond. Widely scattered, they are the remains of a fishing village . Recently rehabilitated in 1993, they are exact copies of the small houses of the time made of wood, Provençal canes, etc. Although they are no longer used for living, they constitute real means of storing fishermen's equipment. Thanks to the natural techniques used for their construction, each hut can ensure a life expectancy of between 18 and 25 years. Enjoying this ancestral village and the landscapes that surround it is a good way to soak up the atmosphere within the old fishing communities of the south of France.
4 - The Canet Arboretum
The town of Canet is also known for its famous Arboretum . The latter represents a true living space, with hundreds of varieties of trees and plants. Spanning over 10 hectares, these gardens contain trees that are around a hundred years old. Managed by the Catalan Center for Mediterranean Agronomy and Environmental Studies (CCEAME), the Mas Roussillon botanical park allows for proper maintenance throughout the year. The place is open for both a visit and for picking fruits and vegetables.
Prices:
- Self-guided tour: free
- Guided tour: €2.50 / adults
5 - Oniria, the aquarium of Canet-en-Roussillon
Canet-en-Roussillon has recently become home to a huge aquarium: Oniria . Opened last July, this aquarium is the city's newest tourist attraction. More than just an aquarium, Oniria offers a truly immersive journey to learn more about the secrets of the seabed. The guided tour is fun and interactive, with the guide playing the role of a drop of water traveling through all the world's seas and oceans.
In total, the aquarium has more than 80 tanks. Immersive, oscillating between reality and virtual experiences, it's a great activity for the whole family. A multi-sensory experience that combines entertainment and education!
Prices:
- Adults (from 11 years old): €14.50
- Children (3 to 10 years old): €11
6 - Day by boat
The port of Canet en Roussillon , close to many coves, has the “Qualité Plaisance” and “Ports propre” labels. Very well maintained, its 25 hectares of water allow it to accommodate thousands of floating berths. Many boat rental companies have set up shop there to entertain visitors to the city. In good weather, it is pleasant to get away from the beaches, often too crowded, to lose yourself in the surrounding coves. For this, boat rental can be interesting. Navivoile is a company that offers cruises and other nautical activities. It notably offers a 2-hour boat trip to visit the surrounding area (Canet pond - Saint-Nazaire).
Prices:
- Adults (+12 years): €22
- Children (4 to 12 years): €14
- Children (under 4 years old): free
7 - Mas Baux wine estate
Between Perpignan and Canet-en-Roussillon, lies the Mas Baux wine estate , which has existed since the 18th century. The estate covers several hectares surrounded by wonderful landscapes. The owners, Serge and Marie-Pierre Baux, have chosen to make organic the distinctive feature of their wine. More than an alcoholic beverage, the grape varieties of Baux wines are the fruit of a story, the passion of a man, and the terroir of the Pyrénées-Orientales. Serge Baux, a nature lover, emphasizes his choice of organic farming and tries to carry out as many steps as possible manually.
Thanks to their dedication, the estate won Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals in the 2021 Challenge Millésime Bio competition. In addition to selling their wines, Les Baux organizes tours and tastings on their property for visitors interested in wine.
Services:
- Tours and tastings
- Tasting picnic
- Playful olfactory experience
- Events
8 - Bike ride
In response to visitors' enthusiasm for cycling , the town of Canet-en-Roussillon has created numerous cycle paths and trails for exploring the surrounding area. In total, there are three cycle paths and four different routes available for cycling around the town. There are several bike rental shops located along the beach and in the centre of Canet.
Prices:
- Half-day city bike: €13
- Half-day electric bike: €20
- Half-day mountain bike race: €18
9 - The Compass, Live Escape Game
In case of bad weather, the Boussole is a great way to have fun with the family. Located in the city center, this Live Escape Game is an immersive, real-life escape game. In teams of 3 to 6 people, this activity aims to create cohesion, brainstorm logic games, and try to solve puzzles. The goal is to escape the room before the end of the 60-minute scenario. With a total of 4 different rooms, the scenarios are varied and can be played multiple times!
Prices:
- 3 players: €25/person
- 4 players: €24/person
- 5 players: €22/person
- 6 players: €20/person
10 - Hospices Gallery
For art lovers, the Hospices de Canet Gallery is a great way to cultivate your knowledge. Formerly known as the “Anciennes Ecuries des Hospices,” the gallery's building is built on the ancient ramparts of the city of Canet-en-Roussillon. Between permanent exhibitions and new discoveries, the Hospices Gallery offers hundreds of works of modern and contemporary art.