Vernet-les-Bains is a beautiful mountain village situated at an altitude of 650 metres (about 2,000 feet) in the eastern Pyrenees of France. It is an ideal centre for visitors and holidaymakers.

The village enjoys a wonderful climate (with, on average, 300 days of sunshine each year) and is set in a sheltered valley in the foothills of the Canigou mountain -which rises to a height of 2,785 metres (over 9,000 feet).

Tranquil and restful, Vernet-les-Bains has long been known for its hot water spring. A health centre in the village is located above this source and is specially equipped for the treatment of respiratory and rheumatic conditions.

Here the natural environment is a treasured asset. Officially designated as a "Centre for green tourism" Vernet-les-Bains is also proud to be the first "Village-Arboretum" in France. Over 1,500 trees are located within the village, with some 200 species having been identified and listed.

Vernet-les-Bains is an excellent centre for walkers. There are many possibilities for good walks in the Canigou massif, and in the Cady valley, where the village is located.

There is also a geological museum with a fine collection of specimens, including some remarkable crystals and marine fossils.

And, within close reach of Vernet-les-Bains, there are many other fascinating attractions : romanesque abbeys, picturesque villages and fortified towns, stunning limestone caverns, the famous "little yellow train", etc...
Vernet-les-Bains is enchanting: a village which is a delight to visit, whatever the time of the year and whatever your preferred pace of discovery.

Vernet-les-Bains offers you a warm welcome.

	Vernet-les-Bains: illustrated information leaflet (in French & English) Taille : 807 ko

History of Vernet : a summary in English

Rudyard Kipling, the Kipling Centenary 2011 and the Entente Cordiale

Rudyard Kipling stayed in Vernet-les-Bains in 1910, 1911 et 1914. He was already well-known in France, following the award to him of the Nobel Prize for Literature and the success of the French version of The Jungle book.

Several events in Vernet are being planned for 2011 to mark the centenary of Kipling's most celebrated visit to the town. A programme in English explaining what has been prepared can be found here.

An article by Sam Collett about Kipling's visits to Vernet is available here.

Kipling's short story, "Why snow falls at Vernet", written while he was in the town in 1911, can be seen here(it follows a French translation).

The text of a letter written by Kipling in 1911, in praise of Vernet's mountain, Canigou, can be seen here (it follows a French translation).

A description of Vernet in 1911 by the English writer Vincent Scott O'Connor can be seen here (it also follows a French translation).

	Tribute to Kipling 2011: press summary Taille : 790 ko

Vernet-les-Bains is the only settlement in France with a monument to the 1904 Entente Cordiale between France and Britain. Information (partly in English) about this monument, is available here:

	Entente Cordiale Taille : 70 ko

Entente Cordiale monument

Kipling (bottom, far right) with dignitaries in Vernet, March 1911

The Kipling Circuit (the Chemin Kipling) is a short, self-guided trail around the "Belle Epoque" sector of Vernet-les-Bains, well known to Kipling. It was opened in March 2011. It begins outside the tourist office (where information on the circuit can be obtained). The route of the circuit is marked by a dozen illustrated panels (and by jungle snakes painted on the ground!). A translation in English of the panels' texts is below.

	The Kipling Circuit Taille : 1841 ko

The Kipling Circuit

Kipling enjoyed many walks around Vernet. You can follow some of his footsteps on a short walk called the "Belle Epoque" circuit, which is described here in English:

	The "Belle Epoque" walk Taille : 1986 ko

Practical information


	Please consult the French pages of this website for information on hotels, camp sites, restaurants, and so on. Descriptions in English of walks around Vernet-les-Bains, including walks to the summit of Canigou, are available here: http://www.vernet-dels-banys.eu/cadyguide.pdf

Information in English on routes to the summit of Canigou is available here:

	Routes to the summit of Canigou Taille : < 1 ko

	Vehicles and parking on forest tracks Taille : 775 ko

A description in English of a permanent exhibition at the Maison du Patrimoine (the tourist office) is available here:

	Exhibition, Maison du Patrimoine Taille : 139 ko

A description in English of a walk around the heart of Vernet, le vieux village, is available here:

	A stroll around the old village Taille : 3136 ko

For further information

Tourism Office

Maison du Patrimoine
2 rue de la Chapelle
F-66820 VERNET-LES-BAINS
Tel : 0033 (0)4.68.05.55.35.
Fax : 0033 (0)4.68.05.60.33.
tourisme.vernet-les-bains@wanadoo.fr

site officiel

Photothèque

Autres liens

COMITE REGIONAL DU TOURISME
LANGUEDOC ROUSSILON
www.sunfrance.com

COMMUNAUTE DE COMMUNES
CANIGOU VAL CADY
www.canigou-valcady.fr

COMITE DEPARTEMENTAL DU TOURISME
DES PYRENEES ORIENTALES
Pour plus de renseignements sur les Pyrénées Orientales, visitez le site des Pyrénées Orientales.
http://www.tourisme-pyreneesorientales.com/en

PARC NATUREL REGIONAL
PYRENEES CATALANES
www.parc-pyrenees-catalanes.fr

RESEAU CULTUREL
Le Patrimoine en Terre Catalane
www.reseauculturel.fr

St Martin du Canigou

How to get there

By motor vehicle : From the Autoroute A9 (55km from Vernet), take the N116 road, signposted for Andorra, as far as Villefranche-de-Conflent, then take the D116, 5km to Vernet-les-Bains.

By train : From Perpignan rail station there is a direct service to Villefranche-de-Conflent (about one hour), from where Vernet-les- Bains can soon be reached by taxi or bus.

By bus : direct link from Perpignan to Vernet-les-Bains.

By plane : via Perpignan airport

Click here to see bus and train timetables, an access map and a plan of the town

TOURISME - Animations - Espace Citoyen - Associations - Vernet aujourd'hui et hier - Contacts - Brochures - Plan du site
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