In Font-Romeu, the municipality is renewing its “Christmas family week” program – which can be translated as a “family Christmas week” for French-speaking winter residents – with numerous proposals to entertain adults and their little ones. The highlights are concentrated on December 24, 30 and 31, with very theatrical strolls in the center of the resort, particularly at the time when the skiers are coming down from the area. These strolls are extended by musical sets, given from the square in front of the cable car departure station. On the 24th, Santa Claus will be there.
In Les Angles, it is the Santa Claus parade which will bring together the large crowd, on the 24th at 7 p.m. A very sporty Santa this year. He will abseil from the bell tower to cross the village, not in a sleigh, but perched on a bicycle attached to a float, to recall the glory day next July with the arrival of the third stage of the Tour de France at Pla del Mir which dominates the resort. Santa Claus will then extend his journey with a descent, in slow ski mode, on a green slope. Then will return backstage to let the audience admire a fireworks display.
The evening of the 31st, in Les Angles, will begin with the torchlight descent of the resort instructors and the best skiers in the area, before the festive evening which concerns all the village’s food shops, a musical evening in the Angléo room and disco bell tower on the village square until 2 a.m. on January 1st.
On Saturday January 3, Nordique-Capcir, the resort in the Catalan Pyrenees, offers its famous “full moon party”, an evening of cross-country skiing under the full moon, at the La Calme area in Font-Romeu. You can slide for free and without a pass, with or without a headlamp, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Mulled wine is offered.
Moving away from the slopes
Apart from festive evenings, the meeting points are varied. There is no shortage of Christmas markets between now and the end of the month… and even at the beginning of January: if that of Sainte-Léocadie will take place on December 21, and that of Bolquère on the 24th, the traders of Formiguères will welcome holidaymakers until January 2, and those of Angles until the 4th. In Font-Romeu, the winter market will remain in place until March 30.
In the mountains, but a little further from the slopes, the Cerdagne museum, in Sainte-Léocadie, is open from Monday to Friday (except December 25 and January 1). You can also visit Thémis, the famous solar power plant, from Monday to Friday (except December 25 and January 1).
Finally, hot baths are a real blessing: in Dorres, in nature, or in Angléo (it is prudent to reserve your two-hour slot). The Llo baths, however, are not accessible this winter following the fire of December 6. It is also possible to reach the Saint Thomas baths in Fontpédrouse, on the sole condition of driving 40 minutes.
