Porté-Puymorens is a town in the Pyrénées-Orientales, in the Occitanie region, 25 km south of Ax-les-Thermes.
Its territory of 49 km² belongs to the high mountains, oscillating from 1557 to 2827 meters above sea level (at the level of the Pic du Col Rouge). Bordering the principality of Andorra to the west, bordering the department of Ariège to the north, the locality belongs to the historical and cultural region of Cerdanya, a high altitude plain of which it is one of the "gates" to the North West.
Crossed in particular by the course of the Ariège, covered for the most part by open spaces (rocks) or herbaceous (80% of its surface area) and forests (17%), Porté-Puymorens no longer has more than a hundred of "permanent" inhabitants. The town (created in 1860), on the other hand, is very popular from a tourist point of view. It has been home to a winter sports resort since 1936, popular with a family audience (35 slopes), and in summer, hiking and climbing enthusiasts, in particular, have great potential here. that the areas classified for their rich biodiversity are legion.
Added to this is a historical heritage that testifies to the turbulent past of this border area...
In terms of heritage, several sites are worth mentioning in the locality. This is the case of the castle of Puymorens, now in ruins, which dominates the village, and which was built in the 11th century. It is also called "Cerdane Tower". Acquired in 1308 by Jacques II of Majorca, it was completed by the castle of Carol, below, in the valley (in the town of Porta). Their vocation was to defend access to the valley.
Next in the village, the Church of the Nativity of Notre-Dame has a rectangular plan, with a single nave, a flat apse, without choir, flanked to the south by a small side chapel and a sacristy. A wooden stand is visible at the front. The fairly modest building has been altered frequently. Note, however, a corner chaining and a freestone door. The bell tower was raised in the 19th century and the whole of the church was taken over at the beginning of the 20th century (masonry), when a converted brick vault was made. However, modest as it is, the church houses a magnificent altarpiece dedicated to the Virgin (17th century), sculpted panels, Christs (17th century), statues (18th century) and a painting (17th century)…
In addition, in the town, an oratory dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes is also located.
Crossed by the RN 20 and a railway line for which tunnels have been drilled to "pass" the Puymorens pass, the village, which is very snowy in winter, opens a first ski slope in 1936. The resort which was developed over the decades is now the primary economic activity of the town.
In terms of downhill skiing, its area laid out at an altitude of 1600 to 2500 m (at the level of the Mine chairlift) has 35 downhill slopes facing north and north-east offering excellent snow quality.
In detail, there are 6 black runs, 11 red, 6 blue and 12 green. The longest is 12 km! In addition, a few kilometers can be traveled at night. The resort also has a snow park for lovers of new winter sports and a freestyle area. A children's area is located at the Col du Puymorens. As for the French Ski School, its local branch offers group lessons or private lessons (information on +33 4 68 04 87 08).
The "village" atmosphere of the resort which has not been transformed by overly modernist building constructions, the quality of the snow cover and the variety of slopes accessible to beginners as well as seasoned skiers make Porté-Puymorens a family destination by Excellency. Cross-country skiing is not forgotten with 40 km of tracks traced in woods planted with larches. And snowshoe hikers can also find quality potential.
All information on the resort on +33 4 68 04 82 41.
In summer, the possible activities are just as rich. The club "Le Plein d'Nature" offers to supervise canyoning descents and mountain bike hikes (contact on +33 6 33 40 64 84) and an association specializes in the organization of "cani randos" and "cani VTT " (summer version of sleigh rides). Information on +33 6 29 42 13 15.
For its part, the equestrian farm "d'En Garcie" offers horseback riding, horse-drawn carriage or pony rides: information on +33 6 10 76 79 87.
Also note that a specialized club has set up zip-line courses in the east of the town (Lac du Passet, Gorges du Carol, lacustrine valley of Font Vives). Information on +33 4 68 04 15 47.
As for lovers of hiking at altitude and climbing, many paths and routes are available which obviously most often require a certain expertise... For the family public however, some loops without major difficulty are the opportunity to apprehend the fauna (mouflons, marmots) and flora of the high mountains... Maps and information from the tourist office on +33 4 68 04 15 47.
The town being included in its perimeter, it should be noted that the Regional Natural Park of the Catalan Pyrenees regularly programs exhibitions and thematic hikes on the territory. Contact +33 4 68 04 97 60.
