You can travel by bus throughout the Pyrénées-Orientales for just 1 euro per person. The general council of this gorgeous department on France’s border with Spain introduced the bargain fare about 18 months ago as an environmental initiative, pointing out that one bus can keep up to 30 cars off the road.
I like travelling on local buses in France. There’s a sense of adventure, a challenge to practice your language skills and, in this region, a chance to get up close and personal with the friendly local people and their Catalan traditions.
Perhaps the general council also had tourism in mind, as the scheme allows visitors to travel on some stunning routes, taking in the capital city of Perpignan, the dramatic Pyrenees mountains, sandy beaches and the picturesque port of Collioure. This sunny little town was once home to Matisse, Picasso, Dufy and many other iconic artists and you can still see their work and buy prints in local museums and galleries.