Two lakes, a path around both bodies of water and a connection to the town centre: Saint-Jean-Pla-De-Corts offers practical ways to enjoy a stay by the water. There are also water sports and an architectural history with clearly dated chapters. When planning your visit, it is worth treating the lake activities and historical sites as separate highlights.
Lakes, paths and water activities
The path around the two lakes is accessible on foot and by bicycle. The Voie verte is a separate route: it connects the lakes with the town centre and is also part of the cross-border Pirinexus route. This means you can include both a circuit around the lakes and the connection to town in your plans.
The first lake is home to Aquapark Saint Jean, a large inflatable water-play course. Teleski Saint Jean offers water skiing, kneeboarding and wakeboarding for everyone from beginners to advanced riders. For a different activity, Teleski Saint Jean’s Water Jump has nine ramps and is open to visitors aged four and up. Aquapark Saint Jean and Teleski Saint Jean activities, including the Water Jump, may operate seasonally.
The FUN NAUTIQUE centre on the lake at Saint-Jean-Pla-De-Corts rents pedal boats, stand-up paddleboards, kayaks and Big Paddle boards; rentals may be seasonal. Alongside the Teleski and Aquapark activities, you can therefore choose from a range of watercraft rentals.
The swimming lake at Saint-Jean-Pla-De-Corts has a supervised beach in July and August. Check the current lifeguard service dates locally before your visit. Water sports and leisure activities may operate seasonally, so check before travelling which of the activities you are interested in will be available on your dates.
The Parc Les Aventuriers de Saint Jean is also located on the lakeshore. It offers nature-themed adventure courses for children aged three and up, as well as numerous zip lines. One crosses the lake and ends at water level. The park opens seasonally, so plan your visit around your travel dates.
Architecture and craftsmanship
The choir of Saint-Jean Baptiste Church dates from the 10th century and is pre-Romanesque in style. A church bell dating from 1657 is listed as a Monument historique. The fortifications surrounding the new Cellera also tell of an early period in the town’s history: they date from the 12th century. In 1370, a chapel dedicated to Saint John was commissioned within the keep complex.
Two further periods of construction meet at the Saint-Sébastien Chapel: it retains a 14th-century choir and a single-nave hall built in the 18th century. The Château of Saint-Jean-Pla-De-Corts served as a summer residence for the kings of Majorca. Together with the church and fortifications, these sites form a historical highlight that is clearly distinct from the seasonal leisure activities by the water.
The Briqueterie Sainte-Marcelle has a story of its own. It is now the last active brickworks still producing Cayrous for the region’s historic monuments. The brickmaking tradition dates back to 1735 and has been recognised as part of France’s intangible cultural heritage. A visit shows the production process, from raw clay to finished terracotta products. Check access in advance before planning your visit.
Discover more destinations: Ur, Saint Cyprien, Tresserre, Port-Vendres, Saint-Laurent-De-Cerdans, Prunet-Et-Belpuig, Campoussy, Saint-Laurent-De-La-Salanque
For the broader travel guide: Pyrénées-Orientales.
