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Natural reserve, gardens |
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- "Natural Animal Park in Les Angles" :
This regional natural park in the Pyrenees massive stretches across 138,000 ha. It includes 7 natural reserves, 2 spas and 12 ski resorts. Extremely rich and diverse, it serves as a teaching, cultural, Pyrenees fauna and flora material. Winter transforms these landscapes into an intimidating snowy space. It holds wild bores, stags, mouflons, deer, marmots, reindeer, fallow deer and it is useful for the reintroduction of wolves and bears, and it is also a place for long walks.
- "Eyne Valley" :
It is a natural reserve known mostly by botanists.
- "The Marin Reservation in Cerbere-Banyuls"
Abutting to Spain and the first French Marin reservation, it covers 650 ha.
It is a cultural, educational, fauna and flora preservation instrument of this magnificent rocky coast. It represents a starting point for countless trips and nautical activities. Boat rides and beacon courses allow you to discover the underwater life found on the rocky coast’s bottom with a mask and a tube.
- The "Ponteilla Exotical Garden" :
It is a garden which holds vegetation from all continents.
- "Parc de Bompas" :
It is a lovely municipal park which covers six hectares and is beautifully seeded. One can admire the swans, ducks and geese in the pond. There is a playground for children and also an animal farm with donkeys, llamas, peacocks, horses, poneys, goats, sheep etc. There is the possibility of buying very cheap seeds in order to feed the animals and please the children.
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Panoramic paths |
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- The belfry at the Cap Béar weather station.
The station parking is the starting point for the ‘Seaside Trail’.
- Trail located between ‘Cap Béar’ and ‘Paulilles’:
this trail offers a wonderful walk along the rocky coast with a panoramic view towards the Mediterranean Sea’s waves, which dash on the foot of the cliff in a reel of foam. Scattered across are the terraced vineyards, cork oaks, agaves and barbaric symbols, after which the path opens to a beautiful lighthouse located 80 m high, also accessible from the road.
- The lighthouse belfry at ‘Cap Béar’ dominates ‘Port-Vendres’ and ‘Paulilles-Banyuls’.
One can reach it after a spectacular 2.5 km walk between the Paulilles beach and ‘Cap Béar’.
- The Salifort belfry
near Banyuls sur Mer has a panoramic view over the Roussillon plain, surrounded by the tops of the ‘Massane Tower’ and the ‘Madeloc Tower’.
- Belfry next to ‘Notre-Dame-de-la-Salette’
on the heights of Banyuls sur Mer.
The belfry of ‘Cases de Pene’
Cloister guards the Agly valley at an altitude of almost 330 m. When exiting the village, the climb up to the Cloister offers walk enthusiasts a small gravel road and an arid environment where agaves grow sparsely. After 45 minutes of walking, the Cloister arises majestically. At the base, the medieval castle was the guard tower of Agly. The first written mentions of its chapel date back to approximately 1200. The castle was slowly abandoned and so its destination was changed to a Cloister.
- The Tautavel ‘Lighthouse Tower’.
If the climb up to the watch tower remains difficult, a remarkable view point over the Roussillon plain compensates the brave walking enthusiasts.
- The ‘Corsavy Tower’ :
The 14the century watch tower dominates the valley with its lunar landscape and eroded calcareous rocks
- The ‘Madeloc Tower’ :
Watch tower situated on the crest road, with a walking course which includes a perch. The Madeloc Tower, built in the 14th century, is right in front of the Massane Tower, and offers a panoramic point of view over this fairy-tale like rocky coast which dominates Collioure and Banyuls-sur-Mer.
- The ‘Massane Tower’ :
In Alberes, the watch tower, built probably by Jacques II of Majorca, stands tall in front of The Madeloc Tower. When leaving the Lavall village, the walk takes place amongst the permanently green oaks during its first half, and then becomes gentler in order to reward the bold with an impregnable view over the Roussillon, Collioure and Angeles plains and the ‘Massane’ forest.
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Caves |
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- The ‘Grande Canalettes’
Grottos in Villefranche de Conflent with a grand subterranean view are amongst the most visited in the Oriental Pyrenees.
- The ‘Canalettes Grottos’.
Found at 1km away from Villefranche de Conflent
- The ‘Cova Bastera Grottos’.
It is a small grotto fortified by Vauban, which served as an ammunition warehouse
- The ‘Fontrabiouse Grotto’.
In Cerdagne, the Fontrabiouse grottos, open since 1982, can be visited together with the guides, for a fabulous trip to the middle of the earth.
- Not far from Geoges de la Fou, the tiny ‘Can Ley’ grotto is the one which served as a refuge for the ‘Trabucayres’, catalonian bandits from around the year 1845.
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Gorges |
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Their spectacular view is often times favourable for walks
- The ‘Galamus Gorges’ in Fenolleda :
Gorges dug into the chalkstone, a corridor approximately 4 km long, with many waterfalls and big pots. Beginning with the 7th and 8th centuries, the monks retreated to these natural grottos, one of which has even been transformed into a chapel.
- The ‘Fou Gorges’ in Arles-sur-Tech.
Geological curiosity of a height that can reach up to 200 m. A bridge allows a walk of more than an hour alongside them.
- The ‘Carança Gorges’ :
The Carança gorges’ canyon, situated between ‘Villefranche’ and ‘Mont-Ludovic’ is the joy of the experienced climbers.
- The ‘Segre Gorge’.
It is close to the Llo sulphurous springs.
- The small ‘Tautavel Gorge’
is accessible only to the adventurous climbers, but its pond and river are favourable to baths and picnics.
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Museums |
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The museum of contemporary art :
The Oriental Pyrenees have been the welcoming land for many artists, in particular for Ceret and Collioure.
- The Museum of Modern Art in Ceret. Without a doubt, it was created in 1950 by Pierre Brune. There, one can admire the works of the great artists who lived in the Oriental Pyrenees region, artists such as Picasso, Juan GriÅ, Braque, Kisling, Soutine, Chagall, Matisse, Kremegne or even Miro, Tapies or Viallat.
- The Pams Museum in Collioure, Collioure being the cradle of Catalonian ‘fauvism’
- The Mallol Museum in Banyuls
- The Charles Rennie Mackintosh Museum in Port-Vendres
- The Terrus Museum in Elne. The appeal of the local landscapes.
- The ‘Collection from Saint-Cyprien’ (the art of the 20th and 21st centuries)
- The Hycacinthe Rigaud Museum of Beautiful Arts in Perpignan.
The prehistoric museum :
- The ‘Prehistoric Museum in Tautavel’ with its priceless patrimony: close to the Caucane de d’Arago grotto, it was the scene of a remarkable find. Henry de Lumley discovered a skull made up from 120 bone fragments belonging to the Tautavel Man dating from approximately 300,000 to 450,000 years ago, (the oldest one in all of Europe). This regional discovery is of international significance. The grotto, of a great geological richness is the home of the geological diggings which uncovered countless vestiges (human and animal fossils). Its museum and patrimony grow larger in the same rhythm.
- The Prehistoric Castle Museum in Belesta: dating from the 12th century and having been fortified by Saint-Louis, it houses the prehistoric museum, having pieces discovered inside a 6,500 year old tomb.
- The ‘Ceret Archaeological Museum’
The Agricultural and Popular Traditions Museum :
- The ‘Cal Mateu de Sainte-Leocardie’ Museum in Cardagne. Old farm from the 18th century.
- The ‘Alberes house’ in Argeles-sur-mer: The Museum of handicraft and regional traditions
- The ‘House of Patrimoine’ in Vernet-les-Bains: the journal of a traveller in Conflent
- The Museum of Catalonian Agriculture in Michel-de-Ilotes: about the agricultural activities in Aspres
- The ‘Pairal House’. The Museum of Arts and Traditions in Perpignan
- The ‘Museum of Aviation’ in ‘mas Palegry’
- The ‘Museum of the dool Bella’ which held an important place amongst the world’s toy manufacturers, being very important for the region’s economy.
The Museum of Roman Art :
- The ‘Museum of Roman Art’ in Saint-Andre and its church, which belongs to an abbey
- The ‘Centre for Roman Sculpture’ in Cabestany, with mould reproductions which retrace
the region’s Roman Art history.
The Museum of Baroc Art :
- The ‘Museum Church St.-Andre’ in Rivesaltes
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Ovens and solar power station |
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With its climate and with almost 300 sunny days per year, the region is the cradle for regenerated and solar energies.
- The ‘Solar Furnace in Mont-Ludovic’
built in 1949 and improved in 1980
- The ‘Solar Furnace in "Odeillo"
together with the one in Tachkents (Uzbekistan), is the largest in the world
- The Towered solar furnace in Themis.
Built in 1983, this was the first furnace which produced this type of electricity in the world.
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Megalith |
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Prehistoric megalithic vestiges, they were spread throughout the Oriental Pyrenees. Those curious can discover them by taking walks and going camping.
- The ‘Balma de Na Christina’ megalith :
one of the most beautiful in the Oriental Pyrenees dates back for several millennia before Christ.
- The ‘Casefabre’ megalith :
buried in Aspres, as well as remains from ‘via Domitia’, a Roman commercial street
- The ‘Pelluns’ megalith
- The ‘Cova de L’Alarb’ megalith :
not far away from the Valmy castle
- The ‘Moli del vent’ megalith in Belesta
- The ‘Puyvalador’ menhir-statue, dating from more than 4,000 years BC.
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Lakes and leisures |
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- The ‘Bouillouses Lakes’ :
Site set up by the British at an altitude of 2016 m. A part of its arabesques are set up to be baths. Children find the joy they seek in the park, where one can spend his free time, while even doing ‘walks’ with a dog-sleigh. As in the case of Lake Matemale, one can practise sailing and go trout fishing. In the surroundings, in the vast Matte Forest, with its countless paths, one can go for walks, or go horseback riding, cross-country skiing or racket skiing. From the parking lot in Lac des Bouillouses, the athletes can climb for five hours the ‘Pic Pam’ course at an altitude of 2470 m., or go on walks (for almost two hours) in order to uncover ‘l’Etang Long’, ‘l’Etang Negre’ and ‘l’Etang de la Pradeille’.
- The ‘Matemale Lake’ :
One can practise sailing or simply go trout fishing. Its vast forest and many paths are the ideal place for walks, horseback riding, cross-country skiing or racket skiing. This will satisfy the athletes, the people who enjoy nature walks and families.
- The ‘Villeneuve-de-la-Raho Lake’ :
In the south of Perpignan there is a small and delightful artificial lake used for agricultural irrigations and also used in case of emergencies by planes especially equipped with water tanks, belonging to the Civil Security. It is also a hunting and fishing reservation, with a small beach set up for baths (restaurants on the beach, refreshments’ bars). There are also the many people who take walks and the athletes who go on a tour of the lake, and one can also meet people who practise sailing, jogging or fishing. Next door, there is a small camping site and a place especially set up for barbeques in the forest. In addition to these, there is also a nautical base where people can go sailing or kayaking. Close by there is an ecological reserve which spreads across many hectares, being a passage way for migrating birds. Access is denied to the public with the purpose of protecting the animal world.
- The ‘Pond in Canet-Saint-Nazaire’ :
It is a lagoon and a natural site, classified with having more than 200 species of birds, and a protected fauna and flora. It is a colourful place, with its reconstruction of a traditional fishermen village. Educational visits are also being organised. Straight in front there are wide beaches which stretch between the Canet spas in Roussillon and the Saint-Cyprien spas, making it an ideal spot for family walks. Athletes can enjoy a healthy camping trip.
- ‘Etang de Leucate’ :
It is a salt-water lake separated from the sea by a sand bank and which is supplied by small streams that run close-by. It is a place where the fauna and flora are protected. There are oyster parks and in the background the wind driven installations in the Salses park which are right in front of Canigou. The windy area and the shallow and almost 4 km long pond represent the joy of athletes who practise sailing and kite-surfing. It attracts a lot of enthusiasts, who travel long distances to get here.
- ‘Etang de Camporells’ :
Capcir, on principle accessible on foot, on horseback or with the use of VTT with the purpose of maintaining its authenticity. It is provided with shelters and public toilets (it is only a detail).
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Castles and Walls |
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The region, a Mediterranean crossroads, turns its castles and fortresses into privileged witnesses of the Middle Ages’ frontier areas. Vauban, a military engineer under the rule of Louis the 14th, built and entirely restored many fortresses.
- Chateaux de Castel (new important castle) :
It was built in 993 in the centre of Aspres. Occupied by the viscounts of Castelnou, almost independent during the feudalistic period, the castle is then conquered by King Majorque in the year 1286 and then restored in 1300. François de Bianya was named a Castilian by King Majorque in 1345, and then it belonged to the Llupia family towards the 1560’s. Following this, the castle passed through the hands of the governor of Roussillon and was nationalised during the Revolution. The castle towers over a small picturesque medieval village which, together with a small enclosure, forms a true jewel, hidden amidst the vegetation and hills.
- ‘Chateau d’Arsa in Corbieres de Sournia :
The first mentions were written around the year 1142. Today, all that is left are a few ruins. – ‘Chateau de Collioure: Built on top of an old Roman site, it was sieged by the Visigoths. Towards the year 1242 it was rebuilt and it became the summer residence of the Majorque kings in 1276. In 1244 it is passed into the hands of King Aragon.
- The ‘Fort sainte Elme’ :
was built during the 16th century by ‘Charles Quint’. Vauban then modified its space around the year 1668. It was conquered by the Spanish in 1793 and then it was transformed into a prison in 1939. In 1942 the Germans take over the fortress.
- ‘Chateau d’Evol’ :
In the Middle Ages, Evol used to be a village which produced slate. The castle built in 1162 was vassal to King Aragon, then to count Foix in 1209. During the battle form Muret at "Bernard d'Alione" who let it to Guillaume de So. In 1344 falls into the hand of Count de Foix after the king of d'Aragon seized it, it finally went to " Bastide d'Evol" vers le 15eme siècle
- ‘Château des Fenouillet’ :
It shows up in manuscripts dating back to 1021. The residence of the Fenouillet viscounts, it passes into the hands of King Aragon around 1192. Viscount Fenouillet, supporter of the Cathares during the crusade from Albi, sells his lands suppressed by count Roussillon and then does not manage to get them back, passing them forever to the kingdom of France in 1258. Once a fortress of crucial frontier importance between France and Aragon, today all that is left of it are ruins.
- ‘Chateau Nyer’ in the Olette canton :
Built during the 11th century, it belonged to the Nyers family. At the end of the 15th century it was rebuilt by the Banyuls family and has nothing in common with the origins of the castle.
- ‘Palais des Rois de Majorque’ :
in Perpignan (Palace considered a historical monument) In 1262, Jacques I, the conquering King Aragon divided it between his two sons To Pierre Aragon, Catalonia and Valencia
And to Jacques II the kingdom of Majorque (Balear Isles), the Roussillon domains, Cerdagne and Montpellier.
Since then, the latter had a residence in his western capital, so he gave orders to build the ‘Palais des Rois de Majorque’ in the Roussillon plain in a gothic military style and finally settled down in Perpignan in 1276. The great works last for almost 30 years. The palace is made up of the Reine and Croix chapels. In those days, Perpignan is going through its golden era. Constructions were rapidly being made, and the harbour commerce in Collioure and the industry were booming.
Then it passes under the rule of Aragon in 1344, after long internecine frontier wars.
A few years later, the region is devastated by the plague.
In 1408, Pope ‘Benoit the 13th’ makes it his residence.
In 1475, Louis the 6th constructed a fortress around the palace.
Consequently, the walls were consolidated during the 15th and 17th centuries (especially by Philippe II). Vauban then built another row of defence walls in the year 1676.
- ‘Chateau de Salses’ :
The Catholic kings Ferdinand II d’Aragon and Isabelle de Castille give orders for its construction starting with 1497, its location making it a strategic frontier spot and a passage way between Marais and the hills. Today, the Salses Castle is an example of remarkable military art.
In 1407 there are new fortification being built for the king Ferdinand d’Aragon. In 1503 the castle is under siege by the King of France, but only in 1693 does the French kingdom make it its own . The Spaniards take it back after a short while, but after the loss of Perpignan they surrender it again to the French Kingdom. After the Pyrenee Treaty in 1659, the Salses castle is no longer considered a strategic point and is turned into a prison. Vauban restores it after 1601.
- ‘Chateau de Pujol’ close to Argeles :
Probably built during the 11th century by the count Roussillon, it is surrendered to count Taxo in 1145. King Aragon then offers it to the Fonfroide abbey. In the 20th century the castle is redeemed by the Argeles commune.
- ‘Fort Lagarde’ in Prats-de- Molla-la-Preste :
The fortress, which towered high above the city, becomes, after the Pyrenees Treaty, a frontier spot, allowing for the surveillance of the tall Vallespir. It was restored by Vauban.
- ‘Fort de Bellegarde’ in Perthus :
At the beginning it was a simple 13th century tower built by the Majorque king for the purpose of overseeing the Perthus gorge, but in the 14th century it passes into the hands of the king of Aragon and becomes a tax paying area. In order to consolidate the frontier zone, Vauban restores the fortress between 1667 and 1675 and will finish it in 1679 through the construction of a citadel, as it is known today. It becomes known, sadly, in 1939 as a burial ground of the Spanish republicans who fled the French dictatorship.
- ‘Fort Liberia’ :
Built by Vauban starting with 1681, it dominates Villefranche. It was fortified during Napoleon’s rule around the year 1850.
- The ramparts in ‘Villefranche-de-Conflent’ :
Conflent, the city of pink marble, is found in the middle of a fortified space refurbished by Vauban. It was founded in 1091. Starting with 1092 its commercial activities made it the capital of Conflent. Under the reign of Louis the 16th, two main gates were built, ‘Porte d’Espagne’ and ‘Porte de France’ later restored by Vauban.
- The ‘Mont-Ludovic’ City :
Important location, part of the UNESCO patrimony and fortified city found at the highest altitude in France, meaning 1,600 m. It was built by Vauban at the request of King Louis the 14th, following the Pyrenees Treaty.
- The ‘Valmy Castle’ in Argeles-sur-mer :
In the superb set of the Vermeille coast, this modern castle was built in 1888. Today, it is a win-growing family domain. During the beautiful days one can watch teaching shows of the great hawk tamers, on a musical background.
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Religious monuments |
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Roman art :
- The ‘Saint-Martin-du-Canigou’ Abbey
- The ‘Vernet-les-Bains’: Benedictin monastery of Roman art, built on the side of a mountain, at the foothills of Canigou. Built around the year 1009, it was partially destroyed and rebuilt at the beginning of the century.
- The ‘Saint-Michel-de-Cuxa’ Abbey: Found up-river on the Tet Valley and founded around 840’s, it was destroyed by a water flood and transferred to Cuxa, where a small church already existed. After this, it was enlarged and restored with even more luxury. Today, it represents an undisputed pre-roman patrimony and a walking place from Prades.
- The ‘Saint-Genis-des-Fontaines’ Abbey: Old Benedictine monastery known for its sculpted lintel dating from around 1019 and considered to be one of the oldest regional Roman sculptures.
- The ‘Corneilla-de-Conflent’ Church with its magnificent sculpted gate
- The ‘Villefranche-de-Conflent’ Church, situated inside a fortified space
- The ‘Marcevol Monastery ‘: the 12th century Marcevol Roman Monastery shall be restored. From the Vinça Lake, the old pilgrimage road offers an ideal walking place
- The ‘Serrabona Monastery’: It is a Roman art jewel in the Catalonian region. In order to get there, the trip is a true feast for the eye. A Roman art masterpiece, famous for its strange tribune with bizarre Villefranche marble drainage, hidden in the middle of a vegetation corner. The monastery, open towards a small cliff, surprises through its view.
- The ‘Santa Maria de Vilar Monastery’: At Villelongue-dels-Monts, the natural environment for this monastery was built in the 12th century by the Cistercian monks; it passed into private property after the Revolution, and now it no longer belongs to the clergy.
- The ‘Elne Monastery and Cathedral’: Old Episcopal headquarters of Roman and then gothic construction.
- The ‘del Camp Monastery’
- La Passa with its Roman church and its gothic monastery
- The ‘St-Martin-de-Fenollar Chapel’ : A treasure of Roman Catalonian paintings from the 12th century
The Baroque era:
This era appears in Catalonia during the 16th century.
- ‘The St-Julien Church’ in Vinça: There is where the ‘Sculpted and Painted Transfiguration Board’ is found
- ‘The St-Marie Church’ in Baixas
- ‘The St-Andre Church’ in Rivesaltes
- ‘The St-Etienne Church’ in Illes-sur-Tech
- ‘The St-Juste Churhc’ and ‘Sainte-Ruffine Church’ in Prats-de-Mollot
- ‘The Notre-Dame Church’ in Espira de-Conflant
- ‘The Notre-Dame-des-Anges Church’ in Collioure: ‘The Notre-Dame-des-Anges’ gothic church dates from the 18th century. It was built by Vauban and put to rest on a beautiful bell-tower which used to be an old medieval lighthouse, which later became a prison and then again a lighthouse.
- ‘The Notre-Dame-del-Prat Church’ in Argeles-sur-mer
- ‘The St-Pierre Church’ in Prades built in the 9th century
- ‘The Notre-Dame Convent’ in Font-Romeu where one can see the Virgin Mary sculpted by Sunyer
- ‘The St-Paul de Fenouillet Church’ branded as a historical monument, with its 17th century bell-tower
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