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Amélie-les-Bains |
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Here, one can visit ‘The Museum of Arts and Popular Traditions’, ‘The Trabucayres Museum’, these being old bandits of the Catalonian region, and ‘The Postal Museum’, or simply relax in the thermal spa.
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Arles-sur Tech |
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In Vallespir and at the foothills of the massive Canigou, this small village located between ‘Boulou’ and ‘Argeles’ is known for its hot water springs. With its small St-Etienne and St-Sauver churches, it is best known for its 8th century monastery, recognised as being the oldest Benedictine representation in Catalonia. It’s said that this would be the resting place of a Saint’s sarcophagus, a stream of unknown origins (up to 800 l/year), a trick or a natural water condensation phenomenon as some have said? The joke remains cute. Also, one can visit the iron museum, the region exploiting this ore, extracted out of Canogou’s walls since the Roman age.
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Belesta-de-la-Frontière |
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The Belesta village is part of the Latour-de-France canton. Its 13th century castle, fortified by Saint-Louis, houses a prehistory museum, fuelled by the discoveries made inside a tomb dating 6500 years ago. For its history, the people of this village are called ‘Bellestrucs’.
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Bolquère |
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It is a small village known because it has the tallest train-station in France, with an ecological ‘small yellow train’, put in function in 1906 and which is still running.
It includes the ski resort in ‘Cambre d’Aze’ which in turn includes Eyne, Saint-Pierre-del-Forcats.
Today it is known for the ‘Pyrenees 2000’. It is also the starting point for walks, out of which the trip on the old ‘Transhumance Paths’ in the ‘Carlit’ and ‘Peric’ direction is worth mentioning.
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Caze de pêne |
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It is a village dominated by the ‘Notre-Dame-de- Pene Cloister’ which 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 towe 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.
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Ceret |
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Sang by Trenet, this is typical village of this region. Its small church ‘Saint Pierre’ has a bell of Roman art dating from the 12th century, and a gothic gate from the 16th century. Its square and alleys are framed by sycamore trees.
In the Middle Ages one could have reached the city after going through ‘Pont du Diable’ which passes over Tech and which we can see when exiting the city.
Today it is known for its delicious cherries and the Museum of Contemporary Art which houses the works of the great masters who used to live in the region, artists such a Picasso, Gris, Braque, Soutine, Chagall, Matisse, Kremegne, and even moreso Miro, Tapies and Viallat.
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Dorres |
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It is a village with a medieval atmosphere, which houses the strange black virgin from ‘Notre Dame de Belloch’.
The village is known for its sulphurous outdoor hot water springs.
After the village of Dorres, after a three hour horseback ride, the people who enjoy walks can visit the ‘Notre Dame de Belloch’ chapel, which was an important medieval pilgrimage place.
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Elne |
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The Elne bishopric was founded in the year 550 at the request of the Pope.
The Visigoths who converted to Catholicism beginning with the 3rd century have settled here.
But this city in the south of France is best known for having a place of Roman art.
It has a church and a monastery of great beauty.
This was the ecclesiastic capital of Roussilon until 1302. After this date, the bishopric was transferred to Perpignan.
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Eus |
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It is a village close to Prage, and it is part of the UNESCO world patrimony. Built in the shape of a pyramid in order to insure its defence, we find at its top the Saint-Vincent church, dating from the 18th century. Along the steep roads, there are countless craftsmen.
The village receives every year the ‘Les Nits de Canco i de Musica’ international festival, put together by the ‘Boris Vian’ foundation. One can see and re-see concerts, shows and expositions of the young contemporary art creators and singers.
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Eyne |
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Vestiges dating from the neolithic and an old Roman road have been discovered here, but it is mostly known by the botanists around the world because of its natural reservation.
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Font-Romeu-Odeillo-Via |
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This commune is found in Cerdagne in the middle of the Oriental Pyrenees Natural Park, where spectacular blue and green landscapes can be seen.
This is close to the ski slopes. This is where the Olimpic City (Cité Olympique) can be found, founded with the purpose of training French athletes for the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico, today occupied by ‘CNEA’ (National Centre for Altitude Training), as well as by the Climatic and Sportive high-school (Lycée Climatique et Sportif) which trains today’s young athletes.
The commune was chosen also because of its sunny location, to have installed in it the great ‘Odeillo solar furnace’ put in function in 1970. As a short history, it is made up of 9,500 mirrors of 45 cm² each, making it the largest in the world together with the one in Uzbekistan.
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Formiguère |
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In Capcir, in the middle of the Oriental Pyrenees’ Natural Park, this small winter resort-village located at an altitude of 1500 m., has a small Roman church from the 12th-13th centuries.
One can take walks along the commercial streets or around the lake.
It is also a starting point for walks in the direction of the Matte forest, or of the ‘lac de Camporells’, in the middle of a cirque at an altitude of 2255 m. ‘Pic Peric’ towers the lunar setting at 2800 m.
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Ille-sur-têt |
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Crossed by the river Tet which bears its name, it is especially known because of its surprising geological formations and ‘fairy-tale alleys’ which are four million years old.
In the village, the old senior citizens’ home and the hospital dating from the 12th and 13th centuries houses today the Sacred Art centre of Ille-sur-Tet, with its thematic expositions from the religious patrimony in Roussillon. One can also visit the church.
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La Roque des Alberes |
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It is a small village at the Spanish frontier, where the vestiges of a tower and a castle rise, whose first written evidence of existence date from 1100.
Its pine, fir and beech trees are the starting point for many nature trails.
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Les Angles |
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In Capcir, the Angles commune with a surface of 4320 ha is a village – ski resort, bordered by the ‘Matemale Lake’.
The first written mentions about Angles date back from approximately 908. One can find here a small Roman church, presently in ruins.
" Lac des Bouillouses"
It is a place in Angles, situated at an altitude of almost 2016 m., with a part of the high banks set up for baths. Children enjoy here the amusement park and walks with dog-slides. As in Lac Matemale, one can practise sailing and trout fishing. Surrounding it, the vast Matte forest and the countless paths are the ideal place for walks, horseback riding, cross-country skiing or racket skiing. From the parking lot of the Bouillouses Lake, people who want to practise sports can try on the five hour climb of ‘Pic Pam’ at an altitude of 2470 m., or a walk of almost two hours in the gradual discovery of the ‘Long Pond’, the ‘Black Pond’ and the ‘Pradeille Pond’.
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Marcevol |
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Hameau du Conflent, whose small ruined church, shows up in texts since 1088.
‘Prieure Roman de Marcevol’ dates from the 12th century and was later restored. From the Vinça Lake, the old pilgrimage route offers a lovely walking path.
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Mont Louis |
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With its landscape in ‘Cambre d’Aze’ and ‘Puigmal’, this location, as a part of the wordly humanitarian patrimony, is the highest fortified city in France, situated at an altitude of 600 m. It has 11 fortifications built by Vauban at the request of Louis the 14th following the Pyrenees Treaty.
It is home to a small 17th century church and a world premiere entitled ‘le four solaire de Mont-Ludovic’, (a world premiere) beginning with 1949 and improved in 1980. Next to it there is the ‘Matemale artificial lake’, which supplies the hydraulic stations, where one can sail or simply fish for trout.
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.
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Opoul perillos |
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It is a commune of almost 5000 ha in the middle of the gariga covered terrain, of the vines and of the almost lunar spreads made up from torn calcareous outcrops. In this hostile environment to man, are the ruins of the Opoul and Perillos Castle, small abandoned village whose form seems almost unreal in the midst of the field covered in ruins and weeds.
The lack of water, the harshness of life and the animals decimated by the hoof-and-mouth disease have all contributed to this scene.
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Perpignan |
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City with 116,000 citizens, next to the Spanish border, spread between land and sea, which is becoming more and more cosmopolitan and touristic. A growing city, it houses countless cultural events such as ‘The visa for image’ renound worldwide, the Thursdays in Perpignan which animate the afternoons, but also the ‘Estivals’, the ‘Jazzebre’ festival and many more.
The city is spread around the ‘Majorcan Kings’Palace’, 2 Archers Str. Today it is home to numerous cultural events such as singing, concerts, and shows such as the Estivals.
Velolib or ‘BIP en ville’ allows the crossing through Perpignan without pollution. We can take advantage also of the free commutes in order to take the tour, still, the old Perpignan can be crossed on foot from one end to the other, the quaint Saint Jacques neighbourhood where a pleasant and very colourful gypsy community has gathered; there is also the St. Jacques church which begins the ritualistic ‘Sanch’ procession, and the more bourgeois ‘Saint Jean’ neighbourhood. The Verdun square is home to ‘Castillet’ which was the main gate of the town of Perpignan, its construction started in 1368 being made of marble bricks and baixas. Castillet was transformed into a state prison beginning with the 17th century. A second gate, the Notre Dame gate, was built under the reign of Louis the 11th.
Today, it houses the ‘Pairal House’ (The Catalonian Museum of Popular Art and Traditions).
In front of it there is the ‘Basse’ river with ‘Sadi Carnot’ banks suitable for walks, sunny terraces of bistros. The tall banks are a place destined for jogging. Close by, delightful alleys lead to the walking area of the Gambetta Square, which houses the reconstruction of a medieval square during the Christmas holidays.
In front of the fountain there is the Saint Jean-Paul Gothic Cathedral built in 1324 with its wrought iron bell. Next to it there is the magnificent ‘Campo-Santo’ monastery and its cemetery, which today has nocturnal projections of photographic documentaries of ‘Visa for image’ known worldwide. Close to the ‘Funerary’ chapel, the cemetery -monatary with its four gothic archways (Amiral Ribeil Str.) was built at the end of the 14th century by the mecenic noblemen. It will then become a capitulary hall of the Elne capitol, and then will be abandoned during the French Revolution only to be restored later.
‘Place de la Loge’ (whose first box dates back to 1397) represents an agreeable period where, from the coffee-shops’ terraces one can see its old vane, representative of the Perpignan sea commerce and especially of the suspended rainwater pipes. Further ahead, there is the City Hall built in the 18th century, remarkable because of its wrought iron grids and its Venus.
The small Notre Dame Church in Real is a curiosity, because it witnessed a page of history in the moment of the Western Schism which divided Europe.
The Pope Benoit the 13th of Avignon seeked refuge in the Majorcan Kings’ Palace and called for a synod inside this church.
‘Couvent des Minimes’ church and Dominican monastery is found on the ‘Francois Rabelais’ Str., today being home to a wide range of events such as expositions.
Recently refurbished, ‘Place de la Republique’ houses, every morning, with the exception of Mondays, a small market of handicraft and a ‘firsting market’ (fresh produce from the region).
‘Place de Catalogne’, also refurbished, allows access to FNAC and a gallery of small businesses.
Very different, colourful and inconsistent, the market of the ‘Saint Jacques’ neighbourhood is full on Sundays. One can find everything and anything in it. This neighbourhood is a great social mixture.
Along the Maillol alleys a second-hand market settles on Saturdays.
After ‘Pont Jauffre’ and in front of ‘Palais des Expositions’ in Perpignan, a big square is the joy of Sunday travelling merchants.
The heart of Perpignan is found in the ‘Promenade des Platanes’. Along the grassy alleys one can see a small ‘Flower Market’, with books or antiques next to the playfulness of the new ‘Contemporary basin’s’ light and water spectacle.
Further ahead we get to the ‘Palace of Congress’ (Palais des Congres). From there, a labyrinth of tiny passage ways can make you discover Venus d’Aristide Maillois’, and the pleasure to rest under the shade of the sycamore trees of considerable hight.
This park is a blessing for those who wish to escape the city life, but also a delight for younger people with its old circus, game area and duck pond.
Close to the ‘Pont Joffre’ we can also find the ‘Sainte-Claire’ monastery (Marshall Joffre avenue), or the ‘Chapelle Notre-Dame des Anges’ (32 Marshall Foch Str.), or the ‘Saint-Jacques’ Church the Miranda gardens (Miranda Str.).
For those who are curious, ‘the Catalonian department of media’ (Grande Bretagne Blvd.) the Catalanite house (11 Bastion Saint Dominique Str.).
Museums :
- The Museum of Natural History (Fontaine Neuve Str.)
- The Joseph Puig Museum of Coins and Medals (Grande Bretagne Blvd.)
- The Hyacinthe Rigaud Museum of Beautiful Arts (de l’Ande Blvd.)
- The Museum of French Algeria (Marshall Foch Str.)
- The Museum of Aviation (Mas Palegry – d’Elne route)
‘Gare Routiere’ in Perpignan re-groups the trains and buses which travel between the county-side, beaches, villages and ski resorts.
The ‘Sanch’ procession in Perpignan and ‘Collioure’ :
For six centuries Catalonian religious processions have taken place: the repentance brothers existed already in certain cities in Spain, as Seville and Valencia. Founded in 1416 by ‘Saint Vincent Ferrier’, the procession begins in the Holy Friday behind the the church in the popular ‘Saint Jacques’ neighbourhood.
Here one can observe the convoy of virgins, Madonnas, relics, paintings and flags representing the passion of the Christ, carried by the repentants who flagellated themselves while wearing a long black tunic and a white hood.
Opening the square, ‘caparutxa’ dresses in red, rings the bell in procession rhythm.
The Collioure procession begins during the evening.
It is indeed a curious event which is well worth a detour, introducing us in the atmosphere of the Middle Ages’ ceremonies.
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Perthus |
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Today a frontier city with Spain, it once was much desired because of its strategic position. Its main commercial street has, as a characteristic, a Spanish coast and a French coast.
Very touristic, it can house, in high season, more than 60,000 visitors, attracted by the small prices of gas, alcohol, cigarettes, perfumes and various souvenirs.
‘Fort de Bellegarde’ was at the beginning just a simple 13th century tower, built by the Majorcan Kings in order to observe Col du Perthus; in the 14th century, it passes into the hands of the Aragon Kings and becomes a passage way in which a tax had to be paid.
In order to consolidate the frontier zone, Vauban restores the fort between 1667 and 1675 and will finish it towards 1678 by building the citadel as we know it today. It becomes known, sadly, in 1939 as a burial ground of the Spanish republicans who fled the French dictatorship.
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Puyvalador |
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Situated between 1750 and 2400 m, Puyvalador, the winter sports resort, with its wild nature amiss the pine trees, vast and massive rocks, and the skiable areas (17 tracks along almost 30 km), will satisfy the athletes and the nature enthusiasts. In the surroundings, during spring time, one can admire beautiful dafodille fields.
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Prats-de-Mollo-la-Preste |
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It is a mountain village situated at an altitude of 735 m., cut in half by the river Tech. The ‘la Preste’ castle, situated a little above 1130 m., dominates the village with its quaint streets. After the Pyrenees Treaty it became a frontier town.
It was known for its squares, its commerce with material, weaving of the Catalonian manufacturers, developed after the arriving of the Majorcan kings at Perpignan.
Prats-de-Mollo is today known for its thermal spa and the natural scenery which is ideal for quietness.
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Salses |
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In Antiquity, because of its natural lake, it used to be a village of fishermen. The archaeological sites have allowed the uncovering of cabin foundations.
Next to Aude and at the base of Corbieres, the lake called ‘de Salses’ or ‘du Barcares’ is today the joy of the surfers and kite surfers.
In 1496, the village and the fortifications were demolished by the French army. Its small church was re-built in 1551, while the Fort de Salses site begins in 1497. The Catholic kings Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella of Castille order its construction, its position becoming a strategic frontier place and a passage between the marshy terrains and the hills.
In 1503, the Castle de Salses is sieged by the King of France, but only in 1636 the French kingdom burgled, the Spanish re-capturing it shortly after, but with the loss of Perpignan, they surrender the fortress once again to the French kingdom. After the Treaty of Pyrenees in 1659, Salses is no longer a strategic point and becomes a prison.
Vauban refurbishes it starting with the year 1601.
Today, the Salses castle is a representation of remarkable military art.
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Targasonne |
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One can see here a small Roman church from the 12th century, and around it the Tower Station in Themis was built in 1983.
One cannot but admire the surrounding nature, emphasized by the presence of chaos made up from large granite blocks with smooth edges, silent witnesses of the passing of glaciers in the Quaternar.
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Tautavel |
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In Corbieres, the village of Tautavel, hidden between the prosperous vine valley and the calcareous cliffs, has got a famous Museum of Prehistory whose prehistoric patrimony is priceless, very near to the ‘Caune de l’Arago’ grotto which was the scene of a remarkable discovery: Henry de Lumley discovered a skull made up from 120 bone fragments belonging to the Tautavel Man dating from approximately 450,000 years ago, making him the oldest European.
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.
‘Tour del Far’ in Tautavel was a watching tower starting with the 10th century, which used to watch over the frontier and the sea-shore. While its climbing remains difficult, it makes up for it by rewarding its brave tourists with its remarkable view point over the Roussillon plain.
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Villefranche-de-Conflant |
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The sector is known for its prehistoric grottos from which the most visited ones are ‘Canalettle’ and ‘Petites Canalettes’.
This city of pink Conflent marble is found in the middle of a fortified space refurbished by Vauban. It was founded in 1091, and 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’.
Today it is a real delight to wander along its streets in which merchants and craftsmen are often times marked with a wrought iron sign representing their specialty or occupation.
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