The path of « la Frigoulette”
CCACVI
CERBERE

The path of « la Frigoulette”

Flora
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Heights of Cerbere between vineyards and seaboard
From the Cerbère harbour to the Spanish border this hike will give you a beautiful view of the coast and a part of Spain

2 points of interest

  • Placette des transbordeuses à Cerbère
    Placette des transbordeuses à Cerbère - Elisabeth coste
    Small patrimony

    La placette des transbordeuses

    This woman, wearing a "couffe" (a traditional headscarf, derived from the word "couffin" meaning basket), is a transbordeuse of oranges. Oranges were the main product imported from Spain to France because of their low production cost. Upon arrival, the oranges had to be transferred from one train car to another due to the difference in rail gauge between Spanish and French tracks. Transbordage (transshipment) was required for all types of goods, and similarly, passengers had to change trains and stop at Cerbère. Even the Amar Circus made a stop in Cerbère, delighting children who were able to see the elephants!

    There were five teams of transbordeuses, each consisting of five women employed by freight forwarders (transitaires). Although the job was physically demanding, it also had its moments of camaraderie, as the women would work together and enjoy some social interaction, escaping the monotony of everyday life.

    However, by 1903, the transbordeuses demanded a 25 sous wage increase because they were working without contracts, facing job insecurity, and being called to work at any hour. They were poorly paid for their hard labor (unloading wagons weighing between 7 and 17 tons) and were compensated with vouchers, which they could only exchange for money on Sundays. Despite promises made by the transitaires, the women received nothing.

    In 1906, Cerbère became the site of France's first women's strike, in the midst of a broader climate of social protests and demands for workers' rights. This historic strike marked a key moment in the fight for better working conditions and pay for women in the labor force.
  • Gilles Athier
    Small patrimony

    Turret of "Le Col des Belitres"

    Turret dating from the Second World War. Constituent element of the Mediterranean fortified front made by German forces in 1942 in response to the landing in North Africa which forces the German forces to occupy the free zone.

Description

From the République carpark, near the tourisme Office, cross the RD 914 and take right Anatole France street.

  1. Down the Anatole France street, turn left and take the Ribéral street or "Dominique Mitjaville" street until the tunnel.
  2. In front of the tunnel, take left and climb towards Jean Barrat street to pass under the railway tracks. At the ending of the tunnel, Take the path which climb  straight on until the old border post .
  3. Along the RD 914 walk on 200 meters and turn right to take the wide forest track (DFCI-AL64) until  Puig dels Frare. This track lead to the foot of Serrat del Fito. At the intersection, continue to the track DFCI-AL 64.
  4. At the branching junction, come down towards the DFCI AL67 and cross a little clearing (Pla de las Vacas). Continue on the track DFCI-AL65 until the  Col of Embarselo et the path of the crest. Then take the small tarred road which lead to the place called “La Solane”.
  5. To shorten the hike, at the junction of the Crest Road, turn right and pass under the tunnel to reach downtown.
  6. Otherwise, at the housing project go down to the dead end Al Soula and follow the  Puig Carroitg street. Crossing the footbridge across the railway tracks with a view of the Hotel “The Belvédère of the green ray”. Head down to the stairs and turn left to reach the statue of the Transborders.
  • Departure : Tourism Office of Cerbère
  • Arrival : Tourism Office of Cerbère
  • Towns crossed : CERBERE

Altimetric profile

Recommandations

You enjoy nature, You like it, take care of it...

Along the hiking trail, rubbish bins are at your disposal.
Every month over tens of thousands of hikers and walkers visit this exceptional site. Please do not litter and use the rubbish bins (glass, plastic, rubbish etc...). Also, please dispose of any litter you might find along the trail.
Help keep this site clean with simple yet essential gestures. Lets give back to nature what nature gave us.

Access and parking

Access by Cerbère (RN 114)