Eurovélo 8 The mediterranean by bike

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Flora

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The mediterranean by bike (section Argelès-sur-Mer/ Le Boulou)

Eurovélo 8 connects Athens to Cadiz. We invite you to discover the route that crosses the Pyrenees-Mediterranean territory between Argelès-sur-Mer and Boulou. 27 kms between cycle track, seafront, crossing of Argelès-sur-Mer and greenway to discover our colorful territory.

2 points of interest

History
The Camp Monolith
The monolith at the camp marks the southern entrance to the Argelès-sur-Mer camp, which was opened in early February 1939 to intern some of the refugees who had fled Spain during "La Retirada." Over 100,000 refugees, including women and children, passed through the camp until summer 1939, all sleeping directly on the sand in makeshift shelters. The camp was reorganized and reopened following the declaration of war in September 1939. After France's defeat in June 1940, the camp became more international, with refugees from Northern and Eastern Europe, including foreign Jews, and the return of Spanish workers. The Vichy government used it as one of the main camps in southern France, interning French nomads there in the autumn of 1940.

People from over fifty nationalities lived together behind the barbed wire at Argelès. These "undesirables" were confined on a beach where living conditions were extremely harsh, with high mortality rates, particularly among infants. In 1941, the Ministry of the Interior transferred most of the internees to the Rivesaltes camp and deported some Spaniards and international brigadiers to camps in Algeria. By June 1942, with only a hospital remaining, the Argelès-sur-Mer camp was converted into a French Youth Work Camp before closing permanently in November. Erected in 1999, this monolith pays tribute to all the refugees who passed through the camp.
Flora
Pine Wood
If you're looking for a place to relax in the shade of maritime pines, this is the perfect spot. You'll also find picnic facilities just a few meters from the beach shopping alleys.

Description

Follow the cycle track along the D81 on the left, towards Argelès. Go over the blue bridge of the Riberette and follow the Le Littoral campsite. At the Luna Park roundabout, continue straight, on the Route du Littoral.
At the next roundabout, turn left towards Boulevard de la Méditerranée, while staying on the cycle path.
At the end of the boulevard, continue straight on a gravel passage, between two buildings and continue until the promenade by the sea. Continue to the left on this promenade which runs along the beach, on the left. At 500 m, you will be on the green promenade. //! \\ The area is shared with pedestrians and it is very busy in the summer season //! \\
After the fairground parking lot (right), turn right onto Avenue des Pins. At the roundabout of the tourist office of Argelès-sur-Mer turn left Avenue des Platanes. Then, at the rond-point de l'Arrivée, take the first exit, on the right, and follow the big Avenue Charles de Gaulle to the petrol station where you have to turn right, Route de la Mer. At the roundabout of the sports complex turn right, Avenue Molière.
At the next roundabout, take the third exit, rue des Trabucaires. Now the cycle path runs along the street on the right. At the roundabout cross the road towards the sidewalk opposite to follow the track and take the second exit, rue du 14 Juillet. Keep going straight. You cross a ford. Immediately after, turn right. The cycle track runs along a one-way street on the left and the Massane on the right. Go under the bridge and continue under the pines. The track becomes at this level a dirt road. //! \\ Section shared with pedestrians. //! \\
Cross the ford on your right to join the rue des Merles, climb the hill (note the beautiful oratory at the top of the hill) and continue again, until the end of the rue des Colibris. Go around the Pôle Emploi building, then turn right at impasse des Sarcelles, and again right to join Avenue de Montgat. At the stop sign, opposite the pharmacy, turn left to reach the roundabout and go around it on the right. Leave two exits and continue on the cycle path, chemin des Brunesses. The path runs along the railway on the left then passes under a bridge. Then you arrive at the Saint-André roundabout. Stay on the cycle path which continues on your right, below the road until the end of the route.
At the Saint Genis roundabout, turn right so as not to arrive on the d618. Continue through the vineyards and fields. Attention, do not take the ramps to join the departmental.
At the end of this road, join the D900 and the end of the route

Departure : Argelès-sur-Mer
Arrival : Le Boulou
Towns crossed : ARGELES SUR MER, ST ANDRE, PALAU DEL VIDRE, LAROQUE DES ALBERES, ST GENIS DES FONTAINES, VILLELONGUE DELS MONTS, and MONTESQUIEU DES ALBERES

Altimetric profile

Recommandations

Please note that only a few parts of this route take dedicated cycle paths. For the rest, be vigilant and be sure to respect the highway code. Have a good trip on our territory.

Access and parking

From Argelès, take the D81 towards Saint-Cyprien. Leave it on the right after the campsite Le Littoral and the blue bridge which crosses the Riberette. Go on the cycle path during 50m and park the car near the bridge.