Eurovélo 8 (2020) from Sorède to Argelès-sur-Mer
Elisabeth Coste
MONTESQUIEU DES ALBERES

Eurovélo 8 (2020) from Sorède to Argelès-sur-Mer

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A varied route through fields and vineyards connecting Sorede, beautiful village of  the Albera, to the seaside.
Thanks to this section of Eurovélo 8, you will travel through nature through fields and vineyards to reach the seaside resort of Argelès, which is always very lively. As a bonus, the big blue.

2 points of interest

  • Stephane Ferrer
    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.
  • Mémorial du camp d’Argelès
    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.
     

Description

  1. Departure from the place called Les Trompettes hautes located in the lower part of Montesquieu.
  2. At the roundabout, turn right then left onto Cami des Trompettes.
  3. At Mas Santraille, cross the D61, continue straight on traverse du Mas Santraille then rue de la Plansounade and Cami del Coscobell.
  4. At Cami de Matemale, the part of the EV8 (in blue dotted lines on the map) is not managed by the community of communes.
  5. Follow the EV8 route which continues straight ahead across fields (or possibility to go down to the left in the direction of the commune of Saint-Genis-des-Fontaines to go and visit the abbey and its famous lintel).
  6. Turn to the right following the markings on the ground.
  7. Continue straight ahead on the tarred track. Here, maintenance area for bicycles.
  8. At the exit of the tarred track, turn to the left then at the junction to the right, ford crossing. Cross the D50, second ford crossing.Continue until Sorède.
  9. Turn left on the small traverse to rejoin a few meters further down the tarred EV8 track.
  10. Cross the D11, pass by the Sorède multisport hall, ford crossing a little further, follow the EV8 signs.
  11. Turn left and continue on the D2, then a few meters further turn right towards Auberge du Roua following the small road that crosses the river “la Massana”. Continue to the left on chemin du Roua. After Auberge du Roua, pass under the bridge and continue on chemin du Roua then to the left rue des Micocouliers. Go straight ahead on rue du Moulin Mars.
  12. Turn left then a few meters further to the right before the fire station, avenue du 11 Novembre 1918. Follow along the river and turn left on avenue du 14 Juillet. Continue straight ahead at the roundabout, rue des Trabucayres.
  13. At the roundabout, go right, avenue Molière. At the roundabout, after the bridge turn right, then continue towards the beach until the arrival roundabout along avenue Général de Gaulle.
  14. At the roundabout, turn left and before the Tourist Office, turn right, avenue des Pins.
  15. On the green promenade, go to the left.
  16. At this point, leave the seafront by turning left, pass between two buildings to reach avenue de la Méditerranée. At the roundabout, go right on route du Littoral up to the pont de la Riberette. Advice: a little further on, venture into the Mas Larrieu Nature Reserve along the banks of the Tech.

 
  • Departure : Tourist Office of Sorède
  • Arrival : Argelès-sur-Mer
  • Towns crossed : MONTESQUIEU DES ALBERES, VILLELONGUE DELS MONTS, ST GENIS DES FONTAINES, LAROQUE DES ALBERES, SOREDE, ST ANDRE, and ARGELES SUR MER

Altimetric profile

Recommandations

Respect the highway code. Drink regularly Please note, the 2.5 hour trip is only given for the outward journey.