EuroVelo 8 Argelès / Le Boulou (Development 2024)
Elisabeth Coste
ARGELES SUR MER

EuroVelo 8 Argelès / Le Boulou (Development 2024)

Fauna
Flora
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A beautiful variety of landscapes: From the seaside to Vallespir, passing through the foothills of the Albères.
The EuroVelo 8 connects Athens to Cadiz. We invite you to explore the route that crosses the Pyrénées-Méditerranée region between Argelès-sur-Mer and Le Boulou. This route, starting by the sea, takes you through Argelès, a lively seaside resort, and into the peaceful countryside, passing through vineyards at the foothills and the village of Saint-Genis-des-Fontaines, renowned for its famous lintel displayed on the church facade. You might also consider visiting the cloister. In Le Boulou, you can explore the Water and Mediterranean House.

3 points of interest

  • 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.
     
  • 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.
  • Cultural heritage

    The Lintel of Saint-Genis-des-Fontaines

    Known worldwide, the lintel of Saint-Genis is the first dated Romanesque sculpture in stone (1019-1020). Its date of creation is known thanks to the Latin inscription engraved on it. In the center, we see Christ within a mandorla, supported by two archangels and framed by two groups of three figures, standing under arcades. This work was created specifically for the Abbey of Saint-Genis. It is made of white Carrara marble.

Description

  1. Follow the bike path along the D81 on the left, heading towards Argelès. Cross the blue bridge over the Riberette and pass by the Le Littoral campsite. At the Luna Park roundabout, continue straight on the Route du Littoral.  
  2. At the next roundabout, turn left onto Boulevard de la Méditerranée, staying on the bike path.
  3. At the end of the boulevard, continue straight ahead on a gravel path, between two buildings, and continue to the seaside promenade. Turn left onto the promenade that runs along the beach. After 500 meters, you will reach the greened promenade.
  4. //! \\ This area is shared with pedestrians and is very busy in the summer season. //! \\  After the parking lot of the funfair (on the right), turn right onto Avenue des Pins. At the Argelès-sur-Mer Tourist Office roundabout, turn left onto Avenue des Platanes. Then, at the Arrivée roundabout, take the first exit, right, and follow the large Avenue Charles de Gaulle until you reach the gas station, where you must turn right onto Route de la Mer.  
  5. At the sports complex roundabout, turn right onto Avenue Molière.  At the next roundabout, take the third exit, Rue des Trabucaires. The bike path runs along the street on the right. At the roundabout, cross the road to the opposite sidewalk to follow the path and take the second exit onto Rue du 14 Juillet. Continue straight. You'll cross a ford. Immediately after, turn right. The bike path runs along a one-way street on the left and the Massane on the right. Pass under the bridge and continue under the pines. The path turns into a dirt road at this point.  //! \\ Shared section with pedestrians. //! \\  Cross the small footbridge at the end of the parking lot and continue straight to the Route de Sorède. When you reach it, turn left, then the first right onto Rue du Moulin Mars, continue on Rue des Micocouliers, and then onto Chemin du Roua, which passes under the D914. You will pass in front of the Auberge du Roua. Continue, then turn right, cross the river, and join the Route de Sorède, where you will head left.  
  6. Turn onto the first street on the right, which meanders and leads to Chemin des Vignes.  
  7. Turn right and arrive at Chemin de la Carrerasse. Turn right, then take the first left. Continue on the path that cuts across Chemin de la Pave.  
  8. At the river, cross and head left on Rue des Coscolledes. Continue, then cross the river again and reach Chemin de Saint-André. Caution, this area has residences and possibly traffic. Head left.  
  9. After the houses, take the second street on the right, then at the end of the street, turn left and take the first right after a sharp bend. Cross the river, "Tassio," on a ford.  
  10. Go up the road and cross the Route de Palau (D11). Head right (speed bump for traffic).  
  11. Turn left to reach Chemin de la Petite Gabarre, go left.
  12.   Then turn right to reach Chemin de la Gavarra Baixa. *Connection for the Albères Loop - "Yesterday and Today's Professions" from this point.  
  13. After the washing station, turn right and continue straight. After crossing a ford, cross Avenue des Baléares (Be very careful, cars come quickly, and visibility is poor!). Continue straight, crossing a second ford.
  14.   Continue straight and descend Rue Clemenceau (Stay on the right) to admire the lintel and, if desired, visit the cloister. Then return to the top of the street to rejoin the EV8 and head to Rue Pasteur.
  15.  Continue straight, and at the roundabout, take the second exit onto Avenue des 2 Catalognes, alongside a small canal. Then, head uphill towards Villelongue-dels-Monts on the road of the same name. The EV8 path resumes on the right just before reaching the first houses of Villelongue-dels-Monts, and it continues to Montesquieu.  
  16. A sign marks the End of the Developed Section, but you can continue the route to Le Boulou.  
  • Departure : Argelès-sur-mer
  • Arrival : Le Boulou
  • Towns crossed : ARGELES SUR MER, ST ANDRE, SOREDE, LAROQUE DES ALBERES, ST GENIS DES FONTAINES, VILLELONGUE DELS MONTS, and MONTESQUIEU DES ALBERES

Altimetric profile

Recommandations

Obey traffic rules. The route is often shared. Ensure proper hydration. Wearing a helmet is mandatory for children and strongly recommended for adults.

Transport

1€ Busses

Access and parking

D81