A Fun Family Adventure in the Albères
Vallée des tortues
Vallée des tortues - OTI Pyrénées-Méditerranée
ARGELES SUR MER

A Fun Family Adventure in the Albères

Flora
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This loop, starting from Argelès, takes you to the villages nestled at the foot of the Albera range. A playful discovery awaits, thanks to the Isalia game created by the Intercommunal Tourist Office. The discovery farm in Saint-André and the Valley of Turtles in Sorède will delight both young and old alike.
A fun-filled getaway that takes place largely on bike-friendly paths.

6 points of interest

  • Ferme de découverte
    Ferme de découverte - Ferme découverte
    Fauna

    Ferme de découverte de Saint-André

    A veritable conservatory, the “Discovery Farm” contributes to the knowledge of species and biodiversity, as well as to the safeguarding of certain endangered species. An astonishing variety of sheep from the five continents can be observed. Some 300 animals are to be discovered on 3 hectares through fun and educational routes.
  • Façade de la maison de l'art roman de Saint André
    Façade de la maison de l'art roman de Saint André - mairie de Saint André
    History

    Maison de l’art roman de Saint André

    This interpretation center is dedicated to the old Romanesque abbey of Saint-André (current parish church). It allows the discovery of Romanesque art in a fun and interactive way. You can admire copies of medieval sculptures preserved on the site or scattered in other places in the department. The permanent exhibition presents the history and pre-Romanesque and Romanesque architecture of the former Benedictine abbey of Saint-André. It places them in their context in Catalonia
  • Eglise de Saint-André
    Eglise de Saint-André - mairie de Saint André
    Cultural heritage

    Church of Saint André

    Romanesque church classified as a historic monument, it was the church abbey of a Benedictine monastery in medieval times. Built between 10th and 12th centuries, it houses magnificent marble sculptures from the 11th and 12th centuries, notably a lintel in sculpted marble from the 11th century - akin to that of St Genis des Fontaines - which marks the 1st Romanesque sculpture in Roussillon! Guided tours offered in season by La Maison d'art roman”,
  • Chapelle de Tanya
    Chapelle de Tanya - OT Laroque
    Cultural heritage

    Chapelle de Tanya

    This hermitage was the first initial church in the village. It appeared in history in 1371 under the name ecclesia Sancte Marie de Tanyano. At that time, hermits were sedentary and isolated monks. From the 17th century, the function of the hermit changed. Being a member of the Church, the hermit will become a counselor and a confidant for the local population. He no longer has the vocation of being isolated, but lives in the Catalan society of his time; he has an important role just like the parish priest. The chapel was inhabited until the French Revolution. Today it still retains various altarpieces, including that of the virgin, gilded from 1774 to 1778.

  • 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.
  • Cloître de Saint Genis et clochers
    Cloître de Saint Genis et clochers - Frédéric Hédelin
    Cultural heritage

    Cloister of Saint-Genis-des-Fontaines

    The cloister of Saint Genis des Fontaines was built in the 13th century. Its specificity is characterized by the polychromy of its marbles: the white of Céret, the pink of Villefranche de Conflent and the black of Baixais. With the old theme of flora and fauna, the art of Saint Genis combines new ones drawn from the local environment (turtle, frog ...). See also the famous lintel in white marble in front of the church. It is the first Romanesque sculpture dated in stone (1019-1020). The date of realization is indicated in the two lines in Latin which appear there. The Saint Michel church is to be discovered during the visit with its interior treasures. Indeed, it houses altarpieces ranging from the XVIth to the XIXth century, a pre-Romanesque font and the Carolingian altar table of the primitive church. 
    Monthly exhibitions are organized at the "Galerie des deux clochers" (upper ambulatory above the Cloister).

Description

  1. Starting point:Head left onto Avenue des Platanes, then turn right at the Arrival roundabout onto Avenue Charles de Gaulle. Take the right onto Route de la Mer, near the gas station.
  2. Turn right onto Avenue Molière, continue straight until the roundabout, where you’ll take the third exit onto Rue des Trabucayres. At the next roundabout, take the second exit onto Rue du 14 Juillet, then take the first right, which runs along the river "La Massana."
  3. Turn left at the ford to reach Rue des Merles, then continue onto Rue des Colibris. Bypass the bank through Impasse des Sarcelles and turn left onto the bike path, which leads to the roundabout.
  4. Cross the roundabout and continue on the small road straight ahead. Follow the railway tracks, then turn left at the small bridge, passing an aeromodelling club. Keep going and at the large roundabout, stay right on the Pirenexus, following the D618.
  5. Turn right and follow a pleasant small paved road.
  6. Enjoy a nice visit to the discovery farm. Then return to the Pirenexus. Turn right, then left under the bridge onto the Chemin du Mas Nou. Continue along Route de Taxo to reach Saint-André.
  7. In Saint-André : Turn right onto Rue de Taxo, then right again onto Rue du Miloussa. Take the first left to reach the heart of the village.
  8. Visit the Tourist Information Office where you can get the "Isalia" game. Good luck in Saint-André!
  9. Next, head towards Sorède : Take Rue des Albères. At the roundabout, take the second exit right and go up Rue Joan Cayrol, continuing along Chemin de Saint-André. You will soon be on a section of EuroVelo 8, passing through olive groves and vineyards.
  10. At this point, turn right and cross the ford. Turn left onto Route de Palau (D11).
  11. At the second roundabout, head towards Rue de l'Église. After the square, go straight onto Rue Saint-Jacques, then Rue du Moulin Cassanyes. Follow Avenue de la Vallée Heureuse and go all the way to the Valley of Turtles.
  12. Valley of Turtles.Meet several species of turtles and other unexpected animals. Once the visit is complete, retrace your steps back.
  13. Head left towards Laroque
  14. Turn right onto Rue Louis et Michel Soler.
  15. Take a detour through the Tourist Office. Don’t hesitate to explore the typical streets of the village.
  16. Return to the Tourist Office and head towards Saint-Genis-des-Fontaines by turning left. Cross the bridge and go straight.
  17. Take Rue de Tanya.
  18. Turn onto Cami de la Creu and go straight towards the center of Saint-Genis-des-Fontaines. Turn onto Place Jean Rolland and carefully descend Rue Clemenceau.
  19. At the Tourist Office, the "Isalia" game will be offered for a detective challenge in the cloister (same location). Once completed, head left onto Rue Clemenceau, then continue straight to the Pirenexus.
  20. Return to Argelès via the Pirenexus
  21. Turn left, following the same route as you did initially.
  • Departure : Tourist Office of Argelès-sur-mer
  • Arrival : Tourist Office of Argelès-sur-mer
  • Towns crossed : ARGELES SUR MER, ST ANDRE, PALAU DEL VIDRE, SOREDE, LAROQUE DES ALBERES, and ST GENIS DES FONTAINES

Altimetric profile

Recommandations

Ensure sufficient hydration. Follow traffic rules. Remember to wear a helmet.

Access and parking

D 914

Parking :

Parking at the Argelès-sur-Mer Tourist Office.