Sentier littoral - From the Mas Larrieu coastline to the Racou
Les bords du Tech
Les bords du Tech - CCACVI

5 points of interest

  • Mémorial du camp d’Argelès
    History

    North Plaque of the Argelès-sur-Mer Memorial Trail

    This plaque symbolizes the northern boundary of the Argelès-sur-Mer camp.
  • 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

    Argelès Photo Nature Exhibition

    Created in 2009 by the town of Argelès-sur-Mer, Argelès Photo Nature – Enfants de la Mer offers over six months of outdoor exhibition featuring around a hundred giant photographs along the seafront promenade in Argelès-sur-Mer, which attracts over a million visitors each year.

    In 2020, the exhibition focuses on bears, with photographic perspectives accompanied by watercolor paintings and monumental sculptures. Issues related to climate change are also explored through stunning exhibits on the Arctic and coral reefs.
  • Stephane Ferrer

    Port Footbridge

    A true link between the Port and the Beach, the Massane Footbridge is crossed by more than 200,000 visitors each summer.
  • Stephane Ferrer
    History

    Catalan Boat

    Catalan boats were used for net fishing of sardines and anchovies along the Catalan and Spanish coasts. In Collioure in 1900, there were 120 Catalan boats dedicated to sardine ("sardinal") and anchovy ("anxove") fishing. You can still find them along the coastline, lovingly restored by enthusiasts.

Description

  1. At the Luna Park car park, you have 2 choices. First choice: go towards the north, through the camping site, crossover the ford and access the Mas Larrieu (visit available). To join the coastal path, go to your left from the bowling for 100 meters, then turn right. Go 100 meters,  find a dirt track on your right, there is the access to the path.
  2. Second choice: Go to your right towards Argeles sur Mer. Leave the road, walk alongside the Luna park and la Riberette (river), to your left, that runs into the sea a little further up. A small ford to get you over the ditch. Follow the path that crosses the undergrowth where there is a second ford boarded with reed. Once out of the shade, back onto the road on your right and back to the beach on your left through the Marende carpark. Now continue to your right walking on the beach.
  3. Be careful of the vegetation that holds up the sand. In the dip called «du Tamariguer », follow the promenade under the pine trees, bordered with panels of remarquable sites, you will end up at the port..
  4. Cross the Massane by the blue wooden bridge, to your left  follow the quay with it’s fishermen and yachtsmen.
  5. Walk up the steps that go to the car park, before the technical zone. follow the bicycle path towards ‘Le Racou’. This will take you to a path that bypasses the damp zone of the Racou. You can stop on the beach to observe the fauna and flora. Finish on the Racou car park.
  • Departure : Mas Larrieu Natural reserve
  • Arrival : Racou beach
  • Towns crossed : ARGELES SUR MER

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

From the D81, go into the Luna Park from the roundabout north of Argeles, towards the bowling. Car parks available and the trail is indicated.

Parking :

The Luna Park car park