- Geotrek PyMed

The term "Racou" means "nook" in Catalan. Located between rocky coast and sandy beach, it is one of the typical places of the Argelesian coastline. The first installations of "demountable" wooden cabins go back to the 1920s but will be destroyed during the German occupation. In the 1960s, the Racou already has three lines of houses. This place is almost a village in its own right. Through its tiny alleyways floats a retro atmosphere where there is good walking.

Panorama

Ouille Beach

The beach of Ouille, between Collioure and Racou, is a real paradise. This confidential beach is mostly frequented by locals or customers of neighboring campsites. With its small pebbles, it extends about 100 meters below the cliffs of the Côte Vermeille. This beach, very quiet even in high season, however, is not monitored and parking to access is quite far. In short, a great place to be away from the crowd.

Cultural heritage

Fort Miradoux

In 1669, Vauban who wanted to make Collioure a garrison town, decided to shave the old town and create Fort Miradoux on the site of the old Fort Sainte-Thérèse built around 1540 by Charles V. This fort because of its location was of paramount importance in the defense of the castle. Today, Fort Miradoux, owned by the Army has become the National Commando Training Center (CNEC).

Cultural heritage

Royal Castle of Collioure

Built in the 13th century to house the court of the Kings of Majorca, the Royal Castle of Collioure has been listed as a historical monument since 1922. Reinforced many times, the castle eventually pushed the city back to the foot of the cape turned into a citadel in the 17th century. It is inseparable from Collioure as the city can not be separated from the sea. To return to the heart of the world of the Royal Castle of Collioure, do not forget the guided tours!

Nostra Mar

Club hiking webbed and environmental awareness. Discover the rich marine environment of the Côte Vermeille from the edge with fins, mask and snorkel! Marine, diving instructor and biologist, will guide you. All levels. Equipment provided: fins, mask, snorkel, combination.

History

Redoute Béar

Due to its strategic maritime position and its proximity to historical boundaries, Port-Vendres has received a great deal of attention from military builders. The historic turning point of the city is around 1659, when after the Treaty of the Pyrenees, King Louis XIV charged Vauban to make "Port-Vendres" a port of war. Go up to the Redoubt Béar built in the 18th century according to the plans of Vauban and immerse yourself in history.

Cultural heritage

The jetty's lighthouse

Having weathered the weather so far, the metal lighthouse at the pier of Port-Vendres has run bravely 110 years. However the last storms have a little damaged, including its spiral staircase, since removed because of the automation of the lantern. Listed in historical monuments since 2011, go see it before the sea prevails!

Cultural heritage

Fort Béar

Built between 1877 and 1880, Fort Béar was built in order to lock the borders and replace the fortifications of Vauban with buried polygonal forts. This fort was used until the middle of the 20th century, when a radio station was installed after the German occupation (1949). He is now owned by the Army.

Geology

Les schistes plissés du Cap Béar

The steep shale cliffs of Cape Béar consist of deformed and metamorphosed meta-sediments (transformation of minerals under the effect of pressure or temperature). They show alternating rocks, which highlights sediment stratification. The rocks deform and change over time as shown by the many folds, from centimeters to metric or even kilometers. Its presence between sea and mountain makes it exceptional (BRGM).

Geology

Sphinx

When Egypt invites itself on the Côte Vermeille. Observe the coastline and you will discover an authentic sphinx ... with a little imagination. This cape located near the Plage des Elmes is a beautiful place. You have to take the Chemin des Douaniers, by the Plage des Elmes to get there.

History

Arago Laboratory

In the early 1880s, the zoologist Henri De Lacaze Duthiers prospected the Mediterranean Coast to establish a marine station. In 1882, the Arago Laboratory opened its doors at its current location, and the public aquarium was inaugurated in 1884. The laboratory welcomed scientists who wanted to advance marine science. The research structures were regularly expanded to welcome new researchers who contributed to the renown of the laboratory.

Geology

Le Dôme

Located on the north face of the Cape of Abeille, the "Dome" owes its name to its configuration. This site has a large rocky outcrop approximately 70 meters long and 15 meters wide and has some major faults. The depth varies between 10 meters to the south and 19 meters to the north. The interest of the site is around and on the Dome (between 12 meters and 5 meters).

compass

Viewpoint orientator of Cap Rederis

Enjoy this panoramic point of view to observe the landscape.

shipwreck

The José Illueca

Cargo of 1922 built in Gdansk, it is bought in 1942 by José Illueca armament of Las Palmas. Sunk in 1944 in front of Port-Vendres by British fighters, it now lies 79 meters deep between Caps Peyrefitte and Canadell. Because of its depth, this wreck is only accessible to Trimix Hypoxic divers (diving beyond 70 meters).

Cultural heritage

Château de la Trinité

Military construction located at the end of the Poncella, dating from 1544. It was built during the reign of Emperor Charles I, in addition to the citadel. In the shape of a 5-pointed star. At the time, it had three terraces for batteries of cannons, howitzers or mortars at different heights to defend the port and the coast, with a garrison of two hundred men. Today, this extraordinary example of an artillery fortress can be visited and constitutes a spectacular watchtower of the Bay of Roses.

Discover the guided tours and the offers for families.

Description

Etape 1: Argelès-sur-Mer: Sandy coast, rocky coast, rugged reliefs, parks, forests, Argelès-sur-Mer is situated at the foot of the Albères massif. The city has many cataloged heritage monuments and stretches for almost 10 kilometers along the Mediterranean Sea

Etape 2: Collioure: Collioure is a small harbour nestling in a creek where the waters of the Mediterranean Sea ans the rocks of the Pyrennes mountain range merge. Jewel of the Côte Vermeille, Collioure has always been a land of inspiration for artists.

Etape 3: Port-Vendres: Natural harbour in deep water, since antiquity, everything is an excuse to go through the history of Vauban to Louis XVI. Under the terraced vineyard, the site of Paulilles, nestled between two capes, is much more than an exceptional bay but also a place of memory

Etape 4: Banyuls-sur-Mer: At the heart of the vermeille coast, at the foot of the terraced vineyard, home of the sculptor Aristide Maillol, Banyuls-sur-Mer seduces with its preserved architecture, its seafront promenade, its pebble beach and marina.

Etape 5: Cerbère:At the gateway to spain, in the marine nature reserve, Cerbere is a village that flourished with the development of the railway. its heritage of the nineteenth century makes it an exceptional catalan village

Etape 6: Portbou: Next to the border with france, PortBou offers an urban heritage course with international character and beaches of high quality. It combines memory and exile, art and landscape, and is a symbol of culture and peace.

Etape 7: Colera: In the north of the Alt Emporda region, Colera combines natural landscapes of Cap de Creus with a clam and little congested urban nucleus, endowed with a great amount of services for visitors. The coastline is formed by rocks and virgin beaches; inland the landscape is characterized by lands full of olive trees and vineyards, wich are delimited with natural stone.

Etape 8: Llançà: A small Mediterranean village located in the middle of a unique landscape and surrounded by both land and sea, by two protected natural areas-the Natural Park of Cap de Creus and l'Albera- and significant elements of cultural heritage. It houses and important watercolor museum: The MArtinez Lozano Foundation.

Etape 9: El Port de la Selva: The Port de la Selva is located within the Natural Park of Cap de Creus. It has a great landscape richness, where the blue of the Mediterranean sea, the green of vineyards and some steep coasts are beautifully combined. The imposong monastery of San Pere de Rodes crowns its mountains.

Etape 10: Cadaquès: A small town in the north of the Costa Brava, where the Pyrenees plunge into the sea. It is a pole of attraction for many artists, like Salvador Dali, who settled in Portlligat. The municipality encompasses the most eastern point of the Iberian Peninsula, Cap de Creus.

Etape 11: Roses: Gateway to the Natural parks of Cap de Creus ans the "Aiguamolls de l'Emporda", and origin of one of the most beautiful mediterranean bay, Roses is synonymous with history, culture, gastronomy, leisure and nature

Towns crossed : ARGELES SUR MER, COLLIOURE, PORT-VENDRES, BANYULS SUR MER, CERBERE

Altimetric profile

Recommandations

Is in the midst of the park

The national park is an unrestricted natural area but subjected to regulations which must be known by all visitors.

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