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Go on a European path and discover all the riches of Catalonia in 11 steps

90 km of hiking to discover while roaming in 11 steps

8 points of interest

  • History

    Un petit recoin catalan : « Le Racou »

    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.
  • 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

    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.
  • 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, BANYULS SUR MER, CERBERE, COLLIOURE, and PORT-VENDRES

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.