The loop of Les Albères "The great course"
Frédéric Hédelin
SOREDE

The loop of Les Albères "The great course"

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Discover the heritage and the crafts in the villages of "Les Albères".

1 point of interest

  • Château Montesquieu
    Château Montesquieu - Mairie Montesquieu-des-Albères
    Cultural heritage

    Castle of Montesquieu

    Feudal castle built by the lords of Sant Cristau, who then took the name of Montesquieu, dates back to 1080. The central dungeon houses the former home of the lord which was later backed a vaulted room which was the subject of a restoration. The enclosure wall to protect the whole measures nearly 12 meters high. A breathtaking view awaits you!

Description

  1. Leaving the town hall car park, go to the right and follow the black signs. You join Laroque-des-Albères.
  2. Take advantage of a stop to go up in the old village, to the belvedere of the castle. Take your road towards Saint-Genis-des-Fontaines then Villelongue-dels-Monts. Be careful between Villelongue and Montesquieu, you will cross a ford which can be closed after the floods.
  3. In Montesquieu-des-Albères, you pass the museum. Leaving Montesquieu, you join the cycle path, turn right towards Argelès.
  4. Leaving the cycle path take a left on a small road which passes to the right of an agricultural school. You will reach the Lac de Villelongue. Take a break in this wild environment.
  5. Continue your journey to reach Palau-del-Vidre. Be careful, you will cross the D2 where traffic is fast and dense. You now pass near "La chapelle de Cabanes" which you can visit on certain days.
  6. You then arrive at Palau-del-Vidre where you can discover the treasures of the church.
  7. Now go to Saint André. You will once again take the cycle path towards Boulou. At the Saint André school level, you can cross a ford which can be closed following floods.
  8. In Saint André, the glassmakers work before your eyes. To reach them, follow the direction of Argelès in the village. You now continue your route to Sorède, your starting point. Do not forget to visit, here, the Valley of the turtles on the heights of the village.
  • Departure : Car park of Sorède city hall
  • Arrival : Car park of Sorède city hall
  • Towns crossed : SOREDE, LAROQUE DES ALBERES, ST GENIS DES FONTAINES, VILLELONGUE DELS MONTS, MONTESQUIEU DES ALBERES, PALAU DEL VIDRE, ST ANDRE, and ARGELES SUR MER

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