Argelès-sur-Mer


Driving distance from Calais:

727 miles (Approx. 10hrs 20m)

Resort Info

Why Argelès-sur-Mer?

  • Excellent climate and Blue Flag beaches
  • Characterful coastal towns and villages such as Collioure and Racou
  • Catalan cultural heritage and architecture
  • The stunning Albères Mountains with their deep valleys and soaring summits

Argelès-sur-Mer is a commune in the Pyrénées-Orientales department in southern France, in the arrondissement of Céret. It is situated on the Côte Vermeille at the foot of the Albères mountain range (1157m), just at the place where the Pyrenees plunge down to the sea and is just a short drive away from the Spanish border and the airport in Perpignan. Argelès-sur-Mer is the administrative centre of a district encompassing eight villages and towns, many with buildings dating back to the medieval times along with Romanesque churches and chapels that punctuate the landscape.

The name of Argelès is derived from the French word 'argile,' which means 'clay,' because of the soil type on which the town was built. This ancient town, which can trace its formation back to the 9th century, stretches for nearly 10km along the coast where it meets the Mediterranean Sea and has the longest beach of the Pyrenées Orientales. The Blue Flag beach is cleaned every day which means clean waters and a safe place for families to have fun. The town has been awarded the Famille Plus Mer which shows their commitment to welcoming and providing great holidays for families of all sizes.

The town of Argelès-sur-Mer is split into three distinct areas: Argelès Village, Argelès Plage and Le Racou. The Village is typical of the area, a brightly coloured environment with a Catalan accent, terracotta roofs and a maze of narrow streets that are a joy to wander along. Here you will find the crenelated bell tower of the village church which dates back to the 14th century, the ramparts associated with the kings of Aragon and Majorca and the traditional market. The village also host numerous cultural festivals throughout the year.

The Plage area is dominated by the Albères Mountains which rise up from the shore line. The stunning seafront leads onto a 7km wide, sandy beach, with the crystal clear, inviting waters of the Mediterranean Sea. The pretty promenade, planted with trees that line its path leads to the seafront pine forest of the 'Bois de Pins.' The delightful rocky coves of Portells and Ouille, serving as a link with the Rocky Coast, offer peace and tranquillity in the spring and autumn for those who may want to escape the crowds. The wide sandy beach is ideal for safe and supervised bathing, and for the more adventurous there are numerous little rocky creeks for scuba diving. For lovers of watersports, the Tramontane and Marin winds make windsurfing and surfing here more challenging and are just a couple of the many water-based sports available here. Argelès has recently earned the title of, 'Handiplage,' due to its many facilities for the disabled and the town in general is undertaking a special programme to make the resort more accessible to disabled visitors.

Around Le Racou ('corner' in Catalan), the pace of life in Le Racou is a little slower, with a laid back beach bum kind of feel. The main street has a decent selection of intimate little restaurants and bars with terraces so you can enjoy a sumptuous Catalan spread in the sunshine. Bordering this laid-back little village is the Port Argelès marina with its squares, shops, restaurants and bars. If you're lucky enough to have a boat situated down near the Mediterranean, then you could do worse than mooring in Argelès at the foot of the Pyrenees, amid the vineyards and sun-scorched villages. Even if your bank balance isn't that of a millionaire, you can still pretend to be one as you catch the sunset and enjoy a sundowner while hiding behind your Ray Bans!

There is plenty to discover in the local area; to the south lies the harbour paradise of Collioure, and rising up from the shores of the Mediterranean Sea are the verdant Albères Mountains.

Just 26km from the Spanish border, Collioure is an idyllic place on the rocky coastline, nestling in an unspoilt, protected environment. This small Catalan port has always been a coveted location because of its access to the Mediterranean Sea and its origins can be traces as far back as 673, indicating that the settlement here was of strategic and commercial importance. Large numbers of Phocaeans, Roman and Greek seafarers made Collioure their destination and left behind a rich archaeological heritage that can be explored today.

The rugged Albères Mountains, with their deep valleys and soaring summits, stretch along the southern half of the vast territory of the town. Approximately half of the mountains are covered in woodland. The foothills are populated by olive, evergreen oak and cork oak trees along with scrub and gorse. At higher altitudes you will find ash, birch, hazel and chestnut trees - some of the beech groves are listed as a nature reserve. Higher still you will find the mountain pastures where the small, semi-feral, ‘Massanaises’ cows, graze in the summer months. The mountains are an integral part of the tourist environment of the resort and provide a wide choice of activities from walking and hiking to mountain biking and horse riding. The shade of the trees offers coolness and relaxation, just a few kilometres from the beach, with stunning views down to the town and out across the Mediterranean.

So whether it is beaches and sea, mountains and fresh air or history and culture that you crave, Argelès-sur-Mer has something for everyone.

The friendly and helpful Argelès-sur-Mer Tourist Office is open every day 08.30 - 20:00 during then season and Monday to Friday 09:00 -12:00 and 14:00-18:00, Saturday 09:00 -12:00 out of season. Their comprehensive website is full of useful information, tips and suggestions.

Office de Tourisme Argelès-Plage
Place de l'Europe, Argelès-sur-Mer
Telephone: +33(0)468 811585
Website: www.argeles-sur-mer-tourism.co.uk/
Email: infos@argeles-sur-mer.com


  • Opening Times
  • Activities
  • Access
  • Resort News
Opening Times

Argelès-sur-Mer opening dates: All year.

Activities

Argelès-sur-Mer has many outdoor and cultural activities, for adults and children alike and has a rich rural heritage. With 7km of Blue Flag beach at Argelès-sur-Mer, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the Mediterranean Sea in complete safety. From the huge array of water sports to Chateaux and churches – the Eastern Pyrenees coast has activities and entertainment in abundance during the summer months.  

 

The Discovery pass (Pass Decouvertes)


With ‘Pass-découvertes’ you will be entitled to discounted rates for all guided tours offered by the town of Argelès sur mer. At the museum Case del’Albera, you will be entitled to a discounted rate from the second visit onwards. The brochure entitled ‘Pass découvertes’ is available at the Tourist Office.

 

Sports & Leisure

 

Beaches
Scuba Diving
Sea Fishing
Parasailing
Banana Boat
Flying Fish
The Couch Surfer
Water Donuts
Aquaplaning
Canyoning Park
Paddle Board
Windsurfing
Boat Excursions
Sea Kayaking
Argelès Adventure
Tennis
Bowling
Horse Riding
Cinema
Casino
Luna Park
Swimming Pool

Cycling and Road Biking
Walking and Hiking
Mini Golf Paradise

 

Go to the Sports & Leisure Page >

 

Culture and Heritage

 

La Chapelle St Laurent Du Mont
Chateau De Taxo D'avall et Chapelle Vicomtale
Les Dolmens
Saint Ferreol de la Pave
La Tour de la Massane
Notre Dame de Vie et Saint Jerome
Eglise Notre Dame dels Prats
The Walls
Casa De l'Albera Maison du Patrimoine
Le Chateau de Pujol

Collioure

 

Go to the Culture & Heritage Page >

 

Natural Wonders & Wildlife

 

Albères Mountains
Reserve Naturelle de la Massane
Reserve Naturelle Nationale du Mas Larrieu

 

Go to the Natural Wonders & Widlife Page >

 

Child Specific

 

Canyoning Park
Tennis
Argelès Adventure
Banana Boat
The Couch Surfer
Water Donuts
Aquaplaning
Paddle Board
Windsurfing
Sea Kayaking
Bowling
Horse Riding
Boat Excursions
Luna Park
Swimming Pool
Mini Golf Paradise
Mini Autos
Miniature Port
Beach Club Tropical Jump
Beach Club Pirate Land

 

Go to the Child Specific Page >

Access

Road
Driving distance from Calais: 1160km, 10hrs 20
Driving distance from Le Harve: 1057km, 9hrs 30
Driving distance from Caen: 1046km, 9hrs 20
Driving distance from Cherbourg: 1163km, 10hrs 20
Driving distance from Saint Malo: 1002km, 8hrs 55
Driving distance from Bilbao: 673km, 6hrs 5
Driving distance from Santander: 768km, 7hrs 5

Air
Perpignan–Rivesaltes Airport - Perpignan to Argelès-sur-Mer: 31km, approx. 30mins

Website: http://www.aeroport-perpignan.com/

 

Carcassonne Airport - Carcassonne to Argelès-sur-Mer: 149km, approx. 1hr 30mins

Website: http://www.aeroport-carcassonne.com/


International Airport Toulouse - Blagnac to Argelès-sur-Mer: 244km, approx. 2hrs 15mins
Website: http://www.toulouse.aeroport.fr/ 

Private taxi transfers from airports to Argelès-sur-Mer are pre-bookable via Pyrenees Collection.

Rail
TBC

Bus transfer
TBC

 
Car Hire
TBC

Resort News

Coming soon


Other Accommodation In: Argelès-sur-Mer
Grand Hotel du Golfe
3* Superior Hotel Sleeps 2-4
500m to beach & stunning coastline
A stylish sea front hotel perched above the coastline between Collioure & Argelès-sur-Mer, 2 km to both. 500m to the beach & Le Racou port.
Les Alberes Hotel
3* Hotel Sleeps 1-4
Set in a floral park close to the beach
Les Albères is located a 5-minute drive from Argelès-sur-Mer Beach. It is set in a 10-hectare floral park and offers an pool, tennis courts & a balneotherapy centre.
Les Alberes Villas
3* Apartments Sleeps 2-8
Set in a floral park close to the beach
Les Albères is located a 5-minute drive from Argelès-sur-Mer Beach. It is set in a 10-hectare floral park and offers an pool, tennis courts & a balneotherapy centre.

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