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