What’s on in Argelès VIDEO
Coming from the Latin ‘argila’ meaning clay, development of the resort started in the 1860s, when the first settlements were followed by the installation of a French army camp, and the arrival of the first campers.
WW2 brought barbed wire, squalor and heartbreak as beaches became prisons for refugees fleeing the Franco regime during La Retirada.
Today, the sea has washed away the blood and tears and the beaches are safe and golden, although a small museum in Valmy Park and plaques along the seafront remind us that we must never forget.
THE VILLAGE
Stroll around the narrow streets of the pretty, bustling, village, perfect for people-watching on the trottoir of one of the many cafés and restaurants. Follow the old ramparts, visit the church and its treasures and climb to the top of the 23-metre tower to enjoy the unique view of the Plaine du Roussillon (guided visits only).
THE PORT
Sails moving gently in the breeze, totally pedestrian, stroll past cafés, shops and restaurants, or watch the world go by – a refreshing change to the usual manic pace of life.
THE BEACHES
With 7 km of long sandy beaches, two nature reserves, (Mas Larrieu and La Forêt de la Massane), the timeless Racou beach, and a mountain summit towering at 1156m (Pic des 4 Termes), Argelès is a limitless playground for walkers, cyclists, swimmers, runners and watersports fans! FIND OUT MORE HERE
Summer Conferences – test your French with one (or all) of the fascinating conferences on Argelès and it’s heritage:
Wednesday 25th July : “Le littoral roussillonnais à travers une série de gravures” by Thierry Delory, artist, and Bernard Rieu, regional heritage specialist. Wednesday 8th August : Presentation of the film “L’extraordinaire histoire de l’épave romaine Port-Vendres I”, produced by EDIKOM, presented by Victoria Magenti from the Parc naturel marin du golfe du Lion. Wednesday 23rd August : “La coiffe et le costume des Catalanes” by Laurent Fonquernie, historian, Catalan garnet and Roussillon costume specialist . As featured in POL N° 59 (spring 2018)
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