De Mailly was the driving force behind the creation of Port Vendres as a port, and followed plans originally conceived by Vauban to open up and enlarge the existing facilities.
Did you know that Prat is the Catalan word for prairie or meadow?
De Mailly entered military service as a musketeer, and in 1749 was appointed lieutenant general for the Roussillon and commander in chief of the province.
In the sumptuous surroundings of the Chateau de Jau and its former silk-factory turned exhibition space, Nicolas Cussac’s art has found a home for the summer.
This winter, 2024, Chateau d’Aubiry will host ‘Les Splendeurs de Chine’, a theme park dedicated to Chinese culture, with 2,600 lanterns.
La Fête du Travailleur Catalan is a family-friendly festival that has taken place every year since 1937!
Carnival actually dates back to the ancient Greek spring festival in honour of Dionysus, the god of wine. It was a massive binge – a celebration of excess, and later the church, unable to suppress it, wisely adapted it instead to its own traditions.
Traditional Calçotadas take place In February and March. Down as many of these tasty onions as your tummy will allow, dipped in sauces and usually served up with BBQ, live music, sardanes……
This French Christmas character, the ‘whipping father’, said to accompany Santa on his rounds on 6th December, is fortunately no longer heard of much in French tradition.
Franco believed Sardane dancers were passing on coded messages with their feet!