VILAGES:
  · Le Boulou
  · Céret
  · Amélie-les-Bains
Palalda
  · Arles sur Tech
  · Corsavy
  · Montferrer
  · Prats-de-Mollo
  · Saint-Laurant-de-
Cerdans
  · Lamanère
  · Coustouges
Arles sur Tech
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Arles-sur-Tech is quieter and more atmospheric than Amelie. Its medieval quarter is focused around the Abbey of Sainte-Marie. Viking invaders ruined the original abbey built in the 8th century. The abbey has an elegant and tranquil cloister added from the 13th century.

Do visit the Sainte-Tombe, a 4th century sarcophagus that mysteriously and miraculously produces 300 litres of water a year. Frequent recitals and concerts in the abbey give one the opportunity to hear the impressively restored organ.



Arles is a close-knit community with an award winning folk-dance group. There are several colourful and vibrant fetes during the year. Possibly the most famous in February is the ‘Fete de l’Ours’, a pagan celebration of the bears wakening from hibernation. The boldest bear pursues a beautiful local girl, which involves lots of slapstick when this story is enacted throughout the village streets.

On Good Friday there is a dramatic candlelit procession of the barefoot, taper carrying, hooded Black Penitents who bless the shrine decorated houses throughout the village.

In August there is a two-day medieval festival when the village is transformed into a typical medieval settlement. Traditional art and craft market stalls, entertainment and food ensures a fun weekend for everyone.


Arles offers some restaurants, a hotel, several shops, two campsites, a working forge and a quaint museum of Catalan fabrics where various items can be purchased.


Gorges de la Fou
Two miles from Arles towards Prats-de-Mollo you will find the ‘Gorges de la Fou’, the narrowest ravines in the world. The 200m high cliffs are so close together they have trapped falling rocks. Water erosion has smoothed the walls and the site can be viewed from 1500m of metal walkway.



Walking out of Arles
Heading northwest by foot, try to avoid the first uninteresting section of the GR10 hiking route. Instead take the blue-dot marked path labelled “Dolmen 1hr 30mins” which takes one off the road towards the campsite above the public swimming pool. After about 5 hours one can rest at the gite d’etape at Batere, which has a restaurant and lodgings.

 The ugly scars of the open cast iron ore extraction mine created between the 12th and 17th century are visible in this beautiful countryside. From Batere by foot one can continue upwards towards Canigou or make other excursions.


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