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The Vallespir Valley -
Pyrenees
Céret - Amélie les Bains - Arles sur Tech - Prats de Mollo
The road from Le Boulou (south of Perpignan) winds it's way along the River Tech into the Pyrenean Mountains, passing through Céret (famed by artists and the colourful Saturday morning market)
Most of this area is famous for its cherry production and the mild climate guarantees early maturity, around mid April. The very first picking is traditionally sent to the French President as a gift from Catalonia.
Céret is an important center of Catalan tradition and culture. The town boasts a museum for modern art with works by Matisse, Chagal, Maillol, Dali, Miro.
The valley gets increasingly narrow as you approach the Spa town of
Amélie-les-Bains-Palalda.
Located in the Valespir, at an altitude of 230 meters, and 30 kilometers from the Mediterranean, on the southernmost slope of Mount Canigou. The town is divided in two parts by the River Tech. Ancient Palalda sits high on the north bank of the river, while Amélie, opposite,is a modern town, built up around the hydro-baths and mainly catering to the needs of the ailing patients.
The healing sulphur springs rise from the Gorge de Mondony and the sanatoriums are situated conveniently near by. The Romans used these healing waters and errected "Les Bains Romain", which have now been fully restored. They named the village "Aquae Caldac".
It was renamed Amélie-les-Bains in the 19th century after Queen Amélie, wife of Louis-Philippe, King of France. There are two public and one military Spa here, the latter founded by Queen Amélie, in 1854, who apparently recognized the sufferings of rheumatic and asthmatic soldiers.
Amelie is one of the most frequently visited thermal baths in the whole of France, and is built on a very old, hot water source. It explains why this village has been known to man from very early times. Stone engravings show that prehistoric man lived here from at least 800BC
Arles-sur-Tech was known in the past for its iron ore industry, but now lives mainly from tourism. It boasts a beautiful 900 century church and convent.
The Gorges de la Fou is located two kilometres beyond Alrles sur Tech on the road from Le Boulou to Prats de Mollo and thence to the frontier with Spain' La Fou is an old Catalan word meaning precipice, but when you first arrive, you have no idea of the amazing sheerness of the walls of this gorge, It is said to be the narrowest gorge in the world and in some parts the walls are only about 1 meter apart, with a depth of between 200 and 250 meters. The gorge stretches for about 1739 meters and the constructed metal passageway allows one to walk 1500 meters of its length. There is an incline of about 9% giving a rise of 157 meters from the beginning of the walk to its end. The average time needed for a visit is between one and a half to two hours. The metal passageway passes over the stream throughout its length. It is the constant flow of this stream that has cut the gorge and the numerous galleries and caves. The water continues to erode the calcified rock base. It is said that bandits used the gorge as a hide away more than 100 years ago, but it was not until 1928 that a group of local people explored the full length of the canyon for the first time. The Fou Canyon is not as grand as the one in Colorado but it is certainly the narrowest and in mny ways as interesting. Judge for yourself by undertaking this perfectly safe exploration.
Prats-de-Mollo
Prats de Mollo is situated, on the south face of Mount Canigou, and is a departure point for a variety of walks at all levels. At the nearby Roc Colom (2507 m) the River Tech has its source. Prats de Mollo-la Preste is a small town that increases it population to 4,000 inhabitants in summer, but is still ideal for a restful and relaxing holiday, and is only 40 miles (1 hour's drive) from the Mediterranean coast.
It dates back to the counts of Bésalu, in the12th century. The town was fortified by Vauban, the famous military architect, and the old part of Prats-de-Mollo is extremely well preserved as are the surrounding walls.
The town has a number of good restaurants and hotels, but if you bring a picnic go to Les Forquets in the mountains, where there is a wide choice of spots with a breathtaking views, and a crystal clear stream. Some picnic places have barbecues, tables and benches.
The roads along the whole length of the valley are picturesque and take you through sweet chestnut woods. In October these hills are swarming with people collecting the nuts, which are baked and eaten with salt and butter and a glass of wine.
The Spanish frontier is just 14 kilometers beyond Prats de Mollo
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