A mysterious abbey.

The oldest benedictine abbey founded in Catalogne.  A place with beliefs whcih go way back in time, such as the inexplicable formation of water in the Holy Tomb and the legend of the Saints Abdon and Sennen.

Everything is supposed to have started at an unknown period in time, way back, when Arles-sur-Tech was affected by the plague, natural catastrophies, fierce wild animals called « simiots ».  They are supposed to have been monstruous monkeys that inhabited the forests and mountains in pagan times in the Pyrenees, especially Vallespir.  Some people think they were monkey-goblins, a sort of very malicious elf.

In order to finish with all these catasrophies, Abbot Amulphe decided to leave for Rome and to ask for help from the Pope …

The rest is told in Prosper Mérimée's book … (Notes from a journey to the South of France, 1835).

Opening times:  From September to June, 9am until 12pm and 2pm until 6pm. 
From 1st July until 31st August:  From 9am until 7pm non-stop.
From April until October:  On Sundays:  From 2pm until 5pm.
Boutique and exhibitions next door.