A leafy valley

Vallespir offers countryside dominated by cherry trees, cork oaks, mimosas and horse chestnuts. The countryside becomes more rugged and mountainous, composed of gorges and valleys.
 

Vallespir is very mysterious ...

Have you heard of the legend of the Devil's bridge in Ceret?
And of the holy tomb, in the church of Sainte-Marie at Arles-sur-Tech, which fills with "holy water" in a mysterious way ... perhaps because it houses relics from our protectors, Saints Abdon and Sennen? ...
And also, this grotto, nor far from Ceret, which was a hideaway for the "Trabucaires", bandits who operated on the highways and who attacked carriages in the 19th century ...
 

Vallespir and its traditions

Cherries from Ceret, picked in April, are the first to be harvested in France. The cherry has found here the ideal climate and soil. As early as the end of winter, cherry trees are covered in white flowers; the fruit is picked in April. In the height of the harvest, in May, The Cherry Festival honours this delicious red fruit: A multitude of events are on offer such as the cherry stone removal race, the cherry stone spitting competition, the clafoutis cake competition ... and all this to the sound of the bands which liven up the atmosphere in the fruit coloured alleys ... you can taste the cherries and have fun ...

The Bear festival is a joyful tradition which brings the roads of Arles-sur-Tech to life, a man-animal sought by "hunters" ... The bear festival is also organised in High Vallespir, at Saint-Laurent-de-Cerdans and Prats-de-Mollo.

The cork oaks reign over the Alberes. These plantations have given birth to Catalan crafts, such as cork makers, "Tapers" in Catalan. The cork museum in Maureillas, founded by old cork makers, shows this work.

Vallespir, the land of artists

Picasso, Matisse, Chagall, Soutine, Pierre Brune ... all fell under the spell of Ceret, of its light and its colours.
The Museum of Modern Art in Ceret exhibits all year round. It also has temporary exhibitions from various masters of modern art.

Architectural treasures

Villages house surprising churches and chapels,   a reminder of Romanesque art: Saint-Ferreol chapel at Ceret, Sainte-Marie church at Montferrer ...
Sainte-Marie abbey at Arles-sur-Tech, is proud to be the oldest Carolingian abbey in Catalogne. It is comprised of a Romanesque church with three naves and a gothic cloister from the 13th century. At the entrance to the church, Sainte Tombe, a 4th century sarcophagus, which secretes clear water, in a mysterious way.

Reputed thermal resorts

The spas at Boulou and Amelie-les-Bains offer a range of thermal treatments. The Mediterranean climate along with the properties of thermal water, attract the patients and the people accompanying them.
The thermal water and treatment at the Boulou have been reputed for a long time for there hepathic and digestive qualities.
Amelie-les-Bains is specialised in rhumatology and respiratory tracts.
 

To discover High Vallespir, see the column "The Pyrenees".