The Relais des Chartreuses is ideally located to access remarkable sites in a very short time. Here is an overview.
Céret and the Vallespir
The capital of our little country, the Vallespir, is Céret, 8 kilometers from the hotel. Céret is known in France for its early cherries, but it is above all a typical Catalan city that vibrates in summer to the sound of the sardana and is the starting point for discovery tours of the region, including the Tech Valley circuit.
But this ” little Aix-en-Provence ” is also a city of art. In the beginning of the 20th century, famous artists such as Déodat de Séverac, Picasso, Braque, Max Jacob and many others flocked here. For this reason, the city has an important museum of modern art which also presents very interesting exhibitions of contemporary art every summer.
Argelès sur mer
Clear waters, a vast sandy beach of 7 km and, in the background, the Albères massif which closes this beautiful white expanse by throwing itself into the sea, this is Argelès-sur-mer. With its port, its funfair, its casino, its train-bus, its ski-bobs, its towed buoys, its slides, its pedal boat or kayak rentals, Argelès-sur-Mer is a popular and busy resort.
In addition to the beach, the city offers the Valmy Park where you can walk through an olfactory garden and a botanical circuit through typical Mediterranean landscapes of the region. It is also in this park that the Sardana festival is held on the first Sunday of September.
Collioure
Collioure is a lovely little historical town that you must visit. In high season, the city is extremely busy and inaccessible to cars. A mandatory parking lot, slightly outside, is connected to the fortified port by a shuttle bus.
The bell tower of the church Notre-Dame-des-Anges (17th century altarpiece) is an iconic figure. One strolls in the numerous lanes of the old district. You can visit the royal castle, former residence of the kings of Majorca, the museum of modern art and bring back from Collioure a supply of anchovies, the local specialty.
Port-Vendres
The ” Port of Venus ” or Portus Veneris dates back to ancient times. Today it is a small city less animated than Collioure but very charming too. You can stroll along its quays and recall with nostalgia the great era of the maritime station.
Indeed, it was from Port-Vendres that people left for Algeria or returned. From Port-Vendres, you can reach the Cap Béar (very small road) from where you can enjoy a panoramic view. To the south of Port-Vendres is coiled the beach of the site of Paulilles (parking). Some locals believe that this discreet beach is the most beautiful in the area.
The vermilion coast, this rocky and picturesque coast
like a balcony on the sea, offers multiple nuggets where it is good to stroll.
Figueres and the Empordà
A popular tourist destination, Figueres owes most of its reputation to Salvador Dalí. It pays homage to him with the famous Dalí Theatre-Museum. The city has a rich cultural and architectural heritage. The castle of Sant Ferran is a gigantic military fortification. Its exceptional state of conservation makes it a must-see monument. The museum of the Empordà or the museum of toys are also among the sites to see absolutely. You will also appreciate the Catalan Gothic style of the Sant Pere church.
The Dalí Theatre-Museum is exceptional. It is also necessarily very busy. Remember to buy your ticket in advance on the site salvador-dali.org
Cadaques
Tourism has become the economic engine of this small fishing village, the most eastern of Spain. The historical center will take you back to the Middle Ages. The church of Saint Mary will make you appreciate its gothic style and its 23 m high baroque altarpiece. Salvador Dalí has left his mark. He lived in Portlligat, a few kilometers to the north.
The municipal museum is dedicated to him. Many other artists have paid tribute to the beauties of this Catalan village. We can mention Pablo Picasso or Marcel Duchamp. Dalí ‘s house in Portlligat evokes the painter in his home, in his intimacy. As for the Theatre-Museum of Figueres, it is recommended to buy your ticket in advance on the website salvador-dali.org. Around Cadaqués lies the natural park of Cap de Creus and its various coves with crystal clear water.
The plain of Roussillon
To the north of the hotel, in the direction of Perpignan, lies the Roussillon plain, an agricultural area. The region also offers many places of interest. For the seaside first, Canet-plage and its magnificent and large beach of fine sand with a very gentle slope.
Inland, the site of the lake of Raho where you can swim and walk in a preserved nature. On the cultural level, we can mention, among others, the Notre-Dame-des-Anges chapel and the palace of the kings of Majorca in Perpignan, the cloister of Elne, the Byrrh cellars in Thuir, the fortress of Salses and the prehistory museum in Tautavel.
This brief presentation does not exhaust all the tourist resources of the department. In particular, the many natural and historical sites of the Pyrenean regions, such as Canigó, Conflent, Capcir and Cerdanya, are not mentioned here.