Argeles-sur-Mer

Visit Argeles-sur-Mer, Languedoc-Roussillon

Argeles-sur-Mer is found on the Mediterranean coast near the border with Spain on the section of coast known as the Cote Vermeille. The town and resort is found in an attractive setting, with the low hills of the eastern Pyrenees (the massif des Albères) behind the beach and Mount Canigou visible beyond. Argeles is just a few kilometers from Collioure.

Argeles Beach

Argeles sur Mer is a popular and pleasant resort on the Languedoc coast, mostly visited for the activities focussed along the coast and beach. The sandy beach is almost seven kilometres long, and interspersed with rocky pools - it has also been awarded the Blue Flag award for its cleanliness and facilities. It is the most important resort on this stretch of the coast. Next to the beach is a 12 hectare pine forest and also a pleasant promenade.

The beach and coast here is also used for other watersports such as windsurfing and scuba diving.

Argeles Town

Slightly inland is a pleasant  town in Catalan style with some interesting narrow streets to explore - you can ascend the belltower in the Church of Notre-Dame-del-Prat for views across the region. This belltower is 34m high and as well as a belltower it served as a lookout post and signal station. Most of the original ramparts have now disappeared though on Rue du 14 juillet you can see the Jalabert tower and various other sections can be seen as you wander the streets.

Particular highlights include the pretty little Chapel of Saint-Jerome d'Argeles and the Hermitage of Saint-Ferreol-de-la-Pave (both very old 10th century chapels in roman style). Church enthusiasts will also want to visit the Church of Saint-Laurent-du-Mont (a little south of the town), a beautifully preserved 12th century roman style church.

Argeles Port

Argeles also has a pleasant tree lined port whose edges are lined with restaurants. It is a very pleasant spot to sit outside at one of the many restaurants and eat dinner overlooking the harbour. Stroll along the seafront to the attractive coastal hamlet of Le Racou.

To visit nearby

A trip to the ruins of the cathar castle of Perpeytuse is a highlight of a trip to Argeles. Perpeytuse castle was one of the last of the Cathar stronghold. As well as the castle the views over to Spain and Andorra from its mountain top position are superb.

A popular trip from Argeles is to Valmy to see fine views and eagles soaring overhead (there is also a 19th century 'chateau' at Valmy, interesting to architects as one of the earliest buildings constructed with reinforced concrete, although you might not guess just be looking at it, now a chambre d'hote).

En route for Valmy you can visit the defensive Massane tower, built in the 13th century on a rocky peak, while the sturdy square tower that remains of the 12th century Chateau de Pujol is a little way north of the town.

Walk the coastal path from the nature reserve of Mas Larrieu. The walk takes you past many coves as well as the pretty beach and hamlet of Le Racou near the Port.

General information: just north of Argeles-sur-Mer during 1939 a large prisoner camp was established to house thousands of republicans fleeing Spain after the end of the Spanish War.

Photos of Argeles-sur-Mer (click any picture to start the gallery)

Tourist classifications for Argeles-sur-Mer: Village in bloom (ville fleurie) 1*;

Suggested places to visit near Argeles-sur-Mer, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Banyuls-sur-Mer 11km; Perpignan 20km; Ceret 23km; Castelnou 27km; Arles sur Tech 33km; Gorges de la Fou 33km; Fort de Salses 34km; Ille sur Tet 36km; Leucate 41km; Mount Canigou 47km; Prats de Mollo la Preste 47km; Eus 48km; Prades 50km; Port-la-Nouvelle 52km; Molitg les Bains 53km; Sigean Nature Reserve 54km;

See these places and more on a map at places near Argeles-sur-Mer

Argeles-sur-Mer tourism: sights and attractions nearby

Eglise de Saint Michel (Saint-Genis-des-fontaines) - religious monument (8km) : Chapel Saint-Martin de Fenollar (Maureillas-las-Illas) - religious monument (17km) : Eglise de Notre Dame des Anges (Cabestany) - religious monument (17km) : Eglise de Trinité d'Aregno (Aregno) - religious monument (36km) : Chapelle de Casenoves (Ille-sur-tet) - religious monument (36km) : Orgued d'Ille-sur-Tet - site of natural beauty (36km) : Prieuré de Serrabone (Boule-d'Amont) - religious monument (37km) : Eglise de Sainte Marie de Marcevol (Arboussols) - religious monument (45km) :

French version: see Argeles-sur-Mer (Francais)