Eus

Visit Eus, Languedoc-Roussillon

Running down the slopes of a hill in the Pyreneean foothills, Eus is classified as one of the 'most beautiful villages of France'.  It is situated about 40 km west of Perpignan and 10 km north-east of Villefranche-de-Conflent, in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of southern France.

As you arrive you see one of the best views of Eus, from below the village on the main road between Prades and Perpignan. Eus is also said to be the village in France that gets more sun than any other - perhaps others claim the same but it does suggest it's a sunny spot (and it was when we visited)!

Exploring Eus

Eus is a small town, and it is the part that is found higher up the hill that is most interesting to visitors - around the attractive medieval centre and down the hill below the church.

Begin your visit at the Church of Saint Vincent at the top of the hill. The church was constructed in the 18th century on the site of a chapel that once stood here and formed part of an earlier castle, even incorporates part of the castle walls in its structure. Step inside to see the altarpiece and the primitive statues.

Historical note: in the 16th century the village fell within Spanish territory and successfully defended against the French, but 200 years later it was in French hands successfully repelling the Spanish.

Behind the church there are still lots of ruins of the chateau to clamber round and admire the views from all around the top of the hill.

After visiting the church head down the narrow cobbled streets below to explore the rest of Eus. These are very picturesque, and you pass through ancient vaulted passageways.  It is made even more attractive by the masses of agaves, cacti and other mediterranean plants and also mimosa trees that seem to be pushing up from every spare bit of land.

There is a distinct spanish influence in the town and many of the street names are spanish rather than french.

There is a second church, lower down in the village and more ancient than the hilltop church - this one dates from the 10th century and is also dedicated to Saint-Vincent, and to Saint-Jean.

After having a look around, and taking the obligatory photo from the bottom of the hill, follow the path up to the left of the church a little way through the fruit trees for more attractive views.

When we visited, Eus was quite busy - lots of tired children struggling up the hill in the sunshine - and I recommend trying to avoid afternoons in high season.

In August try to catch one of the concerts put on as part of the 'Nits de Canço i de Musica' exhibition.

To visit nearby

The Abbey of St Miched de Cuxa is nearby and has a crypte and belltower dating to the 11th century and ruins of a 12th century cloister. If you can visit in spring when there is a wonderful collection of irises to see.

Photos of Eus (click any picture to start the gallery)

Tourist classifications for Eus: One of the most beautiful village in France (plus beau villages);

Suggested places to visit near Eus, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Ille sur Tet 14km; Mount Canigou 14km; Castelnou 20km; Arles sur Tech 25km; Gorges de la Fou 25km; Prats de Mollo la Preste 27km; Ceret 30km; Rennes-les-Bains 33km; Quillan 34km; Gorges de l'Aude 34km; Rennes-le-Chateau 35km; Perpignan 36km; Elne 42km; Fort de Salses 43km; Saint Cyprien - Pyrenees Orientales 45km; Argeles-sur-Mer 48km;

See these places and more on a map at places near Eus

Eus tourism: sights and attractions nearby

Eglise de Sainte Marie de Marcevol (Arboussols) - religious monument (4km) : Abbaye Saint Michel de Cuixa (Codalet) - religious monument (8km) : Prieuré de Serrabone (Boule-d'Amont) - religious monument (11km) : Eglise de Sainte-Marie (Corneilla-de-Conflent) - religious monument (11km) : Chapelle de Casenoves (Ille-sur-tet) - religious monument (14km) : Orgued d'Ille-sur-Tet - site of natural beauty (14km) : Eglise de Trinité d'Aregno (Aregno) - religious monument (14km) : Abbaye Saint Martin du Canigou (Casteil) - religious monument (15km) :

French version: see Eus (Francais)