Gorges de la Fou

Visit Gorges de la Fou, Languedoc-Roussillon

The Gorges de la Fou are a deep natural gorge in the Tech Valley west of Ceret, in the southern Languedoc-Roussillon region (follow the road towards Prats de Mollo) that have been carved by a fast moving stream over the course of millions over years

The gorges are now a paid 'attraction', with a walkway running a couple of kilometres along the bottom of a very narrow and steep-sided gorge.

As you follow the path the cliffs rise up to 200 metres above you, and at times you can barely see the daylight above the gorge as they squeeze in on the path, while at other times the path opens wider.

While it is perhaps a shame that it has been necessary to place a metal walkway, and protection nets overhead, which detract a little from the natural environment - in truth the gorges would be otherwise impossible to see. Certainly it makes it much easier to visit with children...!

We enjoyed visiting these gorges, and are able to recommended a visit.

Note: the word 'fou' doesn't come from the French word for 'mad', as you might expect, but from the catalan word for 'precipice'.

Visitor information

Bring water if it is a hot day - although you are often in the shade it still can be very warm.

Be aware that although it is quite an easy walk through the Gorges de la Fou there are also quite a few steps along the way.

The Gorges de la Fou are open to the public from April to November, entry price about 9 euros for an adult or 5 euros for a child (varies according to season). During the summer the slightly higher admission charge to Gorges de la Fou also includes admission to a falconry display in Arles-sur-Tech (we visited outside the summer so didn't see this).

Photos of Gorges de la Fou (click any picture to start the gallery)

Suggested places to visit near Gorges de la Fou, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Castelnou 19km; Ille sur Tet 24km; Prades 25km; Eus 25km; Villefranche-de-Conflent 27km; Molitg les Bains 30km; Elne 32km; Mosset 33km; Argeles-sur-Mer 33km; Perpignan 34km; Saint Cyprien - Pyrenees Orientales 35km; Collioure 37km; Port Vendres 39km; Banyuls-sur-Mer 41km; Fort de Salses 48km; Rennes-les-Bains 57km;

See these places and more on a map at places near Gorges de la Fou

Gorges de la Fou tourism: sights and attractions nearby

Prieuré de Serrabone (Boule-d'Amont) - religious monument (16km) : Chapel Saint-Martin de Fenollar (Maureillas-las-Illas) - religious monument (16km) : Abbaye Saint Martin du Canigou (Casteil) - religious monument (20km) : Eglise de Sainte-Marie (Corneilla-de-Conflent) - religious monument (24km) : Eglise de Trinité d'Aregno (Aregno) - religious monument (24km) : Abbaye Saint Michel de Cuixa (Codalet) - religious monument (24km) : Chapelle de Casenoves (Ille-sur-tet) - religious monument (24km) : Orgued d'Ille-sur-Tet - site of natural beauty (24km) :

French version: see Gorges de la Fou (Francais)