Arboussols: Holiday Apartments and Holiday Homes

Culture

The Sainte-Eulalie Church in Arboussols is a Catalan Romanesque building with a single-nave layout, a semicircular apse and blind arcades at the end of the apse. Dedicated to Saint Eulalia, the church was first mentioned in 1011 in connection with Saint-Michel de Cuxa Abbey.

Another historical site is the chapel initially dedicated to Saint Salvator. It was first mentioned in 1142, is now dedicated to Saints Eulalia and Julia, and became the parish church of Arboussols after the Revolution.

The Prieuré de Marcevol was founded in 1129, shortly after Bishop Pierre of Elne donated the parish church of Sainte-Marie de Marcevol to the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. In its grounds, the church of the Prieuré de Marcevol is open to the public from April to October; visitors also have access to exhibitions, the immediate surroundings and a landscape trail.

The Prieuré de Marcevol hosts classical music concerts as well as exhibitions and installations of contemporary art. The Prieuré de Marcevol Foundation offers day events and excursions focusing on nature, gardens, landscapes, cultural heritage and food.

The Chambre des Certitudes is an installation created by Wolfgang Laib in 2000. It was carved into a rock at Roc del Maure and completely covered with beeswax. The key can be collected from the Arboussols town hall or the Prieuré de Marcevol. From the Prieuré de Marcevol, the Chambre des Certitudes can be reached after a 30- to 45-minute walk: first follow the GR®36 northwards for 1.5 km, then leave it for a 400 m ascent to the site.

Those who choose Arboussols as a holiday destination may wish to rent a holiday apartment for their stay.

Landscape

Arboussols lies in the hills of the low mountain range. The 2,784 m-high Canigou is separated from Arboussols by the Têt Valley, which runs 300 m lower.

The “Boucle du village et du prieuré” route passes through terraces with dry-stone walls and along old rural paths, taking in Arboussols’ rich cultural heritage.

Hiking

Several marked trails with specified elevation gains are available for short circular hikes: “Les 3 églises et la chapelle” is an easy 8.5 km route marked in red, with 150 m of ascent. “Les Deux Oratoires” is an easy 6 km route marked in green, with 390 m of ascent.

“Le Coll de Guers” is an easy 7 km route marked in blue, with 270 m of ascent. The “Boucle de Marcevol” is an easy 5.5 km route marked in yellow, with 320 m of ascent.

The “Boucle du village et du prieuré” hiking route in Arboussols is an easy 5.8 km circular trail starting in Arboussols and marked in yellow. The GR®36 hiking section from Sournia to Vinça passes through the municipalities of Sournia, Campoussy, Arboussols and Vinça, and therefore through Arboussols.

Other destinations: Canet-En-Roussillon, Ceret, Maureillas-Las-Illas, Bourg-Madame, Ortaffa, Le Soler, Salses-Le-Château, Latour-De-Carol

To the higher-level travel overview: Pyrénées-Orientales.