In Estoher, striking reminders of the village’s history meet the natural surroundings of the Vallée du Llech. Anyone looking to rent a holiday apartment can put Estoher on their list of possible destinations.
Culture and History
The Chapelle Saint-Jean was the former parish church and is the only surviving remnant of the vanished village of Seners. Its oldest known written mention dates from 1204. The building has a rectangular nave with a pointed barrel vault.
The present-day Église Saint-Etienne was rebuilt around the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries. A round-arched section at the base of the bell tower survives from the first Romanesque structure; inside, there is an altarpiece of the Immaculate Conception.
Two historic bread ovens have also been preserved in Estoher. One is located on the grounds of the former farm belonging to the De Rose family, and the other is at house no. 9 Bis on Rue de l’École.
Nature
The ZNIEFF Vallée du Llech in Estoher includes the upper catchment area of the Llech above the Cascade des Fous. The area is predominantly forested, while the highest, unforested ridges have an alpine character. The ZNIEFF Vallée du Llech is classified as a protected area under French law dating from 1930 and designated as a bird protection area under the Birds Directive.
The Llech River is used for canyoning in the Vallée du Llech area.
Hiking and Cycling
The hike from Estoher to Pic Marbet starts in Estoher and is 5.0 kilometres long. It follows the GR®P Ronde du Canigó. The route passes through agricultural terraces and by shelters made of dry-stone walls.
For mountain biking, the Les Cortalets depuis Estoher route is a difficult 23.0-kilometre circular route starting in Estoher. It follows the forest track along the Llech from Estoher to the Refuge des Cortalets. Depending on snow conditions, the route can be hiked or cycled from mid-May to mid-October.
More than 150 farm animals await visitors at La Ferme d’Estoher.
Other places: Villemolaque, Formiguères, Eyne, Caramany, Estavar, Villeneuve-De-La-Raho, Torreilles, Angoustrine-Villeneuve-Des-Escaldes
