Saint-Hippolyte: Holiday Apartments and Holiday Homes

The Château de Saint-Hippolyte is partially listed as a Historic Monument. The protection covers the façades and roofs of the residential wing and the northeastern tower, the large vaulted hall on the ground floor of the residential wing, the remains of the northern perimeter wall, and the façade and roofs of the northwestern tower. The listing took place on 24 February 1988.

The Château was mentioned as early as the 12th century. The present building appears to have been rebuilt on medieval structures after the partial destruction of the village and its fortifications in 1542, as well as the village fire in 1643. Between the 11th and 13th centuries, the Cellera was established around the Château: a collection of cellars that farmers built to store and protect their crops and which became a fortified village enclosure.

Anyone wishing to visit Saint-Hippolyte can rent a holiday apartment.

Culture

The Église paroissiale Saint-Michel has a 12th-century bell-tower base. Additions from the 19th century were made to the western nave in 1847, and to the eastern section with the apse in 1882. The church porch also contains a 4th-century military milestone dedicated to Emperor Constantine, which is classified as a protected object. It was discovered in Saint-Hippolyte in 1847 and is kept in the church porch; the column indicates the presence of the Via Domitia near the village.

The Musée de la vigne et du vin in Saint-Hippolyte displays old equipment and tools used in viticulture. At Font del Port, there are Catalan boats as well as a fishermen’s hut with a museum dedicated to these boats.

Nature

A large protected natural area extends from Saint-Hippolyte towards the Étang within the municipality; Natura 2000 has been established there.

A family-friendly, idyllic walk leads from the village of Saint-Hippolyte and its medieval Château along the Canal Paul Riquet, built between the 17th and 18th centuries and designed by Pierre Paul Riquet, to Font del Port on the Étang de Salses-Leucate.

Surroundings

Castell de Salses, Château Roussillon and Le Castillet are located near Saint-Hippolyte; all three are castles. The Musée d'art Hyacinthe-Rigaud is a museum in the vicinity of Saint-Hippolyte, while Torreilles Plage is a beach in the area.

Dosse Petit is an island in the immediate vicinity of Saint-Hippolyte, while Dosse Gros is an island in the surrounding area. Serrat d'en Vaquer is a peak in the wider regional surroundings of Saint-Hippolyte.

Local

Several fruit and vegetable producers in Saint-Hippolyte sell seasonal fruit and vegetables, fruit juices and jams directly to customers. There is also the Caveau of the Vignerons de Saint-Hippolyte.

Other places: Estavar, Saillagouse, Espira-de-Conflent, Tautavel, Estoher, Matemale, Saint-André, Banyuls-Sur-Mer.

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