Villeneuve-La-Rivière: Holiday apartments and holiday homes

Culture and history

The Église Saint-Jean l'Évangéliste in Villeneuve-la-Rivière is a Romanesque building first mentioned in 976. Alterations in the 17th century gave it its Baroque style, and it contains three altars by Lazar Tremullas. Since 1765, the church has had a centrally arranged floor plan in the shape of a Latin cross; its central dome is considered a rare feature.

The Moulin à eau – Maison de l'Eau de Villeneuve-la-Rivière was built in 988 on the Canal de Vernet et Pia. It was initially used to grind grain and later to produce textiles and oil, as well as to generate electricity. Its historic millstones have been preserved as surviving evidence of its past. The Moulin de Villeneuve-la-Rivière is the last surviving mill on the Canal de Vernet et Pia.

Les Rendez-vous culturels offer a free weekend of events every October, featuring exhibitions, talks, music and a storytelling event at the Espace Noé.

Those choosing Villeneuve-la-Rivière as a travel destination may wish to rent a holiday apartment.

Water and landscape

The Ruisseau de Baho, the oldest watercourse in Villeneuve-la-Rivière's canal system, was created in 1027. The Canal de Vernet et Pia continues to irrigate the area's farmland around Villeneuve-la-Rivière. Over the course of history, a number of mills for food and textile production were built on the Canal de Baho near Villeneuve-la-Rivière.

The Ecoparc Catalan extends across the municipalities of Baixas, Calce, Pézilla-la-Rivière and Villeneuve-la-Rivière and has had 35 operational wind turbines since 2015.

Activities and events

The Escape Game Ecoparc app offers an adventure in Villeneuve-la-Rivière centred on a sunken treasure. The Le Canal route follows the canal and then connects to the Es Têt greenway, where visitors can walk or cycle along the Têt.

Villeneuve-la-Rivière's August programme includes a pétanque competition and a nighttime guided tour of the village by the Parvi association. Memoria is a three-day programme of events featuring talks, exhibitions, music, culinary offerings and a literary walk.

On 23 June, Villeneuve-la-Rivière celebrates the Catalan festival of Saint-Jean. The focus of the celebrations in the village square is the flame lit at the summit of Canigou.

Markets and festivals

The Marché Art Terre market brings local producers and craftspeople together in the village square for a festive and lively market. Citrus fruits are sold at the Fête de l'orange; the event also features producer stalls, a celebratory meal and musical entertainment.

Other places: Felluns, Enveitg, Ortaffa, Clara, Saleilles, Prunet-Et-Belpuig, Prades, Taulis

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