• Vallée de l’Agly

    • Vallée de l'Agly

    In the east of the Pyrenees, near the Mediterranean, the river Agly forms a valley that stretches from west to east. This clearly rural territory offers a wide range of landscapes and panoramic views, especially the Gorges of Galamus, the forests of holm oaks, the chalky cliffs, Agly Lake, Roussillon Plain as well as some Mediterranean lagoons.

    Those natural sites mix with the main distinguishing marks of Agly Valley: its landscape and its wine-making activity. The geological diversity of these areas, the long tradition of cooperative societies, together with the three certificates of origin (Maury, Rivesaltes and Côtes Roussillon Villages) have turned this region into a prestigious enotourism destination that has a lot to offer: wine routes and tastings, visit of wine cellars, walks through the vineyards, etc.

    History is another important attraction of the territory, partly because it is a border area between the Treaty of Corbières and the Treaty of the Pyrenees. It is said that the valley allows Vallée de l’Agly all year round! you to revive different historical periods throughout 450,000 years. The landscape hosts several witnesses of the past such as prehistoric dolmens, chapels and churches, guard towers, border posts, Cathar castles, etc.

    These elements of historic interest are enhanced by a rich heritage linked to rural and wine-making activities: shepherd huts, dry stone walls, historical trails, etc. Regarding heritage and sustainable mobility, the Train Rouge (Red Train) is a very singular option. This tourist train follows the old railway that used to link Rivesaltes to Carcasonne. With a great number of craftspeople and local markets, gastronomy is also quite mouthwatering. Seasonal fruit and vegetables, goat cheese, honey, olive oils, figs, the famous Roussillon apricots and the delicious jams are just a few examples of the gastronomic wealth of the Agly Valley.

    Tourist equipment

    Train Rouge (Red Train)
    The current journey between Rivesaltes and St. Martin-Lys rimes with vineyard landscapes, viaducts, canyons, … and access to a series of natural and cultural sites.
    Further information: www.letrainrouge.fr

    Museum of the Man in Tautavel
    The site retells the history of humanity in Europe since the first Europeans through some examples of the area that lies near Tautavel, especially the discovery of Tautavel people (450,000 years ago).
    Further information: 450000ans.com/?lang=es

    Royal Fortresses of the Cathar Country
    Deeply settled in the reliefs of the Corbières region and accessible via Agly valley and the Train Rouge, Quéribus, Peyrepertuse and Puilaurens castles and their impressive profiles emerge out of the landscapes.
    Further information: www.agly-tourisme.fr/les-chateaux-cathares and www.tourismefenouilledes.com/en

    Rivesaltes Memorial
    This impressive memorial is a real reference of the history linked to forced internment and displacement in France since 1941. The site hosted Spanish republicans, foreign Jews, French gipsies, etc.
    Further information:www.memorialcamprivesaltes.eu/41-page-en-espagnol.htm

    Tasting cellars
    There are different ways to taste the delicious wines of the valley: in some of the many cellars that are open to the public, during the activities focused on local gastronomy or in an introductory workshop to wine tasting.
    Further information: www.agly-tourisme.fr/le-vignoble and www.tourismefenouilledes.com

    Galamus Hermitage – St Paul de Fenouillet
    The troglodyte hermitage of Saint-Antoine de Galamus was directly carved in the rock, next to the gorges, in the 12th century. Originally, there was only one cave. The chapel was built in 1782. Free entrance.
    Further information: www.gorgesdegalamus.fr

    Fenouillet Castle
    These are the only Cathar vestiges that remained unchanged after the annexation of the French crown. The archaeological excavations carried out since 1986 have brought to light a monastery dedicated to Saint Peter. Free entrance.
    Further information: www.agly-tourisme.fr/le-vignoble y www.tourismefenouilledes.com

    Most identifiable geographical areas
    and elements

    • Castle of Saint-Pierre de Fenouillet
    • Chapitre-collegiate church of Saint Paul de Fenouillet
    • Ansignan Aqueduct Bridge
    • Museum of Man of Tautavel
    • Castle-museum of Belesta
    • Castles of Latour de France and the Vivier
    • Watchtowers (Tautavel, Prats de Sournia, Rasiguères)
    • Hermitages and chapels (Saint-Vincent,
    • Notre-Dame-de-Pène, etc.)
    • Chapel Notre-Dame de Laval- classified altarpiece
    • Dolmens
    • Border terminals – Treaty of the Pyrenees – Corbeil
    • Puilaurens Castle
    • Rivesaltes Memorial
    • Reservoir on Agly
    • Mediterranean ponds and lagoons
    • Boucheville Forest
    • Gorges of Galamus
    • Gorges of Gouleyrous (or Verdouble)
    • Corbières massif
    • Limestone canyons
    • Agly Valley
    • Vineyard landscapes
    • Garrigas
    • Roussillon Plain
    • Agly River

    Move around the Vallée de l'Agly without your car

    List of transport for sustainable mobility within the territory

    Vallée de l’Agly all year round!