The Alberes are a smaller range of mountains within the Pyrenees, right on the border between France and Spain. Known as L'Albera Massif in Spanish, it is easy while visiting this part of France to accidentally cross into Spain and back again, just by following one of the old walking trails! Home to stunning scenery and viewpoints, tiny mountain villages and even a number of ancient megaliths, the area has always been popular with hikers, who are well catered for with dozens of marked paths, some suitable for all and others which should only be tackled by those with some hill walking experience. Any local tourist office will be able to provide you with a map, and some advice as to which trail is the best for you.
The town of Le Boulou is the largest in the Alberes and is considered the region's unofficial capital. Home to an 11th century church which features some remarkable sculptures, particularly at the entrance, the town enjoyed a Renaissance in the 19th century as a spa town. Many of the fin de siecle buildings constructed to cater for the influx of tourists are still standing, though modern visitors will have to travel elsewhere in the region if they want to “take the waters”. The town was the setting for a major battle between France and Spain in 1793, mentioned on the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, and has changed hands many times over the centuries. Most locals will speak French and Catalonian, the northern Spanish dialect, and much of the food in this region will also be a mix of the two cultures.
Laroque les Alberes, which gets its name from a huge rocky mountain just outside the town, is one of the most interesting of the smaller mountain villages. Once a fully fortified town, only the ruins of the castle keep now remain, however, the Gothic fortress church of St Felix is still standing, while there are several isolated chapels and hermitages in the surrounding hills. Just south of the village of Sorede are the remains of a fortress built in Roman times. Sited on a large hill, it's not easy to make the climb up to the ruins, but the view is well worth the effort. In Sorede itself, there are several historic chapels, as well as the ruins of the building that used to be the town forge, complete with its solar oven – an ingenious design that concentrates sunlight to create intense heat.
Looking for self catering holiday accommodation in Alberes? Then below is a selection of gites in Alberes and villas in Alberes that can be rented direct from their owners. You can either click on each listing for further details or you can use our search engine on the left if you are looking for something in particular.
