Prats-de-Mollo-la-Preste
General information:
Between wooded canyons and eternal peaks, Prats-de-Mollo-la-Preste awakens in the High Vallespir, like a Catalan postcard full of history and life.
A thousand-year-old enclave at the foot of Mount Canigó
Perched at an altitude of 735 m, just 13 km from the Spanish border, this fortified village, once a royal city, unfolds its charm between the banks of the Tech River and the slopes of the Costabonne. Its cobbled streets, its Romanesque church of Saintes-Juste-et-Sainte-Ruffine, and its medieval walls—remodeled in the 17th century by Vauban—give it a timeless character.
Between ramparts and panoramas
The medieval town, built around the old church and the 17th-century town house, resists monotony. Climbing towards the upper town, you'll discover unspoiled landscapes, patrol paths, watchtowers, and defensive gates sculpted by history. Dominating this setting, Fort Lagarde, a work by Vauban built after the Treaty of the Pyrenees (1659), watches over the valley and offers breathtaking views.
A haven of well-being and tradition
A few kilometers away, the spa resort of La Preste, once a separate village, has established itself as a unique place of healing. Renowned for its therapeutic waters for rheumatology and genitourinary conditions, it guides visitors through relaxation and natural health. Throughout the seasons, ancestral festivals come alive: the Bear Festival, where soot-covered "bears" emerge in the streets, followed by the Bear Ball, as well as Carnival dances.
Preserved Forests and Wild Trails
With an area of over 14,500 hectares, the municipality is one of the largest in France. State-owned forests, hiking trails in the heart of the Canigó massif, and unspoiled nature welcome hikers, mountain bikers, trail runners, and simply outdoor enthusiasts.
How to get there?:
Vallespir
Practical information:
Fort Lagarde
La Preste Thermal Spa
Bear Festival
Porte d'Espagne and Porte de France
Place d'Armes
Church of Saintes-Juste-et-Ruffine
What can't you miss?:
Between wooded canyons and eternal peaks, Prats-de-Mollo-la-Preste awakens in the High Vallespir, like a Catalan postcard full of history and life.
A thousand-year-old enclave at the foot of Mount Canigó
Perched at an altitude of 735 m, just 13 km from the Spanish border, this fortified village, once a royal city, unfolds its charm between the banks of the Tech River and the slopes of the Costabonne. Its cobbled streets, its Romanesque church of Saintes-Juste-et-Sainte-Ruffine, and its medieval walls—remodeled in the 17th century by Vauban—give it a timeless character.
Between ramparts and panoramas
The medieval town, built around the old church and the 17th-century town house, resists monotony. Climbing towards the upper town, you'll discover unspoiled landscapes, patrol paths, watchtowers, and defensive gates sculpted by history. Dominating this setting, Fort Lagarde, a work by Vauban built after the Treaty of the Pyrenees (1659), watches over the valley and offers breathtaking views.
A haven of well-being and tradition
A few kilometers away, the spa resort of La Preste, once a separate village, has established itself as a unique place of healing. Renowned for its therapeutic waters for rheumatology and genitourinary conditions, it guides visitors through relaxation and natural health. Throughout the seasons, ancestral festivals come alive: the Bear Festival, where soot-covered "bears" emerge in the streets, followed by the Bear Ball, as well as Carnival dances.
Preserved Forests and Wild Trails
With an area of over 14,500 hectares, the municipality is one of the largest in France. State-owned forests, hiking trails in the heart of the Canigó massif, and unspoiled nature welcome hikers, mountain bikers, trail runners, and simply outdoor enthusiasts.
How to get there?:
Vallespir
Practical information:
Fort Lagarde
La Preste Thermal Spa
Bear Festival
Porte d'Espagne and Porte de France
Place d'Armes
Church of Saintes-Juste-et-Ruffine
What can't you miss?: