4, Rue des Fabriques
66690 Sorède
Tel. 04 68 89 04 50

Free guided tours
From Monday to Friday
From 8h45 to 11h45 and 13h30 to 16h30
The workshop is closed in August
Shop : from Monday to Thursday

A unique craft in the world… A visit not to be missed !
This heritage craft work has been practiced since the 18th century and is unique in the world … equestrian and hunting equipment with the renown « Perpignan Whip » made from wood from the hackberry tree (from the elm family) and cultivated since the 13th century.
All the articles for sale are hand made by handicapped workers.

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The heart and soul of Sorède…

We haven’t abandoned this wonderful place because you could call us a little bohemian as well.  Pious pilgrims and tourists hungry for emotions also make the same rendez-vous… Extract from « history of Notre-Dame du château » Part 2
The visit of this place full of serenity and loaded with history is something not to be missed.  To get there you have to take a foot path that has been trodden by the feet of people for centuries visiting the Virgin Mary, the « Madone d’Ultréra » praying for a blessing. Nestled in the mountains and shaded by chestnut trees, the hermitage offers a grandiose panoramic view.  Picnic or meditate in the beauty of the surroundings in a haven of peace.  The more sporty amongst you can visit the ruins of the Ultréra château or  dwell on the remains of the first French solar oven installed in 1900 by the Portuguese scientist, Padre Himalaya.

Walking time about 1h30
Accessible by car
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…Following the  tracks of  « PADRE HIMALAYA »
When the past meets the present…Or the story of a sorcerer ? A spy ? Or a forerunner ?…

It’s a « strange story » starting in the spring of 1900 just a few minutes from the hermitage of « Notre-Dame du Château », in the area known as « El Coll del Buc ».
A Portuguese scientist decided to install strange instruments to make « enigmatic » experiments of the condensation from the sun’s rays.  Sorcery  ? Spying ? A few months after his arrival the mysterious stranger quickly leaves the area taking his secret with him.  The remains of the first solar oven in the world, the circular concrete rails where the machine pivoted as well as the remains of the platform built in dry stone by the said « spy », can still be seen today. Survivals of this «strange story» forgotten in the passing of the years.

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BP 15
66690 Sorède
Tel. 04 68 95 50 50 / 06 14 14  06 76
Opening times
From March to May : 10h
From June to August : 9h
September : 10h
From October to mid November : 11h to 15h
Duration of visit : 1h30
Open 7/7

Introducing the Valley of the Tortoises in Sorède, near  Perpignan in the Albères mountains.
Unique in the Catalonian Pyrénées, near the Mediterranean seaside, the Valley of the Tortoises is a centre for breeding, protecting and conserving breeds as well as presenting tortoises from all over the world to the public.
From the Seychelles Giant to the only French terrestrial tortoise and it’s babies in the nursery, from the monstrous Alligator to the most beautiful tortoise in the world (Radiata de Madagascar ), the tortoise can also be box, crêpe, charcoal, funeral, leper or even leopard…
This northern Catalonian department of the Pyrénées has a history in common with the tortoises. Large groups of tortoises and giant tortoises lived here at the end of the Tertiary period (palaeontological site of Serrat d’en Vaquer, of world scientific interest).
A box made of bone was unearthed in the silt of the Faget brick factory, on the road to Canet in Perpignan as well as fragments of an enormous shell in the alluvium of Mas Belrich near Villeneuve de la Raho.
Throughout the centuries, sculptures immortalise tortoises (the Cloister of Saint-Génis, the font at Arles-sur-Tech, the obelisk at Port-Vendres) and they can be found in northern and southern Catalonia passing through Barcelona and even Figuères… The tortoise can be seen in all it’s forms : fossil, sculpture, symbol and living.

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«The church towers of our villages are privileged witnesses of the life of our forefathers » Joan CAYROL, Catalonian poet.

Ancient chapel of the Sorède stately home, it was probably around 950 that Sureda received the relics of two saints (martyrs of Cordoue in Spain) and became the parish know as « Santi Assiscle de Sureda ».
The parish church appears in documents from 1051. It has been rebuilt several times, in 1400 and 1733 « Populus me fecit 1733 ».  The inscription above the entrance door mentions the date of construction.  Another inscription, situated on the choir archway, indicates the name of the architect as well as the completion date of 1737.
Open to the public, Wednesdays from 16h to 18h and Sundays from 9h30 to 11h.
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Let the ancient stonework talk and listen to their history…

Take the road leading to the Vallée Heureuse. In the area known as AL Martinet, you will find the remains of a Martinet dating from the 18th century.  It was acquired by the town of Sorède  and the major component, the air pump, is unique in the county with it’s construction in stone which can still be seen today.
The continuing renovation is guaranteed by a small handful of « cranks » fascinated by ancient stonework.
You can see a perfect reproduction of a magnificent model at the Olivette Museum which took 1500 hours of work. 
400 m further up the river on the right hand side you can also admire the Forge buildings transformed into a private habitation.

Possibility of guided visits upon reservation
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« Au creux du frais vallon, on s’est assis sur l’herbe. Toilette légère, espadrilles, tout en blanc…Du fond ocre du ru tapissé d’algues mouvantes montent, par salves, des chapelets de bulles…Tapage de cigales, rires et cris des gosses à la gorga d’amont… » Extrait de « Sureda…Fa temps ».

Sources of life, meeting places, sharing secrets, silent  witnesses of bygone days, rivers, wells, fountains, the « Rec Mayral » irrigation canals mark out the lanes and neighbourhoods of our villages.  Sometimes hidden at the bottom of a garden or situated on a lane.  Try and find them like a treasure hunt following the signs « Visite pittoresque de Sorède ».
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Pure Roman art in an oasis of freshness….
« Here, in Saint Martin, the women swept the ancient chapel, decorated the painted altar with red carnations and coloured paper flowers.  Souvenir of the last Pentecost celebrations of Sureda… » Extract from « Sureda..fa temps ».
The valley of St Martin de Montbram Lavall de Sant Marti de Montbram is a passage in the heart of the Albères mountains and was defended in the olden days by the château of Ultréra de Montbram and the Massane tower.  A narrow and picturesque road winds along the «Massane » river to the hamlet of St Martin de Lavall.
In the heart of this truly haven of peace, which has managed to preserve it’s nature, you can do numerous hikes in the Albères and along the « Massane » river.  Swim, picnic and why not try a crêpe?
Visit the St Martin de Lavall which is the pearl of this hamlet.

Visits of the 17th century chapel upon request.
Access strictly controlled during the summer season (Fire hazards).
Information from the Tourist Office.
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Leave your car for a few hours and you will make some real discoveries…

In the throes of being classified world heritage by UNESCO, the Albères mountains has a national forest offering a place ideal for open air or sports enthusiasts as well as the family in an environment beautiful but also fragile.  Far from the bustle of the beaches, enjoy the silence and coolness of the forest with only the songs of the birds to disturb you or by the discreet presence of a « lady » in a white, black or ginger dress, escapee of one of the numerous herds of cows grazing on the meadows near the water sources.  « It’s her odour and the music of the bells that makes the Albères real mountains ». Extract from Bernard RIEU. Our hiking guide proposes five walks for you to enjoy the richness of the vegetation which changes according to the altitude, exposure and humidity (cork oak, holm oak, arbutus, chestnut, beech…)  and the diversity of the Mediterranean flora with about 1700 different plants.
The five hikes range from 350 m to 1100 m in height difference taking your to Puig Naud, Roc de les Medes, Puig des Quatre Termes, Coll de l’Orri, or Puig Neulous on the GR 10 footpath, on the Spanish border, where you can enjoy a remarkable view of the Canigou mountain and the Vermeille coastline.
On route you will pass remains, silent traces of a long gone occupation of the mountains and the forest : Ancient gold mine, fountains (Font de l’Orri, Font dels Miracles), Orris (stone shelters) and snow wells.

For town lovers or enthusiasts of history or ancient stonework, visit the picturesque village with a  1h30 walk ideal for all the family.  Shaded walk with pauses near the river and why not relax on the terrace of a café or restaurant in the village?

Hiking guide for sale at the Tourist Office.
Leaflet of  « discover the village » circuit available at the Tourist Office