Set on a hill in the heart of the Agly Valley, Latour-de-France enjoys an amphitheatre-like setting. The village is best explored through its border history and traces of its defences; at the same time, hiking and mountain biking trails lead out into the surrounding countryside. Two questions can help with your planning: would you like to focus on historic buildings and the character of the village, or should trails, the Agly and wine shape your stay?
Hiking between vineyards and the valley
Latour-de-France has two named hiking trails: “La Tourèze mystérieuse” and “Les bords de l'Agly”. “Le Chemin de Saint-Martin” follows a specific route: it leads through vineyards up to the Chapelle Saint-Martin and then through a valley with capitelles and tree ferns. The chapel is now privately owned; take this into account when planning your visit. This gives you a way to understand the route through its landscape and course, without assuming that a visit to the chapel is guaranteed. Fishing is possible along the Agly in Latour-de-France. The Tinei watercourse is also among the local excursion and leisure options.
Border history and historic buildings
The street layout and the architecture of some houses reflect a village built to defend against attacks, a purpose shaped by its location on the border. A boundary marker recalls the former border between the kingdoms of France and Aragon. It was erected after the Treaty of Corbeil-Barcelona in 1258 to mark the boundary. Until 1659, the year of the Treaty of the Pyrenees, Latour-de-France was the first French commune beyond Roussillon.
The history of the buildings also preserves several layers of the past. The Chapelle Saint-Martin dates from the 13th century, and its enclosure from the 14th century. By decree of 23 August 1994, the chapel, together with the remains of the enclosure, the fortified gate and the ground within the enclosure, was listed as a historic monument. The present-day bell tower preserves traces of an earlier lookout tower, which was connected to the castle and served as a defensive post. The present church was built in the 17th century to replace an older church destroyed during the Thirty Years' War. These sites offer different ways to explore local history, from border boundaries and defence to changes in religious buildings.
Mountain biking and wine
For a cycling trip, the difficult 22.0-kilometre mountain bike route “Autour de la frontière de 1258” is listed, with its starting point in Latour-de-France. The route passes between vineyards and garrigue across gentle slopes, with stops in three villages. Its length and stated difficulty are useful details for planning your ride. The “Autour de la frontière” mountain bike loop is also listed in Latour-de-France.
Wine is also part of the local character. Since 2009, Domaine des Mathouans has followed organic and biodynamic growing principles and uses natural winemaking methods. Domaine Les Arabesques offers tours and tastings by appointment; sales at the estate are also by appointment. Domaine Tribouley offers tastings and cellar-door sales by appointment. At Domaine Giocanti, tastings, sales at the estate and tours are available by appointment only. Arrange your visit in advance. This lets you choose between a stay focused on trails and local history and a planned winery visit.
Discover more destinations: Osséja, Pia, Arboussols, Bourg-Madame, Claira, Montesquieu-Des-Albères, Saint-Laurent-De-Cerdans, Vinça
For the broader travel overview: Pyrénées-Orientales.
