Gorges de Galamus
Coordinates: 42 ° 50 ′ 9 ″ N , 2 ° 28 ′ 50 ″ E
Located in France , which are the Gorges de Galamus (in German: Gorges of Galamus) a narrow passage between the departments of Aude and Pyrénées-Orientales .
Geological context
The Agly , which flows at the bottom of the gorges , is a small river that comes from Pech de Bugarach and has dug this several tens of meters deep depression in the stone. He dug the Fossé de la Fou further south through another limestone barrier. The gorges themselves are formed by a rare geological type of rock that has arisen from spring water.
The agly is fed by numerous springs and other underground water tributaries, some of which are warm (27 ° C) and which can be found along the gorges. The abundant inflow (150 l / s) ensures that the village of Saint-Paul-de-Fenouillet can draw water below the gorges.
Geologically, the gorges consist of limestone and dolomites from the Black Jurassic to the Cretaceous Period (between −205 and −108 million years). These stones formed a rough and moving relief.
Geographical position
The Galamus Gorges are located between the communes of Cubières-sur-Cinoble (in the Aude department) and Saint-Paul-de-Fenouillet (in the Pyrénées-Orientales department). The gorges spread over a distance of 2 km in a north-south direction. They are located 38 km northwest / west of Perpignan and 7.5 km west of Peyrepertuse Castle on the route of the Kathererschlösser .
Notable places
The Gorges de Galamus are a national park that offers a variety of surprises.
View of the Canigou
At the exit of the gorges in the south in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, there is a panoramic view of the Pic du Canigou , the highest mountain peak in the department.
The Hermitage of Saint-Antoine
This hermitage has existed since the 7th century. Initially reduced to a single grotto , today there is a chapel at this location, which was built on the rock face of the gorges. A variety of junipers , more than 500 years old, hang from the rocks and jut over the stairs that lead down to the inner courtyard. The chapel was built in 1782 after a "miracle". As a result of this miracle, many residents of Saint Paul de Fenouillet were saved from a special form of gangrene (tissue necrosis that caused profuse sweating) by the protection of Saint-Antoine. Since that day a plane tree has been floating, surrounded by stones, with almost no water. It has grown a lot today and provides shade for visitors.
The site was rebuilt by the Franciscans in the 15th century. It has become a traditional place of pilgrimage on Easter Monday for the Occitans and on Whit Monday for southern Occitania and Catalonia .
The Hermitage has served as the location for the following films:
- China my pain (Jean Vigo Prize) in 1989 ,
- The Ninth Gate by Roman Polanski in 1998 .
The road above the gorge
The very narrow road D10 runs through the Gorges de Galamus (D7 in the area of the municipality of St Paul de Fenouillet).
Exploring the gorge
By car
You can drive through the gorge practically all year round. This place is frequented a lot, sometimes too much, in summer. The narrowness of the road creates major problems for traffic. As a result, the flow of traffic on the road is regulated in the months of July and August. The traffic is routed alternately as a one-way street over a distance of 1.5 km.
Due to the narrowness of the road, it is impossible to turn in the area of the gorge. The clearance height is approved for 2.70 meters, the vehicle width for 2 meters.
Using canyoning
The descent of the Agly River by canyoning is possible and very beautiful. However, the descent is regulated: it is allowed every year from April 1st to November 1st between 9am and 5pm and requires a declaration to the town hall of Cubières-sur-Cinoble , which is at least 24 hours for individuals and at least for groups Must be handed in 1 hour in advance. Safety equipment is required.
The descent by canyoning starts from Cubières sur Cinoble in the area of the L'Oule car park and ends under the Belvédère car park on the Saint Paul de Fenouillet side.
On foot
The best way to explore the course of the Gorges de Galamus on foot or to take a circular route that gives impressive views of the gorges and their surroundings.