De bedste landevejsruter omkring Coustouges

fra den franske side en jævn stigning til passet

A pass that is not too difficult to climb and offers a magnificent landscape when crossing the border at the summit.

Sant Llorenc de la muga is considered one of the most beautiful towns in Catalonia and is always worth a visit!

It is a mountain pass located at an altitude of 1,513 metres, on the border between France and Spain, connecting Vallespir (France) with Ripollès (Catalonia, Spain). It is a historic and strategic place, used for centuries as a trade route and also during the Retirada (1939), when thousands of refugees crossed the pass fleeing the Spanish Civil War. Today, it is a popular hiking spot and offers spectacular panoramic views of the Pyrenees.

It was built on the ruins of an old medieval watchtower to reinforce the defence of the Vallespir after the Treaty of the Pyrenees, which established the border between France and Spain. The fort was designed to withstand prolonged sieges, with food stores and a structure capable of protecting both the garrison and the village. A curiosity is that, for centuries, the inhabitants of Prats-de-Mollo could take refuge in the fort in case of invasions, going up through the underground tunnels. In addition to its military use, the fort has also been the scene of festivals and cultural events, such as the celebration of the Fête de l'Ours (Bear Festival), a local tradition that symbolises the struggle between man and nature.

Built in the 17th century by order of Vauban, Louis XIV's military engineer, to defend the border with Spain after the signing of the Treaty of the Pyrenees in 1659, the fortress is situated on a hill above the village, offering strategic views. It has underground tunnels that connect to the village and was key to the control of the region.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLKV5Y7mv40 The town keeps alive many Catalan traditions, such as the Bear Festival (La Fête de l'Ours), which is celebrated every year in February. This festival is one of the oldest and most representative of Pyrenean folklore, symbolizing the struggle between man and nature.

The village has a strong medieval character, with well-preserved walls and a citadel, Fort Lagarde, which dominates the town from above. This fort was built in the 17th century and is an important symbol of border defence during that period.