Prades

Prades is a sub-prefecture in the Pyrénées-Orientales department of southwestern France, located about 45 kilometers west of Perpignan along the Têt River. The municipal administration sits in the historic town center, where shops, cafés and houses cluster around the central church.

The first written record dates from 843 when Charles the Bald transferred the estate to the abbey of Saint-Michel de Cuxa. French troops fortified the town in the 17th century after its incorporation into the kingdom of France through the Treaty of the Pyrenees in 1659.

The music festival Pablo Casals founded takes place each summer inside the church of Saint-Pierre and draws musicians and listeners from across Europe. The abbey church with its Romanesque bell tower has formed the center of town life for centuries, where locals still gather for the market and daily errands.

The town sits along national road 116 connecting Perpignan to Bourg-Madame and is accessible by train on the Cerdagne line. Parking can be found near the center while most points of interest lie within walking distance.

Pau Casals chose this town as his place of exile in 1939 and refused to travel to countries that recognized Franco's Spain throughout his life. His first post-war concert took place here in 1950 to commemorate Johann Sebastian Bach and established the chamber music festival tradition.

Location: Conflent

Location: Pyrénées-Orientales

Location: Comunidad de comunas Conflent-Canigó

Location: arrondissement of Prades

Elevation above the sea: 400 m

Shares border with: Catllar, Eus, Los Masos, Clara-Villerach, Codalet, Ria-Sirach, Taurinya

Phone: +33468054100

Email: vila.fabienne@mairiedeprades.com

Website: http://prades.com

GPS coordinates: 42.61722,2.42194

Latest update: December 4, 2025 23:43