Argelès-sur-Mer, Administrative district in southern Occitania, France
Argelès-sur-Mer is a commune in the Pyrénées-Orientales department on the Mediterranean coast near the Spanish border. It sits between the sea and the first slopes of the Albères range, with several kilometers of sandy shore and forested areas further inland.
During World War II, this area became an internment site where Spanish Republican refugees were held after crossing the border. After the war ended, the commune grew into a seaside resort with hotels and holiday camps along the waterfront.
The name comes from Catalan roots, and locals often switch between French and regional language in daily conversation. Rugby matches draw crowds to neighborhood cafés, where people gather on weekend afternoons to follow the home team.
The commune lies roughly ten kilometers southeast of Collioure and can be reached via coastal roads. Summer months are busy, so visiting in spring or autumn means quieter beaches and fewer crowds.
A pine forest along the beach was planted in the 1860s and now covers several hectares near the shore. These trees protect the dunes from wind and offer shade for walkers following the coastal paths.
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