Prats-de-Mollo-la-Preste, commune in Pyrénées-Orientales, France
Prats-de-Mollo-la-Preste is a small town in the Pyrenees with narrow winding streets and old stone buildings spread across hillside terrain. The settlement sits between elevations of roughly 700 meters and over 2,300 meters (2,300 feet to 7,500 feet), nestled in forested mountain valleys.
The town was an important medieval settlement protected by strong fortification walls and Fort Lagarde. These structures were built to defend the strategically positioned location against invaders from neighboring territories.
The name references the thermal springs that have drawn people here for generations. Colorful house facades and narrow winding streets create a space where locals and visitors naturally gather and linger.
The old town is fully walkable due to its compact size spread across slopes, though good walking shoes are needed for steep paved streets. Wandering the lanes on foot is the natural way to explore all the historic buildings and viewpoints.
The thermal station at La Preste taps natural mineral springs long known for their therapeutic properties. Visitors can bathe in these warm waters that flow directly from the mountain slopes.
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