Palalda Old Village
Perched on a rocky spur directly above the spa town, Palalda is the older, quieter half of the commune and feels like a completely different world. Its narrow cobbled lanes, Romanesque church and flower-draped stone houses have changed little since the Middle Ages.
A living medieval village
The Église Saint-Martin de Palalda, dating from the 11th century, anchors the village square and its bell tower can be spotted from the valley below. The interior retains a gilded Baroque altarpiece typical of Catalan Roussillon craftsmanship — it's unlocked most mornings and entry is free.
Wander the Carrer Major and you'll find artists' studios and a tiny pottery workshop where local ceramicists work in the Catalan tradition. The village has quietly become a small arts colony, with summer exhibitions held in the old wash-house.
The view and the climb
A steep footpath from the spa town's upper streets reaches Palalda in about 20 minutes on foot, rewarding you with sweeping views over the Tech valley and the forested ridges of the Albères. The path is signed from the Pont Romain car park.
The village also marks the start of several marked hiking trails into the surrounding chestnut and cork-oak forest. Trail maps are pinned to the notice board beside the church, and the routes are graded for all fitness levels.
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