A Pearl in the Albères
Sorède has always been home for us; it's where we grew up. We think it's one of the most beautiful towns in the Albères, truly a pearl.
Lying right at the foot of the mountains, with two small valleys that lead right into them, it offers some of the most beautiful views in the whole region. You can even see the sea from here.
Views from Chateau Notre-Dame
One of our favorite spots is near the small chapel and the ruins of Chateau du Terrat, up at the Chateau Notre-Dame. The walk up takes about an hour from the village.
There's a barbecue area in front of the church where people can have lunch or dinner, and there's always wood available. You're surrounded by the sound of cowbells from the farm's cows grazing in the mountains.
From here, you get a breathtaking view. You can see the sea on the right, the plain du Roussillon, and even the buildings of Perpignan. To the left, the Pyrenees rise, including the big mountain called Canigou.
Celebrations and Petanque
A friend once celebrated his 30th birthday up at Chateau Notre-Dame. We all walked up for lunch, made a big barbecue, played music, and enjoyed the amazing food like fish, meat, and beautiful salads. Of course, we drank a lot of wine and played petanque.
That day was a wonderful memory, with people enjoying everything, and that breathtaking view of the region.
The Feu de la Saint-Jean
The Chateau Notre-Dame isn't just for gatherings; it's part of a yearly tradition. People from town go up there on weekends and holidays, and once a year, there's a special procession.
They come down from the Chateau Notre-Dame with lanterns and burning sticks of wood to the village. Then, they make a big fire in the village, with another barbecue and sausages, bringing the whole town together.
This celebration is called le feu de la Saint-Jean. It's an old tradition that Sorède holds each year. The town mayor, le maire du village, gives a speech, and there are fireworks.
It's a strong feeling of community, seeing your neighbors, sharing bread, and just eating with each other. It's what makes Sorède a great town.
Community and Resilience
Next to the Chateau Notre-Dame, there's also a special place that housed the first solar oven in the area. When the sun hits it, it's just amazing.
We have two beautiful valleys, one with a river where you can swim. The other is called la vallée Heureuse, where our parents live.
Our community is small, and people really help each other. A few years ago, when the Vallée heureuse had a major flood and bridges were damaged, the town came together to help. The town provided drinking water, showing how deep-rooted our community is.
Published September 23, 2026