Bages is a commune in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, in the Occitanie region, 12 km south of Perpignan (not to be confused with Bages, commune in Aude).
Its territory of 12 km² belongs historically and culturally to the former province of Roussillon.
Crossed by several rivers (the Réart, the Agouille, the Dilouby), the locality was surrounded by marshy areas which were drained from the 12th century onwards by the Templars.
It then became suitable for agriculture, remaining nowadays always green, 66% covered with cultivated land (dedicated mainly to fruit production).
Already inhabited during Roman Antiquity, the village itself developed from the Middle Ages, under the impetus of the Templars. Bages came under the chapter of Elne in the 12th century and then became the seat of a secular lordship.
Benefiting from the proximity of Perpignan, the village experienced a demographic boom in the 19th and 20th centuries. Now, the town has nearly 4,500 inhabitants.
Between the sea and the mountains, and at the gates of Spain, Bages is a town with character whose leisure offer should be taken into account during a stay in the Roussillon plain.
In terms of heritage, the Saint-André church was mentioned as early as the 10th century. The current building dates for its oldest parts from the 11th century but has been the subject of numerous enlargements and alterations. Access to the original nave with a barrel vault broken by a portal in pink marble. The chevet, which ends in a semi-circular apse, was raised by the Templars for defensive purposes. Moreover, the Romanesque base church is surrounded by houses, the whole formerly constituting the "cellera", that is to say the center of the town where the peasants took refuge during the troubles.
Within the apse, there is also a beautiful baptismal font on which appears the cross of the Templars. Another singularity, a tower was erected in 1846 which adjoins the church. It is a republican and secular bell tower with brick edges which has a clock on a wrought iron frame. It somehow coexists with the bell tower of the church itself.
Also worth seeing in the north-west of the territory are the remains of the former Saint-Jean de Réart monastery and the castle founded by the monks of the chapter.
The other notable heritage element of Bages is the Casa Carrère. Composed of two floors, it was built from 1954 by a winegrower and merchant, François Carrère, who wanted to call on stonemasons to adorn the exteriors. The very spectacular complex, first a dwelling house, housed a museum of naive art in the 1990s, the collections of which have since been transferred to the Yvelines. In 2007, acquired by the city, the Casa Carrère has become a cultural space hosting exhibitions, artists in residence and its garden can give rise to outdoor concerts. Information in town hall on +33 4 68 21 71 25.
On the cultural level again, the locality has a media library where activities, meetings and readings are regularly offered. Contact +33 4 68 21 67 15.
Finally, a space is dedicated to association events. Information on +33 4 68 21 67 15.
For sports enthusiasts, the Louis Noguères sports hall, the stadium or even the bowling alley and tennis courts are accessible (the latter to be reserved with the club on +33 6 61 11 19 26). In addition, at a place called "Els Termigets", a pump track composed in particular of bumps and banked turns is dedicated to fans of mountain biking, BMX, skateboarding, rollerblading and scooters...
All that remains is to discover and enjoy the surrounding landscapes. Arboreal crops, paths following the rivers and other plots of vines can mark out pleasant hikes (on foot or mountain bike via secure routes). Larger loops also connect Bages to Perpignan or to the beaches of the near coast. Maps and information on +33 4 68 51 52 53.
Finally, this typical environment of Roussillon lends itself to beautiful horseback riding: if necessary, join the equestrian center of "Bages horse riding" on +33 6 14 51 49 30.
On Tuesday and Friday mornings, the market showcases local products and Roussillon gastronomy.
At the end of April, traditional festivities of Sant Jordi.
End of June, fires of Saint John.
In mid-October, St. Andrew's Day.
In October, Oktoberfest.