At the heart of the Fenouillèdes massif, on the border of the departments of Aude and the Pyrénées-Orientales, between Cubières-sur-Cinoble and Saint-Paul-de-Fenouillet, the Galamus gorges extend over 2 m, a spectacular natural site with vertiginous limestone cliff faces! Carved out over time by the tumultuous waters of the Agly, this protected area can be admired from the narrow road which traverses the wild countryside, in all its beauty... As photogenic a place as you could hope to find, which you can admire from a specially created belvedere, the Hermitage of St Anthony of Galamus clings to a cliff overlooking the Agly and will delight amateur photographers!
Between April and September, the Galamus gorges, with their little waterfalls and pools, are particularly good for canyoning. This is a fun and pleasant way to explore this marvellous natural heritage.
In the summer, when the gorge road becomes busy, a system of alternating traffic is in place, to make it easier and safer to cross the gorges. There are also electric shuttle buses (Diablines) which go from Cubières-sur-Cinoble and Saint-Paul-de-Fenouillet.
Between Saint-Paul-de-Fenouillet and the village of Cubières-sur-Cinoble is the exceptional site of the gorges of Galamus. Amazing natural heritage that attracts many visitors. In summer, to facilitate the crossing of this site, 3 parkings are arranged with shuttles, it is strongly advised to visit them on foot (4 km round trip). The narrowness of the road inside the parade does not allow the vehicles to cross or to park there: an alternating circulation is instituted from 13h to 19h every day in July and August by a team of animators.
From the car park of the Belvédère a small path leads to the hermitage (10 min) or by a staircase carved in the stone on the other side of the tunnel. The Saint-Antoine hermitage was carved directly into the rock in the 7th century. The hermits, enamored of spiritual life on the model of St. Anthony, settled there throughout the Middle Ages. In the 15th century, the Friars Minor of Saint Francis of Assisi established a chapel dedicated to it. In 1843, the last of the hermits, Father Marie, Joseph Chiron of his real name, settled there and helped to make this sanctuary famous. Short walk without difficulty. A terrace is laid out and you can buy the famous crunchy Saint-Paul-du-Fenouillet.
The canyon of the gorges of Galamus, dug and crossed by the Agly, allows to discover the canyoning. Canyoning is the descent of a river without a boat (by slips, jumps, swimming, walking). All the difficulties (jumps, slides) are avoidable, making it a perfect canyon to discover the activity. However, for thrill-seekers, there is the possibility of several jumps, including one of 7 meters. What makes this canyon ideal to discover this activity with family or friends. It is accessible from 8 years.
