Corneilla-del-Vercol is a commune in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, in the Occitanie region, 9 km southeast of Perpignan.
Its relatively small territory (5.4 km²) falls within the former province of Roussillon, which today has become, under the name "Plaine du Roussillon", a fertile agricultural region bordering the coast.
In fact, close to Perpignan but also to the seaside resorts of Saint-Cyprien and Canet, the locality crossed by the course of the Agouille de la Mer, a drainage canal linking Bages to the Canet pond, presents still a rural landscape. Corneilla-del-Vercol is thus covered by meadows (40% of its surface area) and agricultural areas (38%). There are notably a number of wine estates there.
Already occupied in Antiquity (its name refers to a Gallo-Roman villa managed by a certain Victor), the village developed in the Middle Ages as some of its heritage elements of Romanesque origin still attest. Since the 1990s, the town has experienced demographic growth and now has nearly 2,500 inhabitants. We will appreciate its leisure offerings and the character of the historic heart of the village during a stay on the edge of the Côte Vermeille.
In terms of heritage, several sites deserve to be mentioned. This is the case of the Saint-Christophe parish church, rebuilt in 1884 on the site of a Romanesque place of worship which had become cramped. It preserves several beautifully crafted statues representing Saint James and Saint Peter (19th century) and Saint Christopher (18th century). There is also visible a beautiful processional cross from the 17th century, in silver.
Next to see is Corneilla Castle, built in the 14th and 16th centuries and remodeled in the 19th century. It is an ancient feudal fortress located on an eminence which allowed the Roussillon plain to be monitored. The primitive village developed around this stronghold. The complex, made up of massive buildings with a residential vocation or now dedicated to working in the vineyard, has belonged for centuries to the same family, the Jonquères d'Oriola. One of its members, Pierre Jonquères d'Oriola (1920-2011), was a great rider, gold medalist in show jumping several times at the Olympic Games. Like his parents and now his children, he managed the wine estate of which the castle is now the center. Visit to the cellars and tastings. Information on +33 4 68 22 73 22.
Then head to the north-east of the town and the prettily named Sainte-Marie-du-Paradis chapel. The building of Romanesque origin was remodeled in the 19th century and then restored in the 20th century. A small building is attached to it: it was the home of a hermit considered to be a wise man whom the inhabitants willingly came to consult from the 18th to the 19th century. Since then, urbanization has meant that the chapel is no longer isolated from daily life and its worries... We will appreciate, despite an initially modest architecture, the exposed stones, the doors and the bays at the brick frames, the rose window surmounting the portal and the bell tower. In addition, buttresses support the building.
On the cultural side, shows and association events are regularly scheduled at the village hall (contact at the town hall on +33 4 68 22 12 62) or at the MJC Trobad (information on +33 6 72 38 56 47). In addition, activities (readings, meetings) are offered at the library (contact +33 4 68 56 80 65).
For sports enthusiasts, a football and rugby field, tennis courts and a bowling alley are accessible.
The town of Corneilla-del-Vercol is finally proving to be a major hub for hiking enthusiasts. In addition to the possibility of discovering the countryside surrounding the village via pony rides (contact the club on +33 6 81 84 72 49), a network of greenways allows cyclists, in particular, to travel in a safe and serene manner through the bucolic landscapes of the plain. That of Agouille de la Mer which runs along the canal is accessible from the village and joins the coastline. It is connected to the link leading to Saint-Cyprien, to that heading towards Lake Raho to the west and its leisure center, and finally to EuroVélo 8 (also known as the “Mediterranean bicycle circuit”) which runs along the seaside.
And in total, seven hiking trails are traced in the town and its neighbors. The opportunity to reach the beaches but also to take an interest in the local vineyards with tasting breaks…
Maps and information on +33 4 68 37 30 60.
The second Saturday in June, garage sale.
The third Friday in June, in the evening, Midsummer bonfires.
In mid-July, over two days, patronal festival with fairground attractions, parades, gourmet entertainment and evening ball.
The first Saturday in September, association festival.
The first Sunday in October, horse festival.
The last weekend of October, exhibition of amateur artists from the town.
