Espira-de-l'Agly is a commune in the Pyrénées-Orientales, in the Occitanie region, 12 km north-west of Perpignan.
Its territory of 26 km² extends from 26 to 458 m above sea level, in the Roussillon plain, bordered to the north-west by the first peaks of the Corbières massif.
Most of the land is however located in the plain crossed by the course of the Agly along which the village developed from the year 1000. However, the site of Espira had already previously been occupied during Prehistory then by the Greeks, the Phoenicians and finally the Romans.
A first church was built at the beginning of the second millennium, then a priory was established which was then protected by King Alfonso I of Aragon. The village will long remain modest, however, and oriented towards agriculture.
Today, 60% of the land is still cultivated (vineyards, orchards) but the town has benefited from the growth of the Perpignan agglomeration and has 3,500 inhabitants. Its heritage at the heart of a preserved living environment, its environment and its leisure offer, near the sea and the mountains, make it a very pleasant stopover.
The Sainte-Marie church is the jewel of the local heritage, built in the 12th century in a Romanesque style on the foundations of a primitive building of Carolingian inspiration. The church amazes by its dimensions (43 m long) and its rectangular shape. The five-bay nave is flanked by two small semicircular apses and ends with an open choir. We notice an imposing square bell tower with Lombard arches. Two doors are located to the south of the building. One of them overlooked the priory buildings which have now disappeared, but the cloister has been partially reconstructed at the Toledo Museum (in the United States), the second is the main portal. It is framed by beautifully carved marble columns.
Inside, other columns with capitals decorated with foliage or animal decorations are visible. The fortress-like church also houses several 17th century altarpieces dedicated to Notre-Dame, Saint Antoine or Saint Gaudérique, an 18th century high altar from the Grands Augustins convent in Perpignan, quality furniture and statuary and even a treasure made up of reliquaries.
Next, still in the village, see the former monastery of Notre-Dame des Anges, founded in the 19th century to accommodate Trappistine nuns and which now houses a private college, and, in a very different kind, market halls contemporary architecture inaugurated in 2019.
Somewhat upstream from the village, the remains of a medieval bridge (13th century) spanning the course of the Agly, then built on the foundations of a first Roman bridge, worth a look.
On the cultural side, activities are regularly offered at the library (contact +33 4 68 64 17 53) and shows and concerts scheduled in the village hall (same number).
For athletes, a bowling alley, a skate park, a fitness trail, stadiums are accessible to visitors, and you can book a tennis court at the local club (call +33 6 80 83 10 70).
In another genre, it is also possible from the municipality to take the "Train du Pays cathare et Fenouillèdes", also known as "Red train", which connects Rivesaltes (neighboring town of Espira) to Axat, in the 'Aude. In good weather, open-top cars are available. Between vineyards, valleys and relief of the Corbières, a mosaic of landscapes is offered to passengers. Count at most (depending on the chosen arrival station) 120 km round trip, which fully occupies a day! Information on +33 4 68 20 04 00.
For lovers of hiking, many marked routes allow you to discover and enjoy the unique environment of the locality, between the plain and its vineyards (tastings possible in the cellars), the wooded plots announcing the Corbières and the first summit, the highest point of the locality (Mont d'Espira, at 455 m above sea level).
Other loops are possible along the course of the Agly to get closer to the Mediterranean coast (the beaches are 10 km away). Maps and information on +33 4 68 29 10 42.
Finally, note that horseback riding on these same trails can be done: join the Agly equestrian center on +33 6 60 42 79 76.
