FRANCE: GORGES DE LA FOU AND COUSTOUGES

Les Gorges de la Fou are located two kilometres beyond Arles sur Tech, on the road from Le Boulou to Prats de Mollo, and thence to the frontier with Catalonia.

La Fou is an old Catalan word meaning precipice, but when you first arrive, you have no idea of the amazing sheerness of the walls of this gorge, It is said to be the narrowest gorge in the world, and in some parts the walls are only about 1 meter apart, with a depth of between 200 and 250 meters. The gorge stretches for about 1739 meters and the constructed metal passageway allows to walk 1500 meters of its length. There is an incline of about 9% giving a rise of 157 meters from the beginning of the walk to its end.

Gorges de la Fou

Les Gorges de la Fou stretch for about 1739 meters and the constructed metal passageway allows to walk 1500 meters of its length

A narrow point of Les Gorges de la Fou

Metal passageway over Les Gorges de la Fou

The metal passageway passes over the stream throughout its length

Small waterfall I saw walking along Les Gorges de la Fou in the Pyrenees. It is the constant flow of this stream that has cut the gorge, and the numerous galleries and caves.

A butterfly flapping its wings on a violet flower at the end of Les Gorges de la Fou in France

Les Gorges de la Fou in France

Coustouges

After visiting Les Gorges de la Fou, we went to the border medieval village of Coustouges, a haven of peace and beauty. It sits at the valley head, tucked into the mountains 832m above sea level with a view down into Spain (south Catalonia). It has all the accoutrements of modern life while retaining its traditions.

The beautiful medieval village of Coustouges, a border village in the Pyrenees between France and Catalonia

Apse of the romanesque church of Coustouges

Doorway of the romanesque church of Coustouges

Apse and bell tower of the romanesque church of Coustouges

The original doorway of the romanesque church of Coustouges has four richly sculpted columns and capitals in travertine stone

Typical stone house beside the romanesque church of Coustouges

Near Les Gorges de la Fou,  I strongly recommend visiting:

• Collioure, Elne and Perpignan
• Carcassonne
• Canal du Midi and Pays Cathare
• Villefranche de Conflent

Also in France, in 2009, I spent some days in Paris. You can see some pictures of these days in Paris clicking on the links below:

• First day in Paris (Les Champs Elysées)
• Second day in Paris (La Tour Eiffel and Montmartre)
• Third day in Paris (Le Grand Louvre and Île de la Cité)
• Fourth day in Paris (Les Invalides and Musée d'Orsay)
• Fifth day in Paris (Le Panthéon and Nôtre Dame)
• Sixth day in Paris (Jardin du Luxembourg and La Villette)
• Seventh day in Paris (Versailles)
• Eighth day in Paris (La Défense)

In the Pyrenees of Catalonia you can also visit the following places:

• Aigüestortes National Park (Boí area)
• Aigüestortes i Llac de Sant Maurici National Park (Espot area)
• Vall de Núria
• Vall de Camprodon
• Camprodon and Setcases
• Ripoll Monastery
• Olot-Vall de'n Bas
• Port del Comte
• La Seu d'Urgell
• Castellar de N'Hug and Fonts del Llobregat
• Puigcerdà