The Massane Forest
Primeval beech forest above the Mediterranean
One of Europe's southernmost primeval beech forests, in the Albères mountains between Argelès and the Spanish border. Old, hollow trees are left standing to decay in peace, and scientists have been studying the forest for more than half a century.
UNESCO World Heritage
Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe
- World Heritage since
- 2007 (Massane 2021)
- This site
- The Massane Forest
A European series of untouched beech forests. The Massane Forest in the Albères mountains above Argelès-sur-Mer is one of the French components: one of the southernmost primeval beech forests in Europe, close to the Mediterranean.
Visit: The forest is a strict nature reserve. Hike there from the Col de l’Ouillat or Argelès and stay on the paths.
42.4760° N, 3.0250° E
Nearby
- Tour Madeloc & Route des Crêtes5 km · A watchtower with views over the whole coast
- Fort Saint-Elme7 km · A star fort above Collioure
- Argelès-sur-Mer & Le Racou7 km · Where the sand ends and the rocks begin
- Collioure7 km · The jewel of the Côte Vermeille
- Port-Vendres8 km · A fishing port with real everyday life
- Banyuls-sur-Mer9 km · Sweet wines and an underwater trail
- Anse de Paulilles9 km · A swimming cove by the old dynamite factory
- The snorkelling trail at Peyrefite11 km · France's first marine nature reserve