Arles sur Tech

Arles sur Tech lies 3km/2mi southwest of Amélie-les-Bains, with the Puig de l'Estelle (1,778 m/5,834ft) rearing above the little town.

In the center of the town are the remains of an abbey founded around 900.

To the left of the main entrance to the well preserved church are two ancient sarcophagi, one of which dates from the fourth C. A.D. The Late Romanesque/Early Gothic cloister is entered from the north aisle of the church.

Near the abbey is the little aisleless church of St-Sauveur (Early Gothic), with a massive tower.

Upstream are the Gorges de la Fou, first completely explored in 1926. A stretch 1,400 m/1,500yd long is open to visitors. At some points the gorge is no more than a meter wide.