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The Retirada and the Paths of Exile (From Port-Bou to Cerbère)
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Description
In the footsteps of exiles who fled oppression during the Retirada and the war of 1939-45.
Take the train from Cerbère to Port-Bou. Train schedules.From the station, head to the Port-Bou cemetery, where the Walter Benjamin Memorial is located (feel free to enter the cemetery to visit his grave).Face away from the sea and take the stairs to reach the Rambla on the right.At the 'Voramar' restaurant, turn left and walk along the beach to join the GR-92 coastal trail.At this point, turn left and follow the path to the Col des Belitres.Cross over and continue towards the old customs officers' path.Begin the descent to the solar lighthouse at Cap Cerbère.Continue along the trail overlooking the sea, which then connects to the road leading to the Cerbère Tourist Office.Head back to the train station parking lot.
Technical Information
Altimetric profile
Starting point
Additional information
Public transport
€1 bus to Banyuls-sur-Mer, line 540. Shuttle from Banyuls-sur-Mer to Cerbère, line 546. Train from Cerbère to Port-Bou for the outbound journey.
Advice
Bring water, hiking shoes, a windbreaker (regardless of the time of year), and a cap. Be cautious near the cliffs of Cerbère. Take your litter with you.
Advised parking
Cerbère train station parking
Access
D 914 (France), N-260 (Spain)
Arrival
Tourist Office of Cerbère
Ambiance
This superb hike along the border offers magnificent views of the sea, from Cap de Creus to Cap Béar, as well as the mountains and the small port villages of Port-Bou and Cerbère. Memorials along the route indicate that this path was taken by many exiles fleeing Francoist Spain or German-occupied France. A visit to the Art Deco, ocean-liner-style hotel, 'Le Belvédère du Rayon Vert,' is highly recommended.
Departure
Walter Benjamin Memorial (Port-Bou)
