Chateau and Park of Valmy

The park and gardens at the Chateau of Valmy near to Argeles have re-opened after major works. We visited on Saturday 6th February in the morning. (Actually we also went on the Friday afternoon, but the re-opening wasn’t until Saturday). The grounds are very pleasant, with fountains and ponds, lawns and borders with labels telling you what the plants are, a small children’s play area and lawned areas. Unusually there are cork oak trees with the bark stripped back, and information boards explain that these trees only come from this area and in the past the bark was used for bottle corks and has to be stripped off like this. The gardens are on a significant slope and there are fabulous views across to the sea.

In the summer a major music festival 'Les Deferlantes' takes place in the grounds. This year from 7th to 10th July 2016. This year's acts include Elton John and The Chemical Brothers,  any many others.