Rivesaltes: Camp History, Cultural Heritage and Wine Culture
Accommodation in Rivesaltes
Rivesaltes brings together the history of the former camp with cultural heritage and a well-known wine tradition. Museums and historic buildings sit alongside activities centred on natural sweet wines; the weekly market also offers a glimpse of regional produce. This gives you different ways to shape your stay—from history and architecture to wine.
The MĂ©morial and the History of the Camp
The layout helps distinguish between the historic sites: Camp Joffre occupies a very large area north of the town, separate from the urban centre. The Mémorial du Camp de Rivesaltes was built at its eastern end, among preserved barracks. The Musée-Maison Natale du Maréchal Joffre, by contrast, is in the centre of old Rivesaltes, in Joffre’s birthplace.
The former Camp de Rivesaltes was the setting for the stories of more than 60,000 people. Video guides for the Mémorial’s outdoor tour and permanent exhibition are available in French, English, Spanish, Catalan, German and French Sign Language. The visit thus covers two distinct areas: the outdoor tour and the permanent exhibition.
The Musée Joffre and Its Historic Setting
The Musée-Maison Natale du Maréchal Joffre spans 200 m² over three levels. On the ground floor, panels from the French armed forces’ historical service explain Joffre’s career and life. The Musée Joffre also explores the Battle of the Marne, with an animated relief map and a slideshow. Biographical material and the depiction of the battle are presented as distinct subjects within the same museum.
Churches, Chapel and Fortifications
The Église Saint-André is a fortified church. It was built between 1657 and 1683 on the site of the former Sainte-Marie church; its bell tower was completed in 1709. The Chapelle Saint-André is mentioned as early as 923 and was probably rebuilt in the 12th century for the abbots of Lagrasse. A side chapel was added there around 1545.
The Beffroi dit Tour de l'Horloge was built in 1755 by mason B. Cornet on the site of a gate in the town fortifications. In 1827, the tower was raised and fitted with an iron campanile. These dates describe several phases of construction: the tower’s erection at the former fortified gate and a later alteration.
Wine, Cellars and the Weekly Market
Rivesaltes is known for its natural sweet wines. The wine experiences offer different highlights: Maison Cazes offers tastings led by experts and advice on food and wine pairings. Visits to the ageing cellar for Vins Doux Naturels and its centuries-old large wooden casks are also available. At Domaine Boudau, a short tour of the tasting cellar offers insights into terroirs, grape varieties and the steps involved in winemaking. You can therefore choose between a tasting with food-pairing advice and a concise introduction to the cellar and production process.
Regional producers offer fresh produce at the weekly market. This brings regional production into focus alongside the area’s history and wine.
Discover more destinations: Tordères, Passa, Py, Canet-En-Roussillon, Taillet, Prugnanes, Nohèdes, Tresserre.
Back to the main travel overview: Pyrénées-Orientales.
