Finestret at the entrance to the Lentillà Valley

Finestret lies at the entrance to the Lentillà Valley and provides access to the villages of Baillestavy and Valmanya. The image of the place also includes the cultural landscape along the Chemin de la Garrigue, the parish church of Sainte-Colombe, a washhouse and fountains. When planning your trip, you can therefore choose between different focuses: the valley, a hike, or the historic and architectural details of the village.

Cultural landscape and hiking

The Chemin de la Garrigue connects Sahorle with Finestret and features dry-stone field walls. Here, a specific route and an architectural feature of the cultural landscape come together. The dry-stone walls draw attention to the construction of the field boundaries, while the route itself links Sahorle and Finestret. For your planning, this offers a different focus from looking at a single structure: here, the emphasis is on the landscape and the connection between two places.

The Finestret–Pic Marbet hike, which follows the GR®36, is a separate option. It offers a hiking focus distinct from the Chemin de la Garrigue. As trail markings can change, check the route again before setting out.

Sainte-Colombe: history and features

The parish church of Sainte-Colombe in Finestret is documented as far back as 1033. The original church was rebuilt in the 18th century; these two dates therefore refer to different periods in its history. A distinctive architectural detail is the west portal, made of pink marble from Villefranche-de-Conflent. Its material and origin give the portal a specific character in the description of the church.

The objects in the parish church are also varied: it houses a Monument de la Semaine sainte. One painting shows the Virgin Mary presenting the rosary to Saint Dominic and Saint Catherine of Siena. In addition to its long history and marble portal, the monument and the rosary scene are therefore among the subjects that can be used to describe the church. These details help distinguish the church’s architectural history from its sacred art.

Washhouse and fountains

Finestret’s washhouse is opposite the Fontaine d’Avall and near the Llentillà River. It is a rectangular structure surrounded by walls made of river pebbles. Inside, it has a large concrete basin divided into eight sections. Its shape, masonry and the division of the basin are therefore distinct features of the structure.

The Fontaine d’Avall was built in 1820. The Fontaine du Trial is distinguished by a different construction: it has two granite basins separated by a block structure. Comparing the three structures draws attention to different details: the washhouse’s shape and division of its basin, the construction date of the Fontaine d’Avall, and the material and arrangement of the basins at the Fontaine du Trial. This makes it possible to distinguish each structure by its specific features.

Note about the Canal du moulin

The Canal du moulin is currently closed to the public because of damage. Check the local access situation again before planning a visit.

If you choose Finestret for a hotel stay, you can make your selection based on your interest in the valley, hiking or heritage.

Discover more destinations: Sainte-Marie-la-Mer, Claira, Port-Vendres, Les Angles, Targassonne, Pollestres, Angoustrine-Villeneuve-Des-Escaldes, Cabestany

Back to the regional travel overview: Pyrénées-Orientales.