Pézilla-La-Rivière: Heritage and Ecoparc Catalan

Pézilla-la-Rivière offers several distinct points of interest for a hotel stay: historic buildings and artworks, a signposted trail network, and activities at Ecoparc Catalan. When choosing a destination for your trip, you can decide whether you would most like to experience architectural history, outdoor activities, or a guided experience. These different highlights give the town a varied character.

Churches and art from different eras

The Chapelle Saint Saturnin was first mentioned in 876. Construction began in the Romanesque period; in the 14th century, it was remodeled and extended in the Gothic style. Its first mention and later renovation thus mark different periods in its history. Visigothic tombs from the 7th and 8th centuries are visible behind the altar. For visitors interested in local history, the chapel brings together architectural history and archaeological traces from several centuries.

The Église des Saintes-Hosties also brings together evidence from different periods. It contains a Roman altar from the 1st century dedicated to Diana and Apollo, as well as a Visigothic chancel screen from the 6th century. Its 28 stained-glass windows depict episodes from the history of the Saintes Hosties and saints in religious iconography. The ancient dedication, Visigothic architectural feature, and religious imagery offer different ways to explore the town's heritage.

Town gate, fortifications, and local history

The Porte du Revelli was the main gate of Pézilla-la-Rivière. In the 14th century, it was incorporated into the town's fortifications as a defensive tower. In 1882, the gate was converted into a civic bell tower; the wrought-iron campanile is classified as a historic monument. Its architectural history thus combines its former function as a gate and defensive structure with its later conversion into a bell tower. The Croix des Outrages adds another feature to the town's history: the cross is part of the Catalan tradition and was erected in the 18th century.

The Cellera de Pézilla was established in the early 11th century. At that time, houses replaced the granaries built around the church, while the village fortifications were constructed around them. This development describes how the area around the church changed: a place of granaries became an area with houses and fortifications. Together with the former town gate, this offers another way to consider local history, namely the development of granary and fortification structures.

Signposted trails and activities at Ecoparc Catalan

Pézilla-la-Rivière is one of the four municipalities included in Ecoparc Catalan's 109 km network of signposted trails. The network was inaugurated in July 2025 and is accessible on foot, for trail running, and by mountain bike. It is also connected to the Es-Têt greenway. The range of ways to get around extends from walking to mountain biking, and the municipality is part of a network spanning several communities.

Ecoparc Catalan also offers activities on a variety of themes. The free Ecoparc Escape Game is available year-round. The route in Pézilla-la-Rivière leads players on a quest to recover the enchanted chalice. Free guided group tours cover renewable energy generation and the development and operation of a wind farm. Guided excursions on off-road electric scooters explore the area's natural, historical, and technological heritage. The activities are clearly distinct: the Escape Game follows a story, the group tours focus on renewable energy, and the excursions bring together three aspects of the area's heritage.

Wine tasting

At the Arnaud de Villeneuve Caveau de Pézilla-la-Rivière, wines from the Château Pezilla range are available for free tasting. As visiting details may change, it is recommended that you confirm the current tasting arrangements in advance.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Maury, Caixas, Urbanya, Serralongue, Espira-De-l'Agly, Villefranche-de-Conflent, Thuir, Saint-Génis-Des-Fontaines.

For the main travel guide: Pyrénées-Orientales.