Targassonne offers two very different highlights: Chaos de Targasonne is known for granite and bouldering, while Thémis Solaire Innovation focuses on scientific tourism. There are also horse-riding options, as well as individual cultural and hiking destinations. When planning your stay, it is worth deciding on your main activity first: would you like to spend your time bouldering and exploring trails in the area, attend a program scheduled for a particular season, or plan a horseback ride?

Granite and bouldering at Chaos de Targasonne

Chaos de Targasonne is a south-facing landscape of granite boulders at an altitude of around 1,500 metres, with more than 1,000 large rock formations. The area has more than 1,200 bouldering routes, with grades ranging from 3 to 8b+. The number of boulders describes the terrain, while the number of routes indicates the scale of the bouldering offer. Several paths cross the area, and there is a car park beside the road at Chaos. When planning your visit, you can distinguish between focusing on bouldering routes and exploring paths through the area.

Thémis: science and the history of a solar power plant

Thémis Solaire Innovation is open to the public year-round as a destination for scientific tourism. Its program includes events, exhibitions, film screenings, guided tours and workshops; the public program may be scheduled seasonally. If you are visiting for a particular format, check the date for your travel period. Free parking is available for cars, buses, motorcycles and bicycles. There are also two accessible parking spaces for cars and a bus drop-off area. As facilities may change, check the current parking arrangements before your visit.

Thémis Solaire Innovation is located at the site where Thémis, the world's first solar tower power plant, was built and operated from 1979 to 1986. Alongside today's scientific tourism, the dated history of the solar installation is a distinct topic in its own right.

Culture and challenging trails

The Church of Saint-Saturnin in Targasonne contains an altarpiece of Saint Nicholas from the early 17th century. This artwork adds a specific connection to sacred art alongside the natural and scientific themes.

Dolmen de l'Arrel lies in the northeast of the Targassonne area, on the border with Égat, and can be reached via a challenging hiking trail. Take this access route into account when choosing your hiking plans.

Horseback rides of varying durations

Cheval Loisirs Promenades offers horseback rides and riding treks in Targassonne. Rides last from one hour to several days. Except in July and August, they start from Route du Mas Vilalte in Targassonne. Confirm the meeting point and availability for your date before travelling; schedules and availability may change.

Use your reason for travelling to guide your hotel search

For planning purposes, the options differ in their focus: for bouldering, you can use the grade range as a guide; for horse rides, the duration; and for the dolmen, the challenging access route.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Fenouillet, Finestret, Tresserre, Clara, Argeles-Sur-Mer, Escaro, Latour-De-France, Py.

For the main travel overview: Pyrénées-Orientales.