The plateau of Leucatepage 2/2

East of the plateau, agriculture has given way to a short Mediterranean moor. This is the part that advances the furthest into the sea and ends with the cliff of the Semaphore. In places, the limestone shows many small hemispherical or conical cavities dug by the stagnation of rainwater. To the west, the soils are more fertile and suitable for growing vines or orchards.

Among the heritage plant species of the plateau are Ophrys speculum, l'Ophrys magniflora, Tree violet (Viola arborescens), Sea garlic (Allium commutatum) or Sea Lavender (Limoniastrum monopetalum).

Viola arborescens and Ophrys speculum

The other visible orchid species are: Ophrys lutea, Op. scolopax, Op. exaltata ssp. marzuola, Op. corbariensis, Op. apifera, Orchis purpurea or Anacamptis pyramidalis.

Some Leucate wild orchids (the names of the species appear when you pass the pointer over the photos).

The plateau is also a privileged site on the bird migration route which crosses the Pyrenean barrier in its easternmost part. One of the original features of the site lies in the great diversity of species observed, from raptors to storks, sea birds to passerines, bee-eaters to swifts.

Departing from Leucate or La Franqui, several routes invite you to enter the heart of the plateau and its maze of paths (winegrower's path, shepherd's path, fisherman's path and watcher's path). Along these paths, thematic markers sealed in the walls allow you to find your way around.

Thematic markers along the trails of the plateau

The watcher's path, which links the Lighthouse to the village of La Franqui, allows you to discover the Redoubt of Haute Franqui. This building, built during the reign of Louis XIV, is the last vestige of the 3 forts that guarded the coast and the town of Leucate.

The Haute Franqui redoubt

The Leucate plateau is classified as a listed site for its landscapes, Natura 2000 site for its natural heritage, Natural Space Protected within the framework of the Protection Zone for Architectural, Urban and Landscape Heritage (ZPPAUP) of Leucate.

View towards La Franqui

View towards Port Leucate and the Albères

Les Albères and Mont Canigou from the Leucate pond

Learn more

On the orchids of the region :
A la découverte des Orchidées en Languedoc et Pays Catalan. R. Buscail, F. Dabonneville, J.M Lewin et M. Nicole. Biotope Editions (2019), ISBN: 978-2-36662-222-5

On the Leucate region :
Si Leucate m’était conté.... Un ouvrage très documenté et largement illustré sur l’histoire de la commune depuis la période allant de la préhistoire au traité des Pyrénées de 1659 (Tome 1) et de l’époque de Louis XIV à celle de la création de Port Leucate (Tome 2).
Leucate Plain Cadre. Livre de photographies de Noël Hautemanière et Jacques Hiron.
Site de l'Office du tourisme de Leucate : http://www.tourisme-leucate.fr

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