The Pablo Casals Festival
Founded in 1950 by the Catalan cellist Pau Casals, who took refuge in France after the Spanish Civil War, the Pablo Casals Festival brings together nearly 10,000 music lovers every summer, between late July and mid-August, to hear the biggest names in chamber music. Most concerts take place in the exceptional setting of Saint-Michel-de-Cuxa Abbey, a jewel of Catalan Romanesque art.
The gateway to the Conflent
Prades marks the entrance to the Conflent, a valley that climbs towards the Canigou and its Romanesque monasteries — Saint-Michel-de-Cuxa of course, but also Serrabone Priory and Saint-Martin-du-Canigou Abbey a little further on. A region loved for its mountain landscapes and exceptional Romanesque heritage.
A lively Catalan town
Beyond the festival, Prades keeps the bustle of a Catalan sub-prefecture all year round — market, town-centre shops and a natural starting point for exploring the Conflent and the neighbouring mountain resorts.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the journey from Perpignan to Prades?
Allow about 37 minutes by road from Perpignan, heading towards the Conflent.
Do you serve Saint-Michel-de-Cuxa Abbey?
Yes, notably during the Pablo Casals Festival in July–August, when we drop you right at the concert site.
Can an evening round trip be arranged after a concert?
Of course — simply give us the expected finishing time and we arrange your return to Perpignan.
Book your chauffeur
Festival, visit or transfer: tell us your journey and we will quickly confirm a fixed price.