La Déballe Street Sale in Amélie-les-Bains

A merchants' street sale in a spa town

The La Déballe street sale in Amélie-les-Bains-Palalda is one of the major commercial events in the spa town. From 9 a.m., the town centre shopkeepers bring their racks, tables and displays out onto the pavements to offer customers clothing, shoes, accessories, leather goods, decoration, regional products, souvenirs and various items at reduced prices. The festive atmosphere of this day attracts locals, passing tourists and the many spa-goers who come to enjoy the virtues of Amélie's sulphur waters. The street sale is traditionally an opportunity for merchants to clear their winter collection and welcome the first visitors of the spring season, in a friendly and warm Catalan atmosphere.

Amélie-les-Bains-Palalda, spa jewel of the Vallespir

Amélie-les-Bains-Palalda is a commune in the Vallespir, the southernmost valley in France, located in the Pyrénées-Orientales halfway between Perpignan and the Spanish border. The town owes its name to Queen Marie-Amélie, wife of King Louis-Philippe, who stayed there in 1840 and enabled the development of its thermal baths. Since then, Amélie has become one of the most popular spa towns in southern France, specialising in the treatment of rheumatism and respiratory conditions. The medieval old town of Palalda, perched on a rocky spur above the Tech, preserves remarkable Catalan heritage. Its pedestrian streets, shaded squares and café terraces bring life year-round to a vibrant and welcoming town, of which La Déballe is one of the highlights.