**Céret** is a commune in the Pyrénées-Orientales department in southern France. It was the capital of the historic Catalan comarque of Vallespir.

It is a subprefecture in the department and the capital of the Céret *arrondissement*.

Name of the city
----------------

The name *Céret* comes from the Catalan name for the town: *Ceret*.

Former known names of Céret are, in order of appearance, *vicus Sirisidum* in 814, *vico Cereto* in 866, *villa Cerseto* in 915, *vigo Ceresido* in 930, also *Cered* and *Ceriteto* in the 10th century, *Ceret*, *Cericeto* in the XIth and XIIth centuries, *Cirset* around 1070, *Cersed* (one of the most common forms) in 1130 and *Cerset* in 1138, and from the XIIIth to the XVth centuries *Cereto*, *Ceret*, *Seret* and *Saret*. *Ceret* becomes the most common form around the XVIth century.

Geography
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Céret lies in the foothills of the Pyrénées mountains, in southern France. It is in the valley of the Tech river.

It has an area of 37.86 km2 (14.62 sq mi) and its average altitude is 154 m (505 ft); at the city hall, the altitude is 160 m (520 ft). The lowest point (107 m [351 ft]) of the *commune* is on the Tech river and the highest is on the Roc de Frausa (1,440 m [4,720 ft]).


Céret and its neighboring *communes*| Map of the commune of Céret |

The *commune* is at 35 km (22 mi) from Perpignan, 200 km (124 mi) from Montpellier and at 250 km (155 mi) from Toulouse. It is surrounded by the *communes* Vivès, Saint-Jean-Pla-de-Corts, Maureillas-las-Illas, Reynès, Oms.

| Places next to Céret |
| --- |
| 

|  |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Oms | Vivès | Saint-Jean-Pla-de-Corts |
| Reynès | 
**Céret**
 | Maureillas-las-Illas |
|  | Maçanet de Cabrenys(Spain) |  |

 |

### Climate

The climate of Céret, in the Köppen climate classification, is **Cfb** - Oceanic climate with template summers.

Population
----------

The inhabitants of Céret are known, in French, as *cerétans* (women: *céretanes*).

With a population in 2014 of 7,663, Céret has a population density of 202 inhabitants/km2.

**Evolution of the population in Céret**

Administration
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Céret is a subprefecture of the Pyrénées-Orientales department since 1790. It is also the capital of the *arrondissement* of Céret and the administrative centre (French: *chef-lieu*) of the canton Vallespir-Albères with 13 *communes* and 29,894 inhabitants in 2014.

It is part of the intercommunality *Vallespir* (French: *Communauté de communes du Vallespir*).

### Mayors

| Mayor | Term start | Term end |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Onuphre Tarris | 1919 | 1940 |
| Henri Rey | 1940 | 1941 |
| Henri Mouchard | 1941 | 1943 |
| Jean Maler | 1943 | 1944 |
| Jacques Souquet | 1944 | 1945 |
| Gaston Cardonne | 1945 | 1947 |
| Henri Guitard | 1947 | 1963 |
| Marcel Parayre | 1963 | 1964 |
| Michel Sageloly Sr. | 1964 | 1983 |
| Henri Sicre | 1983 | 1995 |
| Michel Sageloly Jr. | 1995 | 1996 |
| Henri Sicre | 1996 | 2001 |
| Alain Torrent | 2001 | 2020 |
| Michel Coste | 2020 |  |

### Twin cities

Céret is a twin town of:

* Spain Almonte, Spain
* Spain Banyoles, Spain
* Germany Lüchow, Germany

Economy
-------

The region around Céret is a major fruit producer, in particular famed for its cherries. The first of the season's pick are, by local tradition, sent to France's President. Céret has a cherry festival each year. The cherry season is during the end of April and May.

Sites of interest
-----------------

Céret is famous for its Musée d'Art Moderne (Museum of Modern Art), which has numerous Picasso paintings, sculptures and ceramics. The museum also features paintings by Chagall, Matisse, Herbin, Soutine, lots of Fauves and a few Impressionists.

The Museum of Musical Instruments opened in May 2013 and has a unique collection of instruments and musical scores.

The *Pont du Diable* (Devil's Bridge) is a single arch stone bridge built between 1321 and 1341.

Gallery
-------

Céret seen from the north

* Céret, main streetCéret, main street
* Saint Peter church, CéretSaint Peter church, Céret
* Le Tech river, CéretLe Tech river, Céret
* Le Pont du Diable (The Devil's bridge), CéretLe Pont du Diable (The Devil's bridge), Céret

Related pages
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* Arrondissement of Céret
* Communes of the Pyrénées-Orientales department

Other websites
--------------


Wikimedia Commons has media related to ***Céret***.

* City Council website (in French)
* Ceret tourist information office (in French)
* Communauté de communes du Vallespir (in French)
* Museum of Modern Art website (in French)