Llafranc | |
|---|---|
Town | |
 The town of Llafranc viewed from the headland that separates it from Calella. | |
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| Coordinates:41°53′39″N3°11′37″E / 41.89417°N 3.19361°E /41.89417; 3.19361 | |
| Country |  Spain |
| Autonomous community |  Catalonia |
| Province | Girona |
| Comarca | Baix Empordà |
| Municipality | Palafrugell |
| Area | |
• Total | 85 km2 (33 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 26 m (85 ft) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code | 17211 |
Llafranc (Catalan:[ʎəˈfɾaŋ];Spanish:[ʎaˈfɾaŋk]ⓘ) is one of three coastal towns belonging to the municipality ofPalafrugell,province of Girona,Spain, the other two beingCalella de Palafrugell andTamariu. It is part of theCosta Brava, the coastal region of northeasternCatalonia, in the comarca ofBaix Empordà.[1]
Many domestic tourists come from nearbyBarcelona, while the international tourists come from a whole range of countries, especially theNetherlands,England,France, and more recently theUnited States. TheHotel Llafranc dominates the main sea promenade and was popular with artists such asRock Hudson,Sophia Loren,Elizabeth Taylor,Salvador Dalí andErnest Hemingway. The English writerTom Sharpe was also a resident of Llafranc.[2][3]
The town is overlooked by the historical site ofSant Sebastià de la Guarda, located on a headland 1.5 kilometres (0.93 mi) to the north, and 168 metres (551 ft) above, Llafranc beach. It comprises the ruins of a settlement of theIberians from the 6th-1st centuriesBCE, a 15th-century watchtower and the 19th centurySant Sebastià lighthouse [ca]. The lighthouse, which is still operational, has a range of 32 nautical miles (59 km; 37 mi) and is the most powerful on the Catalan coast. The residential district of El Far, which takes its name from the lighthouse, lies below the headland.[4][5]
TheGR 92 long distance footpath, which runs the length of the Mediterranean coast of Spain, passes through the town. To the north the path follows the road up to the lighthouse and then uses an in places rough, track above the shore line to the beach atCala Pedrosa [ca] and the town ofTamariu. To the south the path follows the coast the short distance toCalella de Palafrugell, passing the 16th centuryTorre de Calella [ca] on the way.[1]
Commerce and civic organizations gather under theAssociació d'Amics de Llafranc,[6] which elects a president every 4 years in order to represent this small town in the City Council of Palafrugell, its main municipality.[citation needed]
Llafranc is one of the most popular beaches inCatalonia, ideal for families and sport enthusiasts. It is the largest beach around in the Palafrugell zone, though small if compared to nearbyPals (Platja Gran) andPalamós (Platja Gran, Castell). At the North end of the beach is the port, home to Club Nàutic Llafranc. At the South end of the beach is rocky land separating Llafranc and Calella.[citation needed]
With a sandy seabed it is welcoming for the average visitor, with anaquatic channel following the rocky right end of the beach. This channel follows thePasseig de Ronda, a promenade connecting Llafranc and Calella de Palafrugell with some iconic views.[citation needed]
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41°53′39″N3°11′37″E / 41.89417°N 3.19361°E /41.89417; 3.19361
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