Llafranc

{{Short description|Town in Catalonia, Spain}}

{{Infobox settlement

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|settlement_type = Town

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|image_skyline = Llafranc 2022-10-26 09.52.37.jpg

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|image_caption = The town of Llafranc viewed from the headland that separates it from Calella.

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|pushpin_map = Spain Province of Girona#Spain Catalonia#Spain

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|subdivision_type1 = Autonomous community

|subdivision_name1 = {{flag|Catalonia}}

|subdivision_type2 =Province

|subdivision_name2 = Girona

|subdivision_type3 =Comarca

|subdivision_name3 = Baix Empordà

|subdivision_type4 =Municipality

|subdivision_name4 = Palafrugell

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|timezone = CET

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|coordinates = {{coord|41|53|39|N|3|11|37|E|region:ES|display=inline}}

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|postal_code =17211

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Llafranc ({{IPA|ca|ʎəˈfɾaŋ|lang}}; {{IPA|es|ʎaˈfɾaŋk|lang|Pronunciation of Llafranc in Spanish.ogg}}) is one of three coastal towns belonging to the municipality of Palafrugell, province of Girona, Spain, the other two being Calella de Palafrugell and Tamariu. It is part of the Costa Brava, the coastal region of northeastern Catalonia, in the comarca of Baix Empordà.{{cite map |title=Empordà Costa Brava - Sud |scale=1:30,000 |publisher=Editorial PIOLET i Consell Comarcal del Baix Empordà |date=March 2012}}

Many domestic tourists come from nearby Barcelona, while the international tourists come from a whole range of countries, especially the Netherlands, England, France, and more recently the United States. The Hotel Llafranc dominates the main sea promenade and was popular with artists such as Rock Hudson, Sophia Loren, Elizabeth Taylor, Salvador Dalí and Ernest Hemingway. The English writer Tom Sharpe was also a resident of Llafranc.{{cite news |url=https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/europe-travel/5-secret-summer-mediterranean-resorts-hqm7bkl97 |title=Europe's secret seaside towns |work=The Times |first=Alessia |last=Horwich |date=21 May 2017 |access-date=9 November 2022}}{{cite web |url=https://www.spanishpropertyinsight.com/2005/11/30/tom-sharpes-smart-move/ |title=Sharpe's smart move: Tom Sharpe lives in Llafranc, Costa Brava |work=Spanish Property Insight |date=30 November 2005 |access-date=9 November 2022}}

The town is overlooked by the historical site of Sant Sebastià de la Guarda, located on a headland {{convert|1.5|km}} to the north, and {{convert|168|m}} above, Llafranc beach. It comprises the ruins of a settlement of the Iberians from the 6th-1st centuries BCE, a 15th-century watchtower and the 19th century {{ill|Sant Sebastià lighthouse|ca|Far de Sant Sebastià}}. The lighthouse, which is still operational, has a range of {{convert|32|nmi}} 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.{{cite web |title=Sant Sebastià Lighthouse |website=www.costabravas.com |url=https://www.costabravas.com/en/calella_de_palafrugell/sant_sebastia_lighthouse |access-date=9 November 2022}}{{cite web |title=Sant Sebastià Lighthouse |website=www.visitacostabrava.com |url=https://www.visitacostabrava.com/en/llafranc/what-to-visit/retreats/faro-de-sant-sebastia |access-date=9 November 2022}}

The GR 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 at {{ill|Cala Pedrosa (Palafrugell)|ca|lt=Cala Pedrosa}} and the town of Tamariu. To the south the path follows the coast the short distance to Calella de Palafrugell, passing the 16th century {{ill|Torre de Calella|ca}} on the way.

Commerce and civic organizations gather under the Associació d'Amics de Llafranc,{{Cite web|title=Associació d'Amics i Veïns de Llafranc|url=http://www.aavll.com/|website=Associació d’Amics i Veïns de Llafranc}} which elects a president every 4 years in order to represent this small town in the City Council of Palafrugell, its main municipality.{{cite needed|date=April 2021}}