It was the last battle of the Aragonese Crusade, a papally-sanctioned war on behalf of Charles of Valois to secure the Aragonese throne from the excommunicated king Peter III, who had conquered Sicily against papal interests.

The pass around the massif of Albères (568 m) in Catalonia was the main route through the Pyrenees in the Middle Ages.

Peter entrusted the vanguard to Ramon de Montcada and his Almogàvers, who massacred the fatigued French troops but spared the royal family.

According to the chronicle of Ramon Muntaner, the festivities of celebration lasted eight days in Barcelona.

Admitting a lack of gratefulness, Charles ceased hostilities and signed the Peace of Caltabellotta.