Click on the link to go to the place of interest of find out what the region has to offer in your chosen sport.4
Banyuls
is a large bay, overlooked by the Albères . It is a beautiful old fishing
village with traditional narrow cobbled streets and wine sellers. You will
see the sloped vineyards as you approach the bay along the winding hillside
roads. Try the local aperetif - Banyuls (a fortified wine similar to
Port).
http://www.banyuls-sur-mer.com/anglais/b1.html
Perpignan is the capital of the Catalan region with the Palace of the Majorcan kings dominating the town centre while the Castillet is the remains of the original city walls. Perpignan is a mix of the old and new. It offers a variety of eating and shopping experiences
http://www.perpignantourisme.com
Just a short drive away from Maureillas you will find Argelès-sur-Mer. It boasts seven kilometres of wide sandy beach, safe and supervised bathing is ensured whilst the numerous little rocky creeks provide a perfect base for those who wish to scuba dive or get away from the crowds.
http://www.argeles-sur-mer.com
This is a purpose-built resort with 8 kilometres of sandy beaches, a fishing port and marina offering a range of water sports and activities for all ages.
http://www.tourisme.fr/office-de-tourisme/le-barcares.htm
A Mediterranean fishing port and well known for its fish and sea food restaurants. There are many scuba diving groups operating from this area and you can book both boat rides and water sports here
http://www.port-vendres.com/gastronomie/vignoble.htm
Girona
has the many interesting sights that we would expect from a city that was
founded by the Greek, inhabited by the Romans, and later settled by Jews,
Muslims, and Christians. This way, it combines 12th- and 13th-century Arab baths
(inspired in the Roman public baths) with a medieval Jewish quarter, the call,
which along with the modern, colourful houses by the Onyar River constitutes the
most traditional side of Girona. Other interesting sights are the Gothic
cathedral of Santa María, and the collegiate church of Sant Feliú.In addition to
Girona's monuments, the city has a full cultural calendar, with great places to
visit like the Metropolitan Museum of History; the Sant Pere de Galligants
Museum of Archaeology, which exhibits prehistoric, Greek, Roman, and Jewish
artefacts; the Museum of Art, with an interesting collection of religious art,
as well as Gothic painting and sculpture; and the Cinema Museum, which has a
permanent collection that narrates the birth of the seventh art. And we
certainly must not forget the city's active social life, bustling at terraces
and cafés in Rambla de la Llibertad, one of the most exciting spots anytime of
the day. In Força street and around Independencia square we can go for tapas,
which include a variety of "sea and mountain" specialities. Pubs and nightclubs
are spread throughout the historic quarter, sometimes offering art exhibitions
and concerts
Translates
as cherry and seeing Ceret in spring is like being under a pink snowfall as the
blossom covers the ground around the orchards the culmination is the ’Fete de la
Cerise’ on the 29th and 30th May. Dancing in the street is positively
encouraged. Ceret has inspired many artists from Picasso to Braque and the
many who have followed in their footsteps.
The Musée d’Art Moderne in the centre of the village represents the collections of many of these famous visitors.
No one staying at the villa should miss the Saturday morning market in the village centre
www.ot-ceret.fr/ang/ville-ceret/sommaire.htm
About
25 minutes drive across the border you will find the Spanish Catalan town of
Figueras, Dali's birth (and final resting) place and home of the museum
dedicated to him. The town is full of great restaurants and shopping and a
must see while staying at Casa d'Or.
http://www.salvador-dali.org/eng/intro/intro.htm
http://www.figueresciutat.com/angles/vis-arribar-hi.html
This resort has 6 kilometres of fine sandy beaches with Mount Canigou the Albères hills in the background.
http://www.saint-cyprien.com/ot/en/index.php
The most well known resort in the Pyrenees Orientales, it boasts a 17th century church complete with ramparts, a Royal château (13th century), Like Banyuls it is complete with cobbled streets and incredible views across the port and where you will find a small secluded beach. Check the webcam to see it live..
It is steeped in Catalalonian culture with an abundance of art, dance and food on show and for sale.
http://www.collioure.com/anglais/co-001.html
Canet has 9 kilometres of sandy, supervised beaches along with a salt lake between the sand dunes and the beach, The main stretch of sea front has flat pavements ideal for skating or cycling.
http://www.ot-canet.fr/ang/index.htm
High in the mountains around an hour and a half drive from the villa,1800 m high, you will find Font Romeu. It has over 50 km of ski runs. As well as skiing you will find plenty to see all year round such as the Chapelle de l’Ermitage whcih was built in the 17th century on the site of a fountain (where the name Font Romeu - the pilgrim’s fountain originates) along with Le Grand Hotel, which was frequented by royalty and the rich and famous from all over the world in the 1920s and 30s.
Close by is the Solaire d’Odeillo - a laboratory researching solar energy,
This translates as the little yellow train and was built in 1902 to link the mountains with the plateau. This passes through a number of resorts including Font Romeu. The train ride is a great day out for adults and kids all year round.
http://www.trainstouristiques-ter.com/train_jaune.htm
Drive
towards Canigou and you will reach via a long and winding road this walled town
with ancient mediaeval architecture and small narrow cobbled streets. There is
the Fort Laguarde, an impressive castle built by Marshall Vauban in 1683 to
strengthen the town’s defences. It is used as a starting point for many more
strenuous walks through the mountains.
Amélie-les-bains,is a spa town with numerous springs which are very popular with the French for treatment of rheumatism and lung diseases (don't try to visit the baths, you will need a prescription from a French doctor) . Cobbled streets feature alongside modern accommodation which you can admire from the street cafes. It is classified as a ’station verte’ which means that it must ensure that visitors benefit from a calm environment.
On the way to the skiing resorts you will pass through Prades and its neighbouring villages in the Conflent . Here you leave the beach activities behind and engage instead in:- horse riding, walking, potholing, rambling, canyoning and mountain biking,
Le
Perthus is the border town of France and Spain and always packed with visitors
buying alcohol and cigarettes. Some bargains can be had (especially the
free drink sampling in the bodega) but it is a tourist area so shop wisely.
rarely will you see it as quiet as in the picture unless you are there very
early in the morning.
An adventure park offering a variety of outdoor activities woodland walks, arboretum, high wires etc
http://www.montozarbres.com/plan.html
A Safari Park situated 15 km south of Narbonne with a 6 kilometre trip around the park, You can also do some of the circuit on foot near some of the tamer animals!
http://www.reserveafricainesigean.fr/
You cannot fail to notice the thousands of vineyards in Languedoc. The first link below is in French, while the second offers some information and history of the many varieties of wine available in the region.
http://www.vins-du-roussillon.com/
http://www.thewinedoctor.com/regionalguides/languedoc1.shtml
Water adventure park great for young children and young adults featuring water slides, rapids, wave pools, the Black Hole, the Anaconda . Its worth spending the whole day there to get the most from the outing.
http://www.aqualand.fr/saint_cyprien.htm
These
caves have been formed naturally by the slow effect of water seeping through the
rock for thousand of years. Amazing sites and a light and sound show is
included during peak summer months. A great way to cool down on a hot summers
day as the temperature inside remains constant at 14° there are places
close by to set up and have your own riverside picnic.
http://www.grotte-grandes-canalettes.com/c15.html
Pyrenees Orientales offers a variety of game, course and sea fishing for further information check out the listed sites below
French Language only
http://www.unpf.fr/66/VF/JdCSommaire.html
As
the villa is situated only five kilometres from the Spanish border you have a
choice of French or Spanish courses within an hours drive from the villa
Links course at St Cyprien about 25 minutes from the villa by car
http://www.golf-st-cyprien.com/
http://www.pyreneesguide.com/subs.asp?sID=415&cID=64
There are many stables close to the villa offering pony treks and horse riding. Details can be found at the property. One local one offers an price fix lunch which you can enjoy while you send the rest of the family out on horses.
You cannot fail to notice an abundance of cyclists while driving around the roads near the villa, these range from traditional road bikes to the mountain bikers speeding past and you descend the steep mountain passes.
http://www.languedoc-france.info/040101_cycle.htm
A local Biking Club
http://www.biking66.com/les.circuits-140.php
(in French)
Walk 10 minutes from the villa and you are approaching the GR10 or ’Sentier Pyreneenne’ as it is known. It follows the the Pyrenees from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean sea via hundreds of km of walking paths. Red and white paint strokes show the way to follow, which way to turn and which way NOT to go.
www.balades-pyrenees.com (French)
www.walkingontheweb.co.uk (English)
http://www.lespyrenees.net/index_en.asp (English)
Advice, tips and walking routes in the Pyrenees.
http://www.pyrenees-refuges.com/ (English (not working in English when last checked))
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/patrick.lafargue/parcs/parcs.htm (French)
In French. Advice, maps guides and photos - all you need to prepare your walk in the mountains and be safe....
http://www.pyrenees-pireneus.com/ (French)
http://home.datacomm.ch/rbreitenstein/ (French)
In French. Information about the GR10, the track which crosses the Pyrenees de l’Atlantic to the Mediterranean.
http://www.pyrenees-passion.info/ (French)
In the Pyrenees Orientales, lovers of the white gold have a wide choice of
activities and accommodation available in the main ski resorts.
The ski resorts of the Pyrenees have invested nine million euros on the Pyrenees Orientales resorts . The official opening of the majority of ski resorts in is around the first weekend of December
Remember your snow chains or snow tyres. The ’gendarmes’ will delight in fining you if you don't.