No pets allowed Not suitable for children under 5 Not suitable for elderly or infirm No smoking at this property Self-catering
Home description
Nestled in the foothills of the French Pyrenees, Ceret is the perfect location for a relaxing, cultured stay. Within its winding streets and squares lies "Isis", 16bis Rue de Vieux Ceret. Once two townhouses, this 16th Century maison de ville has been classically refurbished while retaining the French traditional features like stone coving, wooden ceiling beams and the original terracotta floor tiles. Built as part of the original walled city consisting of the Church and two curved cobblestone streets, "Isis" is a perfect location to explore this delightfully shady, yet bustling town.
Begin with the bakery that opens at 7am and is 30 seconds away from "Isis". From the Easter Procession to the Cherry Festival in June, there is always plenty to see and do in Ceret itself. You will certainly enjoy the fountains, cafe terraces, the Museum of Modern Art, public swimming pool, bullring, sports grounds and the busy Saturday markets.
view from Les Tins carpark
sittingroom
large double bedroom
view from rooftop terrace
To see more photos please visit http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/76033
The Languedoc-Roussillon / Pyrenees-Orientales region
Pyrenees-Orientales is the area of Languedoc-Roussillon that borders Spain so short trips across the border for lunch, shopping or sightseeing are easy. The beauty of Ceret is that you can hike in the mountains in the morning, then cool off with a swim in the Mediterranean in the afternoon, then chill-out in Ceret the evening with dinner and a glass of wine while you are entertained by street musicians. Then stroll home!
Visitors who are flying to Gerona Airport in Spain can take the low cost Frogbus transfer between Gerona Airport and Perpignan. Go online at frogbus.com and arrange to be dropped off at Le Boulou, just past the French border, and to have a taxi waiting to take you to Ceret.
A car would enable visitors to you to visit the many villages of the area or to drive to Spain in half an hour. The famous Salvador Dali museum in Figueres is less than an hour away and Barcelona is two hours drive south of the border. Ceret's outdoor public swimming pool is open during July and August. Other sports facilities include a boules area, tennis courts, basketball courts, rugby and soccer grounds and a bull ring and lakeside beaches in nearby St. Jean Pla de Corts. Popular Argeles sur Mer and Coulliere are on the Mediterranean Sea 30 minutes' drive from Ceret.
Ceret area
Like Collioure Ceret was a favourite spot with many great modern artists including Picasso and Braque. In the 1910's Ceret was regarded as the 'Capitol of Cubism'. There is a famous Museum of Modern Art with several cubist paintings, a Picasso collection and works by Chagall, Dali, Miro, Matisse and Juan Gris. Many of these artists came to visit the Catalan sculptor Manolo (1872-1945) and the composer Deodat de Severac (1873-1921) who lived here at the time when many famous artists came to Ceret. Aristide Maillol, the sculptor from Banyuls made a war memorial for the town. Many visitors take a daytrip to Figueres to tour the gallery designed by Salvador Dali to display his large paintings. etchings and other artwork.
Sport fans will delight in the many facilities in Ceret including grounds for soccer, rugby, tennis, swimming, basketball or watching bull fighting. There is also a large bicycle rental shop near the house. Enjoy a short drive to the lakes and beaches at St. Jean de Pla Courts or a half-hour drive to the seaside with beautiful beaches or a stroll through the picturesque seaside village of Collioure. There are regular buses to central Perpignan for a day of sightseeing. You can drive north 2 hours to the fabulous castle at Carcassone or 2 hours south to fabulous Barcelona. Drive further up the valley of the River Tech visit small towns, take a daytrip to Andorra or ride the famous Yellow Train into the Pyrenees Mountains. The Pyrenees are a paradise for serious hikers or casual hillwalkers. The Tourist Office in Ceret gives free details of all these activities and attractions and the owner of "Isis" will provide brochures on request when you book a stay.
Ceret is proudly Catalan with a Catalan Culture Centre in Place Pablo Picasso where there is regular open-air Sardana dancing. In early Spring there is the Mardi Gras Carnival and on Easter Sunday there is a colourful religious procession and open air Mass. The big Sardana Festival is usually in July. However the most exciting festival in Ceret is the week-long Cherry Festival (hence the name Ceret) in the first week of June. There is a parade, a lot of entertainment and the popular outdoor market with a wide variety of food, produce and wine, many with that essential ingredient, yes, cherries!
How to get there
This large maison de ville is in the heart of Ceret which is 25km from Perpignan Airport or Perpignan train (TGV) + bus station, with a regular daytime bus service to Ceret. The town is a 1.5 hour drive from Gerona Airport, Spain or take the Frogbus from Gerona Airport + taxi from Le Boulou (12kim), Carcassone or Barcelona Airports 2 hours from Ceret.
The house is in the heart of Ceret and there are enough nearby activities and regular public transport so a car is not required. If hiring a car from Gerona or Barcelona Hertz is recommended because they have a service in Perpignan and don't charge extra for cross-border service.
Directions: From the A9 motorway from Perpignan to Barcelona take the Le Boulou exit, the last before the border, and turn inland for 12 km. Ceret is well-signposted. Park for free in Les Tins public carpark and the house is 2 minutes from the Museum of Modern Art.
Nearest Travel Links
Airport:
Perpignan: 25 km
Railway:
Perpignan - TGV: 25 km
Activities near Ceret
Sports: Tennis in town Horse Riding Golf within 30 mins drive
Great for: Walking holidays Good nightlife City breaks Cycling holidays
Sofabeds (1), Single beds (2), Double beds (2), Cots (1), Dining seating for 6, Lounge seating for 6, Sleeps maximum of 6
Other:
Please check with the advertiser regarding linen and towels.
Outdoors:
Balcony / Terrace
Further details indoors: Spacious is the word that best describes this large three-storey house with 650 sq.ft. of comfortable living space on each of the two floors above the ground floor entrance and rez-de-chaussee. The first floor consists of a modern kitchen, dining room and living room with satellite TV, fans for warm weather and a cast iron stove for cosy winter nights.
The top floor has sleeping accommodation for 5 or 6 people in two double bedrooms, each with a balcony, and a mezzanine area suitable for sleeping. The large bathroom is also on this floor. You can just imagine having breakfast on the large rooftop terrace with panoramic views of the surrounding town and hills. Ceret is a quiet town and Rue de Vieus Ceret is too narrow for cars so "Isis" is very peaceful.
Further details outdoors: You will especially enjoy the tranquil delights of strolling the winding cobblestone streets of Ceret , dining al fresco in the many nearby restaurants, attending classical concerts in the nearby Church and music college, and hiking in the hills overlooking the town. Visitors do not need a car to access Ceret because there is plenty of public transport from nearby airports and cities and there are 2 supermarkets, an Internet cafe and the outdoor market in Ceret. However free parking is available at Les Tins public carpark 3 minutes walk from "Isis".
Further details
Our local representative will meet you to give you the keys, answer any questions you may have, accept your damage deposit and sort out any difficulties that may arise during your stay. Linen supplied upon request for a small fee. The many stairs may be difficult for elderly or infirm visitors and the stairs and balconies make the house unsuitable for small children. There is a folding fabric cot/playpen for a baby and ample room for it in the large bedroom. Strollers or bicycles can be stored in the entrance hallway.
Conditions
Long term lets in wintertime. Reductions for lets of 2 weeks or more. 25% deposit secures booking with remaining 75% due 6 weeks before letting. Any questions willingly answered via e-mail or telephone. Owner also speaks basic French and Spanish. Tourist brochures sent upon request after booking.
Rental rates
Rental prices originally quoted in: British £
Convert to:
Period
From
To
Weekly
Nightly rate
Minimum stay
Weekday
Weekend
winter weeks
7 Nov 08
28 Feb 09
200£200
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0-
1 Week
spring weeks
28 Feb 09
16 May 09
330£330
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1 Week
early summer
16 May 09
27 Jun 09
400£400
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0-
1 Week
high summer
27 Jun 09
29 Aug 09
450£450
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1 Week
September
29 Aug 09
3 Oct 09
375£375
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0-
1 Week
October
3 Oct 09
7 Nov 09
275£275
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0-
1 Week
winter weeks
7 Nov 09
27 Feb 10
200£200
0-
0-
1 Week
spring weeks
27 Feb 10
15 May 10
330£330
0-
0-
1 Week
early summer
15 May 10
26 Jun 10
400£400
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1 Week
81
NB: Prices may be subject to change at the advertiser's discretion.
Off-season midweek-to-midweek may be arranged; reduced rates for multiple weeks; breakage deposit to local representative on arrival; fee per person for linen; contact owner in Ireland with any queries by e-mail.
Guestbook for Isis
We had a wonderful holiday in Ceret and at your Maison de Village 16bis . We were really pleased with the beds, bedrooms and all the facilities and especially the retreat to the roof top patio. Then there was the old town! Decorated by tall grand plane trees, the streets had a picturesque presentation, especially with the Cherry Festival decorations swinging across the boulevards . The lack of anything but basic French was not a hinderance because everybody tried as hard to speak English as I did French and there were always others ready to help. The Tourist Information Office was always ready to help in perfect English.
They supplied a rambling guide and we found ancient stone paths up the mountain behind Ceret . Water chattered down narrow viaducts beside the path and there were many different places where views of Ceret were framed by the trees. We walked to Amelie-les- Bains one day and took the bus back. Walked both ways to Maureillas-les-Illas, a similar medieval town. The bus schedules were easy to figure and one could go anywhere as long as you went to Perpignan first. Perpignan is a terrific city and the palace there is the oldest in France. We ended up in Collioure for a salt water swim and a good day checking out the artists and the charming shops and restaurants. We found that we were much better off without a car rental. It forced us to get moving and we saw more as we went. I saw that in July and August the bus goes to Collioure direct from Ceret.
We ate in your recommended Catalan dining room a couple of times and were impressed with the really good food and the mom and pop owners who conducted cheery dinners. At the bottom corner of your street a new small dining room opened a couple of days before I arrived and we ate there many times. It also serves Catalan food and is very good and slightly less money. Most of the time we cooked our food and ate in our great town house. The market on Saturdays offered a vast choice of foods, all fresh, and good local wines to go with it. There were great hand-crafted gifts there as well. Daily, early morning, I would beetle down to the organic baker to get the day's bread, oven warm and delicious.
I would highly recommend the holiday in Ceret. The air inspires the exercise, the fresh offerings of fruit and veggies all make one healthier and, even after being immersed back in the grind of my office work, I still feel as though I have had a holiday and the smile will not leave my face.
Thanks for all the information you provided in advance, including the brochures and train and bus schedules. John from Canada
Availability
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To contact this advertiser please visit: http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/76033
Contact details for the advertiser of home 76033
Name:
Sheena W. McMahon
Tel:
+353 861 010959
Be aware of time-zones Please mention Holiday Lettings when contacting this advertiser
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