Sorry - no pets allowed Suitable for children No smoking at this property Self-catering
Home description
"Aaah Collioure!" say those who have discovered it. The jewel of the Côte Vermeille is a sunny Catalan village, nestling among vineyards at the very foot of the Pyrenees on the Mediterranean coast, close to the Spanish border. The house, once a fisherman's cottage, is in a pedestrian street which leads down to the heart of the Faubourg, with its promenade, beaches, restaurants and artists' ateliers set against the backdrop of the mediaeval castle. The main living area is on the first floor, which has been redesigned to provide an airy open-plan living/ dining room with south facing French windows. Decorated to a high standard and comfortably furnished, it has TV/DVD/video player, and CD/tape/radio system. The adjacent galley kitchen has a gas/electric cooker, microwave, dishwasher, and fridge with generous freezer compartment. The separate laundry area behind this has a washer/tumbler-drier and iron.There are three bedrooms, one with a double bed, and two others with twin beds. On the first floor is a bathroom, with bath/ shower and separate WC. There is a second shower room on the ground floor with its own WC.
Plage d'Avall - the beach by the Faubourg
Open plan sitting room
View of Collioure
To see more photos please visit http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/24843
The Languedoc-Roussillon / Pyrenees-Orientales region
The Pyrenées-Orientales form the spectacular northern part of Catalonia, which stretches from just north of Perpignan down to the border with Valencia in Spain at Alcanar in the south; the Catalans have for centuries prided themselves on their distinctive culture and traditions, which set them apart from both the French and the Spanish. Here in the North, the region is defined by the towering presence of the mighty Pyrenees to the West, and the shimmering Mediterranean coast to the East.
The area is rich in history and architecture (Romanesque, Baroque and military). The stunning Chateau in Carcassonne, the vertiginous Cathar Castles, the Romanesque cathedral at Elne, that at Narbonne made famous in Verdi’s “Don Carlos”, and the unique fortress at Salses are all within 2 hours drive of Collioure. Perpignan, once the capital of Roussillon and now a lively commercial centre, is the nearest city; you can explore its bustling Arab quarter with its spice shops, or visit the Palace of the Kings of Majorca.
Just two hours away, Barcelona, the capital of Spanish Catalonia, is justly world-famous not only as a thriving political and commercial centre, but also as a cultural highlight which attracts millions of visitors every year.
Along the Mediterranean coast, you will find Banyuls, the most southerly seaside resort in France. It lies at the foot of the Albėres hills, with terraced vineyards tumbling down to meet the sea, and is famed for the sweet dark fortified wine which bears its name. The town is graced with tropical trees, wide streets and a fine promenade; it also boasts a marine nature reserve and sea observatory.
Very different is Port-Vendres, with its deep water port developed in the 17th Century by the famous military architect Vauban. Nowadays, during the Summer months, the harbour teems with yachts and boats of all shapes and sizes. But in addition, it is home to the most active fishing fleet on the Roussillon coast; the covered fish market is well worth a visit.
To the north of Collioure, the Albėres hills retreat from the sea, and the coastal plain widens; there are long stretches of sandy beach at Argėles, Canet Plage and St Cyprien.
Along the coast you will find water sports of all kinds; there is even a theme park ‘Aqualand’ at St Cyprien (20 minutes). If you head inland to the mountains you can try canyoning, rafting, paragliding or, more peacefully, canoeing, fishing and hiking, as well as magnificent bird and flower watching. Some of the mountain towns, such as Ax-les-Thermes or Amélie-les-Bains, have developed as spas due to the famed medicinal properties of their waters.
A breath-taking way to explore the mountains behind the coast is to take the ‘Train Jaune’ along the precipitous railway line from the fortified town of Villefranche-de-Conflent, through the Gorges of the Têt and up to the high plateau. There are magnificent views as the track climbs over viaducts and through tunnels to end 63 kilometers away near the Andorran border.
For Art lovers, there is the Museum of Modern Art at Céret, a hillside town surrounded by cherry blossom in Spring and justly famous for its delicious cherries. Further south, a little way into Spain, there is the exuberant Dali museum at Figueres, and his ‘house museums’ at Portlligat and Pubol.
Other attractions include caves to visit, and the strangely beautiful rock formation of ‘les Orgues’, while animal lovers may want to visit the African Game Reserve at Sigean (an hour’s drive away), or the nearby valley of the tortoises at Sorėde. There is also a crocodile farm (Pierrelatte) 3 hours away, perhaps something to do if you are driving home.
All this if you can tear yourself away from Collioure…………………..
Collioure / Faubourg area
“Collioure sera toujours Collioure” (Collioure Motto). A small bustling Catalan village, Collioure nestles among vineyards at the very foot of the Pyrenees on the Mediterranean coast, close to the Spanish border. It has a long and varied history, having been a settlement since Roman times: its position at the borders of France and Spain has involved it in many of the conflicts which have swept the area over the centuries. The Château Royal, a magnificent medieval castle, was used by the Kings of Majorca as a Summer Palace from the thirteenth century, and still looms over the seafront in the heart of the town. Not only does it make for a fascinating visit, but it is also the venue for a varied series of concerts and other entertainments during the season.
Another historic landmark of Collioure is the Eglise Notre-Dame-des-Anges, which “has its feet in the sea”. Its distinctive bell tower and unique rose dome was originally a tower of the fortress protecting the entrance to the port. The Church has an ornate interior dominated by a magnificent wooden altarpiece carved and covered with gold leaf by Catalan artist Joseph Sunyerand.
Nowadays this Catalan community has evolved into one of the most popular and charming holiday resorts in the south of France. It has managed to retain many of its historic features, as the central parts have been designated as conservation areas, so the jumble of streets round the waterfront areas has remained unspoilt by modern development and high-rise buildings. The result is a town where it is a delight to wander through the narrow, flower-festooned streets and alleys, never quite knowing where you’re going to end up or what you’re going to find round the next corner.
The exceptional number of sunny days, and the quality of the light, lured such artists as Derain, Matisse, and Picasso here in the early years of the last century. ”Le chemin du Fauvisme” is a route through the town where you can find twenty reproductions of Matisse's and Derain's works exactly where the two masters of Fauvism painted the originals; a similar walk has been done for Charles Rennie Mackintosh. In addition there is a local Museum which houses a changing exhibition of Modern Art, which is well worth an hour or two of your time. And indeed still to this day many artists have their ateliers in the streets around the centre of the town.
But there is more in Collioure than culture and history: there are also four fine beautifully clean beaches with very safe swimming in the startlingly clear water. During the summer there are rafts to swim out to for diving or just messing about on: there is also a scuba-diving school and, for the less adventurous, there is good snorkelling. Other water sports available range from pedaloes to kayaking and windsurfing, or you can take a boat trip around the surrounding bays and view the coastline from the sea. Other local activities include mountain biking, tennis, golf, riding etc. In addition, there are interesting walks in the hills around the town; a favourite is up to the old windmill or further up to the Fort St Elne, or you can wander through the vineyards from which the local wines are made. If you prefer to be less energetic, take the “petit train jaune” over to Port-Vendres and back.
In the town itself you will find a wealth of cafés and restaurants around the bays; there are small supermarkets, bakeries, butchers, pharmacies and so on, as well as shops selling anything from swimming costumes and beach towels to traditional hand-made espadrilles and souvenirs. On Wednesdays and Sundays there is a market in the central square, which teems with local produce, crafts, spices and wines from the surrounding vineyards.
Food and wine have featured in Collioure life since its days as a centre of the anchovy fishing trade. Anchovies are still a major part of the local Catalan cuisine, which has a distinctive character redolent of the tastes and smells of the varied local produce. There are several AOC wines from Banyuls and Collioure: the old Dominican Abbey in the town now houses the local Cave Co-operative.
There are festivals with fireworks at Christmas and on St Vincent’s Fête day. And during the summer there is always some form of street entertainment, from traditional Sardane dancing to musical events of all kinds
Of course you will discover many more things to do and see if you want to go further afield, as Collioure is an ideal base from which to explore the Catalan area and the eastern Pyrenees, and indeed Spain is only a short drive away
How to get there
You can travel to Collioure from the UK by road (and ferry/tunnel), rail or plane. The nearest airport is Perpignan, others within reach are Montpellier, Toulouse, Carcasonne and Girona (Spain) which is a European hub. Cheap flights are available from Ryanair, Easyjet, Flybe, BMI baby, and Jet2. Air France flies from Paris. For information about rail travel in France the SCNF have a good website.
Nearest Travel Links
Airport:
Perpignan: 37 km
Railway:
Collioure
Activities near Collioure
Sports: Tennis in town Watersports Waterpark Horse Riding Golf within 30 mins drive
Great for: Walking holidays Beach or lakeside relaxation Cycling holidays
Single beds (4), Double beds (1), Cots (1), Dining seating for 6, Lounge seating for 6, Sleeps maximum of 6
Other:
Linen and towels provided.
Further details indoors: There is plenty of storage space in wardrobes, drawers and shelves. The two interior bedrooms do not have windows but have glazed doors and an efficient air exchange ventilation system which is on all the time. Guests have commented on how well they sleep in these rooms. The heating system allows for all-year use. The stairs have a child safety gate at the top.
Further details outdoors: The Mediterranean with four differently styled beaches is really nearby so we don't need a pool. The house's central location means that a car is unnecessary.
Further details
Welcome pack provided on arrival. English-speaking representatives on hand to answer any questions and deal with any problems.
Conditions
Sorry no pets Non smoking house Damage deposit returned once agent has confirmed no damage
Rental rates
Rental prices originally quoted in: British £
Convert to:
Period
From
To
Weekly
Nightly rate
Minimum stay
Weekday
Weekend
January
1 Jan 07
1 Feb 07
350£350
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0-
1 Week
February
1 Feb 07
1 Mar 07
350£350
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0-
1 Week
March
1 Mar 07
1 Apr 07
500£500
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0-
1 Week
April
1 Apr 07
1 May 07
500£500
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0-
1 Week
May
1 May 07
1 Jun 07
550£550
0-
0-
1 Week
June
1 Jun 07
1 Jul 07
700£700
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0-
1 Week
July
1 Jul 07
1 Aug 07
900£900
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0-
1 Week
August
1 Aug 07
1 Sep 07
900£900
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0-
1 Week
September
1 Sep 07
1 Oct 07
700£700
0-
0-
1 Week
October
1 Oct 07
1 Nov 07
450£450
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0-
1 Week
November
1 Nov 07
1 Dec 07
350£350
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1 Week
December
1 Dec 07
1 Jan 08
350£350
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1 Week
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NB: Prices may be subject to change at the owner's discretion.
Guestbook
The many personal touches to the house made it exceptionally welcoming. The facilities provided covered every eventuality.
We really enjoyed the restaurants at the bottom of the road and bought wonderful pizzas from the man with the horn !
Our boys aged 2 and 6 loved the castle and wanted to explore every inch of it.
Really enjoyed our week and thought house was really well kitted out with everything good quality. … The whole experience was excellent and we hope to visit again soon.
Fantastic property in wonderful location.
Many many thanks – we will return !
Availability
See below for next 6 months' availability - to see the next 24 months click here
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Available
11
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Unknown
11
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Arrival/Departure dates
Contact owner
To contact this owner please visit: http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/24843
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