View from the Albères on the Roussillon Plain with its coastline.
The Surroundings
When travelers talk about "Southern
France", they often have in mind the
Provence or the Côte d'Azur.
But on the French mainland, there is a
southernmost beautiful place with a lot
of sun and a great diversity: the
Roussillon - also wellknown as North
Catalonia
Where the Pyrenees slip into the sea.
Where the decision is easy to take when
it comes to the question of whether to
spend the holidays at the seaside or in
the mountains.
Where even in the high season there is a
lot of free space on the beaches.
Where eating out is still affordable.
Where you like to return ...
Roussillon, Pyrénées-Orientales or North Catalonia
As varied as the geographical names is the area itself where, depending on the season,
it is no contradiction to lay on the beach and go skiing in the mountains on the same
day.
The Pic du Canigou 2786 m / 9140 ft
The area around the Lake Coumasse is always worth a day trip.
The address of the "Villa Petit Reve" promises plenty of recreational value:
Latour-Bas-Elne near Saint-Cyprien is a typical and quiet Roussillon village
with about 2200 inhabitants. The famous sandy beaches between Port Barcarès
and Argelès-sur-Mer, as well as the tourist centers are located only a few
minutes away by car. The 27-hole golf course of Saint-Cyprien, many
restaurants, nightclubs and bars, as well as the second largest marina in the
Mediterranean are 5 to 10 minutes from your rental. The Aqualand with its
nice water attractions can be reached by car in 5 minutes.
The name Elne is a synonyme for history, art en culture.
Noteworthy at the Cathedral of St. Eulalie to Elne are the foundations of a
planned but never built Gothic choir next to the impressive west work with the two
different towers. There is a modest Romanesque choir with its three apses. Two
small museums in the cloister tell the long and varied history of the town. The
Musée Terrus in Elne commemorates the painter Étienne Terrus.
The cloister of the St Eulalie Cathedral.
Within walking distance of the Villa Petit Rêve there are two supermarkets, a
well-known fastfood restaurant, a bakery and numerous shops for your daily
needs.
The view from the Villa Petit Rêve shows the charm of the area: the Pyrenees
culminate in this area with the impressing Pic du Canigou - the mountain of the
Catalans - up to 2786 m / 9140 ft. The Albères as the eastern foothills of the
Pyrenees culminate at 1256 m / 4120 ft in the Pic Neulos that can be easily
identified by the radio and TV Transmitter (on the left hand of the picture).
Very popular are trips with the Yellow Train of the SNCF - the Train Jaune -
which travels on the fantastic Cerdagneroute. Open wagons are used in the
summertime; a must for nature, mountain and train lovers! (C) SNCF
The capital of the Département #66 is Perpignan - a bustling city with charming
city districts and huge shopping malls.
Medical care in that area is excellent. The major hospitals of Perpignan and
Cabestany can be reached from the cottage in about 20 minutes. Several general
practitioners and some specialized physicians are within 1 to 2 km from the "Villa
Petit Rêve".
Picture sources beside SNCF and own pictures: Wikipedia
