In southern France in the foothills of the Pyrenees, close to the border with Spain, Domaine Les Pyrénées is set in 100 acres of pine forests and just 3km to one of France’s classified ‘Plus Beaux Villages’.
The small local village, under a 10-minute drive away, is one of the most enchanting medieval villages of the region. In a hillside setting, surrounded by glorious scenery, potter around its cobbled lanes with little artisan shops, studios and restaurants. Perched above the village is a castle which dates as far back as the 10th century – whilst it is not currently open to the public due to renovations, it is a great sight as you gaze up from the village.
The nearest town is Thuir (9km) where you will find further useful amenities including a supermarket, a greater choice of restaurants as well as the impressive Théâtre des Aspres which hosts a number of cultural events. Another popular place to visit in Thuir is Caves Byrrh where you can take a tour of the wine cellars and sample their famous wine. Overall, Thuir is an atmospheric town with shady squares, pretty lanes and lovely terrace cafes and restaurants. Furthermore, look out for the wonderful produce for sale at the Saturday morning market.
Admire the fascinating rock formations of the Orgues near Ille-sur-Têt, around 30km away, or hike through the stunning landscapes of this region with its woodland, olive groves, vineyards and garrigue. The house-manager will gladly help you with the best routes or assist you with organising horse-riding or mountain biking in the region.
Then of course there is the grand city of Perpignan, reached in around half an hour, with its riverside setting, charming medieval quarter, historic cathedral, lively markets and impressive 13th century palace, Palais des Rois de Majorque. There’s a distinct Catalan vibe across the city with North African influences too – seek out some amazing food in the Arabic quarter. If the vibrancy of Perpignan is too much, head to Parc Sant-Vicens for a relaxing walk in picturesque surroundings.
The coast can be reached in under an hour with long stretches of sandy shores, beachside restaurants and various watersports. If you prefer wilder beaches, head south of Saint-Marie whilst the beachfronts at Canet-en-Roussillon and Saint Cyprien have plenty of amenities.
The gorgeous little town of Céret (40km) is also worthy of a visit with its delightful ambience and Museum of Modern Art featuring works by Picasso, Dali and Matisse as well as local artists. Another artistic gem is the coastal village of Collioure (42km) with its attractive seafront, twice-weekly market and beautiful old town.
Other places to consider travelling to include the Cathar castle, Château de Quéribus, around an hour away, incredible gorges for more hiking and swimming opportunities, the magnificent area around Mont Canigou or yet more idyllic mountain villages such as Eus (35km), Villefranche-de-Conflent (45km) and Mosset (50km).
The Region
A relatively new addition to France, the Midi-Pyrénées was created to surround the cultural capital of Toulouse in the late 1970s. You might think that its relative youth would mean the Midi-Pyrénées is short on character or identity, but remember, this is France we’re talking about – the whole country is steeped in history and tradition.
Encompassing parts of Gascony, Languedoc, the Gers and several others, you’ll get a varied slice of the whole French experience here, not least if you stay at one of our beautiful chateaux in the Midi-Pyrénées!
