Villa Estelle

Outdoor kitchen and 'Les Trois Estelles' mountains

Villa Estelle is a detached four bedroom villa in the Catalan part of Languedoc-Roussillon, the sunniest corner of southern France. It is perfectly placed in a wide valley of forests, meadows and fruit orchards, halfway between the Mediterranean and the high Pyrenees, with both coast and ski resorts 45 minutes drive away. It has a private swimming pool in it's sun-drenched but lush and secluded garden. There are stunning mountain views in all directions, including Mount Canigou, which remains snow-capped for most of the year. There is wonderful hiking on the doorstep and many other sporting and cultural activities nearby. Numerous fortified villages and monasteries, often perched in improbable but spectacular hill top positions, provide the focal point for fascinating excursions. The Conflent area boasts four of the ‘Plus Beaux Villages de France’, including the walled town of Villefranche, 5 minutes drive away. The villa is easy to reach and has excellent amenities close at hand.

Mount Canigou from outdoor dining area

Dining/living room

 

Prices Currency Conversion

 

Changeover day
Changeover day normally Saturday but negotiable, especially out of season.

Accommodation

 

Notes on accommodation
The villa is child friendly with no steep steps or drops and the pool is easily visible from all the main living areas. There are adjustable electric wall heaters in all rooms. Cots and high chairs can be provided upon request. Pets may be accepted after individual discussion.

Outside
10 x 4m private pool in secluded garden with Mediterranean flora and spectacular mountain views. Outdoor kitchen with in-built barbecue. Paved patio with 8 sun loungers. Shaded poolside dining area with outdoor table and seating for 8.
Petanque court in garden. There is off street parking at the front of the villa and a double garage.

Coast/Beach
Mediterranean beaches are 45 mins drive away. Many of the long sandy beaches near Perpignan are bordered by large shallow salt water lakes (salanques) populated by flocks of flamingos. Further south the Cote Vermeille has a more undulating quality with a string of coves and attractive fishing ports extending down to the Spanish border. The 'jewel in the crown' is Colliourre where the picture postcard harbour became a gathering point for artists, including Matisse and Picasso.

Golf
Nearest golf course (St Cyprien) 40 mins.

Skiing
Ski resorts such as Pyrenees 2000, Font Romeu and Les Angles are all within 25 miles of the villa. The route is direct along a good road, with spectacular scenery all the way. There is ample free parking at the resorts, and it is easy to obtain passes and arrange ski hire or ski school from the stations and shops adjacent to the car parks. The resorts offer extensive skiing to cater for all ranges of ability, in sunny and spectacular surroundings. The thermal baths at St Thomas-les-Bains are a popular stopping point for skiers en route home.

Travel
Perpignan airport (Ryanair, Flybe, Air France) 40 mins, several others (Carcassonne, Beziers, Girona/Barcelona) within 1.5 hours and Toulouse (BA) 2.5 hours. Motorail available from Calais to Narbonne (1.25 hours). Driving time from channel ports 10-11 hours. Use of a car more or less essential.

Distances
Villefranche-de-Conflent, 5 mins. Vernet-les-Bains, 10 mins. Prades, 15 mins. Perpignan, 40 mins, Andorra 90 mins.

Further details
There is a bar/restaurant in Fuilla, 150m from the villa, where bread can also be purchased in the mornings. 2km away at the village of Sahorre there is a bakery, restaurant and a local wine seller. More extensive shopping and dining facilities can be found at the nearby spa town of Vernet-les-Bains, where there are is a supermarket and petrol station, and Villefranche-de-Conflent, where there are many artisan shops and several good restaurants. The nearest bigger town is Prades, about 15 mins away, which has a weekly market, as well several larger stores, banks and a hospital. There is plenty of family entertainment close at hand. Villefranche, with it's medieval ramparts and guardian Fort Liberia perched on the hillside above, also offers prehistoric caves and dinosaur grottos. The 'Train Jaune' can be boarded here, offering a spectacular open top ride along the Têt valley to Mont Louis. Canoeing and swimming can be found 20 mins away in the fresh water lake at Vinca, where there is also an adventure park. There is an animal park at Casteil. From here and the adjacent Vernet-les-Bains, there are the short walks to the natural wonders of Les Cascades des Anglais and the Gorges du Cady, as well as the precipitously placed monastery of Saint-Martin-du-Canigou. For the more ambitious hiker, Mount Canigou itself can be conquered in 3 – 4 hours on foot (or alternatively by 4 wheel drive vehicle, rentable in Vernet). The Spanish border is within range for a days round trip and the route along the Gorges de Caranca (30 mins drive) offers an exhilarating sequence of ladders and pedestrian bridges, some suspended above dizzying vertical drops. Near the ski resorts, the Cerdagne and Capcir plateaus form high plains surrounded by mountains. Stunning scenery and undisturbed wildlife make the area a walker’s paradise and the sunshine, pure air and an average altitude of 1200m attracts many top class athletes who use the area as a training ground.

Booking notes
20% deposit required on booking to secure reservation with the balance payable 6-8 weeks before start of rental period. Damage deposit £300.

For booking and further information

 

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This advertiser joined Owners Direct in May 2009,
and has advertised this property with us since June 2009.

Property Ref FR5208
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