Stone-built House with Private Pool and Secure Garden, on Edge of Small Catalan Town.
Local Food Shops within 5 Minutes Walk. Centre of Town 10 Minutes, Beaches 30km
Sleeps 6 (3 bedrooms)
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Located on the edge of the historic and artistic town of Ceret, in the lovely Tech valley, this traditional french property provides an excellent touring base for this region of Cathar castles, vineyards, cherry orchards, and long sandy Mediterranean beaches(30 mins). Situated on the lower slopes of the Pyrenees (just walk uphill from the town into the forests) and 10 miles from the Spanish border - go to Figueres ( Dali Museum) for supper, or to the spa town of Amelie-les-bain just up the valley. Perpignan (20km) is a lively town, with great shops, a Moorish castle, museums,concerts, restaurants and local festivals all summer, the pretty artistic town of Collioure is 30 minutes away. For the more energetic there are various extreme sports available locally, or stay cool under the huge palm trees in the garden and dip into the pool. Adventurous or lazy, it's a perfect place for a holiday. Perpignan 25 minutes, Carcassonne and Girona 90 mins, Barcelona 150 mins.
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| Rental Period | Per Night | Per Week | Per Month | Min. Stay (Nights) |
| 1 March 2012 - 30 March 2012 | £680 | 3 | ||
| 31 March 2012 - 27 April 2012 | £780 | 3 | ||
| 28 April 2012 - 15 June 2012 | £850 | 7 | ||
| 16 June 2012 - 29 June 2012 | £930 | 7 | ||
| 30 June 2012 - 20 July 2012 | £980 | 7 | ||
| 21 July 2012 - 17 August 2012 | £1050 | 7 | ||
| 18 August 2012 - 1 September 2012 | £980 | 7 | ||
| 1 September 2012 - 30 September 2012 | £875 | 7 | ||
| 1 October 2012 - 31 October 2012 | £780 | 3 |
Notes on prices
All prices are in pounds sterling. We will accept also euros based on current rate of exchange.
Please contact me for information on winter lets.
The pool is open from 1 May - 1 October, but may have a cover on after September 1st.
Changeover day
Preferably Saturday, especially in high season, but other days considered with negotiation. Please arrive after 4pm and before 8pm. Please leave the house by 10am to allow time for cleaning.
Accommodation
| Bedrooms: | Bedroom 1 - extra large double bed. Bedroom 2 - extra large double bed. Bedroom 3 - 2 single beds. |
| Bathrooms: | Bathroom with large shower, basin and wc. Utility room with basin and wc. |
| Kitchen: | Well-equipped kitchen has electric cooker with oven, fridge/freezer, dishwasher, sink , and dresser with cupboards. Marble worktop and plenty of china. |
| Utility Room: | Washing-machine, basin and WC. Iron and small ironing board. Hair-dryer. |
| Living Rooms: | There is one huge living space - with comfortable seating around a large coffee table, and a wood-burning stove for winter. Some of the chairs may be taken outside for more comfortable summer seating. The extendable dining table could seat 10. |
| Other: | There is a small back terrace that is shady in the afternoons, and a good place for an isolated read away from the rest of the family! |
| Cleaning/towels/ linen/maid service: |
The property is cleaned prior to arrival. Towels and linen are provided, but not swimming towels. Extra cleaning, towels and linen change can be arranged during holiday, payable locally. |
| Amenities/Facilities: | hob/stove oven fridge/freezer dishwasher washing machine iron/ironing board air conditioning cot high chair barbecue private pool (for sole use of guests) |
| Location Type: |
Notes on accommodation
The garden is large enough to play football, but it is not 'toddler friendly' (spiky plants). The thick stone walls keep the house reasonably cool in summer - the front faces west so the garden gets all the afternoon sun, but there is plenty of shade on and off the paved terrace. There are sun loungers by the pool, and garden chairs and tables near the house.
Accessibility
The house is not adapted for wheelchair users, but it is on one level. The garden slopes gently and there are no steps, in the house or garden, apart from a ledge at the front gate.
Outside
The pool is for visitors use only. It is 7 x 4 metres, and 1m-1.9m deep. It is cleaned once a week, usually on Tuesdays. The pool area is terraced at one end and down one side with an area for loungers, etc. There is a good unclimbable fence around the pool, with a self-closing, and lockable, gate. There are a few lilos/plastic crocodiles etc for use in the pool. The barbecue is near the house, and there is plenty of wood. The outdoor tables and chairs are found on a paved terrace, but can be moved under the trees for extra shade.
Coast/Beach
The miles and miles of long sandy beach at Argeles is 30 minutes drive - maybe a bit more in summer traffic, where you will find all kinds of beach sports available, or plenty of space to escape the crowds. There are several small bays accessible on the beautiful Cote Vermeille (about 45 minutes). The daily morning fish market at Port Vendres is worth an outing and lunch!
Golf
There are several golf courses over the border into Spain, about an hour away. One is about to be built locally, but not yet completed.
Skiing
Font-Romeu in the next valley (between Perpignan and Andorra) is the nearest place for skiing, with lifts. It is about an hour and a half driving, or train from Perpignan, which also goes to Andorra.
Special interest holidays
Walking/ climbing in the Pyrenees. We can put visitors in touch with registered trained guide, who can accompany groups to all levels of ability.
Travel
Perpignan, 25 kilometres, 30 minutes drive. Caracassonne - 1 hour 30 minutes. Girona - 1 hour 30 minutes. Barcelona - about 2 hours 30 minutes.
Distances
Ceret is a small market town, unmissable market on Saturdays. Picasso and his friends stayed here and left a wealth of paintings that can be seen in the fine art gallery. Perpignan is 20 kilometres away, and a great centre for concerts, shops, Catalan museum, Moorish Castle etc. Walkers will love the Alberes region of the Pyrenees, and exploring the beautiful Tet Valley. Excursions could include a trip to Spain (Figueres and the Dali Museum), and the lovely resorts of St. Cyprien and Collioure.
Further details
Within 5 minutes walk from the house there is a 7 day opening supermarket, a patisserie, and a very good butcher. In town there are larger supermarkets, and plenty of restaurants, pavement cafes, small shops, banks and small galleries.
Booking notes
Text on my mobile or email me to book. Deposits of 30% needed to secure a booking. Final payments due 8 weeks before holiday. In 2012 - bookings for April and May €100 off stated prices ( per week).
Guest comments
'You have created a little gem here'. Camilla.
'Wonderful place to be based, thank you so much'. Mary.
'We stayed on an extra week' Deirdre
Owner profile
About the owner
My sister and I bought this house in 2002 as an escape to the sun. I live in Ireland, and my sister in Canada, and this is where we spend time together. She is an artist so comes to paint, sunbathe, and cook luscious food with the wonderful local ingredients and I just potter about, swim in the pool and the sea, and wander into town to meet friends in the pavement cafes. We renovated the main room from a barn, so it is a huge light and airy space with a single pitch roof. My favourite space is in the garden - Perpignan has a reputed 330 sunny days per year and the blue skies, even in winter, are such a bonus. This is the place I come to relax, mooch about and recharge, listen to the trees and see how many birds and butterflies come into the garden. I never miss the Saturday market.
Year purchased: 2002
Why the owner chose a home in this location
We chose this area because it has easy access from so many airports, and it is possible to get to the house using public transport, though having a car is a big bonus. We can, and do, walk into the forests of the Pyrenees straight from the centre of town. We love the Languedoc-Rousillon area, with its vineyards, Cathar castles, beaches, and proximity to Spain. It is a small town, quiet enough in the winter, but with enough lively festivals in summer to keep everyone happy.
Unique benefits of the property
We designed the property to have three sets of French windows that open directly into the garden (this was after we stayed at a farmhouse where every bedroom had french windows opening into an orchard). This means you can slip out into the garden in the cool of early morning without disturbing anyone, have a quiet early dip in the pool (I often do), or just enjoy the first cool moments of what will inevitably be a scorching hot day. Late at night you can swim under the stars. In the winter the log-burning stove heats the huge living room, and it becomes quite a different sort of house, dark outside, and cosy and warm by the stove. It's a great place to read all those books you meant to read, and we have a great stock to share.
For booking and further information
Property Ref FR6060
Contact Name:
Clare Bywater
(IRELAND) +353 214841517
Alternate Contact Details:
(IRELAND) +353 879698283
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Property Ref FR6060
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