Country house in Pyrénées-Orientales, France

Chrisjonbec details

South face of Chrisjonbec looking towards Canigou

Home description

House

Built in Catalonian style by a local French family this property certainly has character with absolutely stunning views from all living rooms, terraces and swimming pool of the village and Canigou (2,784 metres). Chrisjonbec is located on the edge of Vernet-Les-Bains (650 metres) in two thirds of an acre garden in a very quiet street. A riding stables is off the end of the road from which you can ride into the mountains.

The house and garden are in the sun all day and even in the winter catch the early morning sun unless it is one of the days in the year which do not have sunshine. This area makes the not unrealistic claim of having 300 days of sunshine per year. We have sat in the garden on 1st November with temperatures of 29C and temperatures over 20C at Christmas are common.

The views from this property are absolutely stunning with mountains all around yet far enough away to allow sun all day winter and summer. The village is almost in a 'cup' causing a micro climate of slightly warmer mountain air.

Village

Vernet-Les-Bains is located in an area with mountains on all sides so has its own micro climate. The village rises to a peak with a Church and Chateau at the top which with Canigou as backdrop is quite spectacular. Due to its location and presence of a spa the village is known as an extremely healthy area. There are many restaurants of different types, cafes, local market, bakers, butchers, supermarket, fuel station, doctors, chemist, various shops, sports facilities, geological museum, village arboretum and information centre.

Surrounding area

In the immediate surrounding area there is medieval fortified village Villefranche-de-Conflent with many shops, restaurants and train station where you can catch the yellow train which goes up the mountains to the ski resorts (or 50 minutes by car) and lakes which are absolutely stunning in all seasons. The Abbey of Saint-Martin-du-Canigou is a beautiful walk away after a short drive to the next village in one of the quietest places we have ever been. Caves, an animal park and amazing scenery in every direction. The area has many medieval heritage villages, wine caves, activities for all ages, beaches (50 minutes from Vernet) and Coullioure fishing village with its beautiful harbour and beeches (60 minutes from Vernet) which was inspirational for many works of art by André Derain, Georges Braque, Othon Friesz, Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Tsuguharu Fujita. Collioure's Royal Castle, medieval streets, lighthouse converted into Church Notre-Dame-des-Anges and Mediterranean bay have all inspired their paintings some of which can be seen in Coullioure and Ceret (80 minutes from Vernet).

Accommodation detail

Sitting room through dining room to kitchen

Kitchen (views through windows of Canigou)

Pool with view east Villfranche de Conflent

Move your mouse over the thumbnail to view

This house was built by M and Mme Canet, a local family from Vernet-Les-Bains. It is fitted out to an extremely high standard and is built with loads of French character. Chrisjonbec is fully equipped and capable of accommodating 14 people. The house has absolutely stunning views of Vernet Les Bains and Canigou, the highest peak of the eastern Pyrenees, from all living rooms and main bedroom. Beds are new and extremely comfortable.

First Floor (at ground level)

(Vehicle access to French windows for wheelchair access) 

• Fully equipped Kitchen
• Large Dining room with huge table leading through French window onto covered patio
• Large Sitting room with TV (English radio & TV and French TV) and DVD, 1 French window facing south (village and Canigou), 1 French Window facing west (mountains) and window facing north (mountains). High ceiling with window into Library on 2nd floor. Wood burner with fan which pumps heat to first floor bedrooms
• Main bedroom (double Tempur mattress) with French door onto balcony which leads to terrace looking at Canigou
• Bedroom 2 (twin or double) with door to balcony leading to terrace. Window looking at village and mountains
• Bedroom 3 (twin or double) with window looking at mountains
• Bathroom, Shower room and cloakroom

Cupboards, hallway with stairs to second floor and to ground floor

Second Floor

• Library with TV (English radio & TV and French TV), amplifier and speakers for guests MP3 or CD, seating and ‘clik clak’ double bed/sofa. Absolutely stunning view of Canigou through wrought iron windows
• Large Landing with single ‘put U up bed’
• Bedroom 4 (twin or double) with ‘porthole' window looking at village and mountains

Ground Floor

Front entrance to entrance hall to:

Stairs to first floor

• Bedroom 5 (twin or double plus small single) with shower room en-suite
• Games room
• Laundry room with washing machine, tumble drier and ironing facilities
• Shower room
• Cloakroom 

1 bedroom flat for on site caretaker with independent access

Garden

Chrisjonbec is in a self-contained garden which has a large swimming pool and terrace leaving a lawn adequate for a game of football. The pool is fenced with a gate with a security lock and covered with a motorised cover which stacks itself away from the pool.

• Two thirds acre with Walnut and Olive trees
• Fenced swimming pool
• Extensive patio area
• Garage for two cars with electric access
• Access to 1st Floor by foot or car
• Parking room for at least 6 cars

About the location

Village

Vernet-Les-Bains is exceptionally pretty with the old part rising to a point with Chateaux and Church at the top which makes a beautiful view from the house with the backdrop of Canigou.  The old part is built on a hill with with winding narrow streets leading to the Church and Chateau at the top. The village is extremely well served and a list of restaurants and shops etc is below. There is a restaurant at the top by the chateau with a fantastic view which also cooks great local food. The restaurant by the fountain in the village square serves a great Coq au Vin at a very reasonable price. The local spa with fitness and massage facilities is certainly worth a visit. There is a small market twice a week in the centre where the village, English speaking, policeman can usually be found and loves to have a chat. The village never seems crowded.

There are the following facilities in Vernet:

12 Restaurants, 3 Cafés-Bars, 1 Newsagent, 1 Supermarket, 2 Bakers, 2 Butchers, 1 Grocer,
1 delicatessen, 2 Petrol stations, 2 Hairdressers, 3 Taxi services, 2 Gift/souvenir shops,
1 "creator's shop", 2 Banks with cash machines, Post Office, Tourist Office, Police station,
Fire station, 1 youth informations centre, 1 Pharmacy, 6 Doctors

There are thermal pools in Vernet Les Bains as well as tennis courts, boules and various other sporting activities. All are within walking distance.

There are rock pools where swimming in rivers readily occurs within a 5 minutes drive.

Snow can be seen on the surrounding mountains during winter and spring. In fact we have  seen the last of the snow disappearing from Canigou at the beginning of June and then reappearing in October (2900 metres). Vernet is at 560 metres.

See Local guide and map for information on nearby towns and facilities.

Activities near by

Adventure park, Archery, Badminton, Ballooning, Billiards, Bird Watching, Boating, Boules, Canoeing, Canyoning, Caving, Ceramics, Cycling, Diving, Drawing and painting, Fishing, Flying, French tuition, Go karting, Golf, Gourmet dining, Gym, Hiking, Horse riding, Ice skating, Kayaking, Mountain biking, Paragliding, Photography, Photography, Pottery, Rambling, Riverside activities, Rock climbing, Sailing, Scuba Diving, Sea excursions, Shopping, Sightseeing, Singing, Skiing, Snorkelling, Snowboarding, Spa, Squash, Surfing, Swimming, Table tennis, Tai Chi, Tennis, Theme parks, Tree adventure park, Walking, Water skiing, Water sports, White water rafting, Wind Surfing, Wine tasting, Wine touring, Wood Turning, Yoga

See Activities and attractions for more information on nearby activities and places of interest.

How to get here

Directions by road:

• From Perpignan take the N116 in direction of Vinca, Prades, Andora
• Go past Vinca (Lake on you right)
• Take ring road round Prades and head for Villefrance de Conflent, Andora
• At Villefranche de Conflent roundabout take second exit (ANTI CLOCKWISE) to Vernet Les Bains

By Airplane:

• Perpignan (45 minutes)
• Carcassonne (1 Hour 45 minutes)
• Girona north of Barcelona (1 Hour 45 minutes)
• Toulouse (2 Hours 50 minutes)

From Carcassonne, Girona or Toulouse airports take motorway to Perpignan and follow directions by road

Check Ryanair, Flybe, BMI or Easyjet who, between them, cover most options or airport combinations (UK & France) you may wish to use

By Ferry and Car:

• Dover - Calais and then Motorway to Perpignan then 45 minutes to Vernet Les Bains
• There is access to/from the French and Spanish motorway networks at Perpignan

By Train:

• TGV from Waterloo to Perpignan then train to Villefranche de Conflent (5 minutes from Vernet Les Bains)
• From Barcelona (TGV soon) to Perpignan then train to Villefranche de Conflent (5 minutes from Vernet Les Bains)

Car Hire:

• Perpignan Airport
• Girona Airport
• Carcassonne Airport
• Toulouse Airport
• Perpignan

We find Hertz very helpful

Please ask Alastair or Debbie for any advise about transport

See Local guide and map for information on nearby towns and airports.