Catalan Cottage in the Pyreneen Foothills

The Cottage details

Home description

For several hundred years, Les Hostalets, a pretty hamlet, was a staging post between the mountains and the Mediterranean.  Tucked away in the foothills of the Pyrenees, it is a wonderful spot for walkers and cyclists with many circular trails starting and finishing at the front door.  It is also perfect for those wishing to potter in the countryside, relax on the roof terrace and enjoy the occasional jaunt to Spain and the sea.

The house is one of about a dozen in the hamlet's single street.  All have shutters and are built from the same stone.  The residents are friendly and mostly bilingual in Catalan and French.

Accommodation detail

The house comprises:

• Kitchen/Diner - well equipped
• Living room - handsome stone-walled room with a wood-burning stove that is available all year round.  A television
• Two double bedrooms
• Bathroom - with shower
• Two separate toilets.

Outside

There is a large sunny roof terrace and a ground floor terrace.  There is a utility area with washing machine near the ground floor terrace where there is a washing line.

About the location

Culture

The area is rich in Romanesque architecture.  The abbeys at Serrabone and St Martin du Canigou are two fantastic examples.  The Castles at Queribus and, particularly, Peyrepertuse are spectacular.

The Museum of modern art at Ceret has some work by Picasso and the Dali museum at Figueres is just across the border in Spain.  There are always concerts, films and exhibitions in Perpignan.  Look out for listings in the local papers L'Independant and La Semaine.

There are a hundred or so books in the house including novels and guidebooks.

Shopping and eating

The nearest shops are in Fourques, a 10 minute drive away.  Thuir, about 15 minutes away has a bustling Saturday morning market and a good range of shops and restaurants including Hotel Cortie.  Other possible eating places include: Mas des Olivettes between Montauriol and Fourques.  La Costelle in Torderes and The Casa Sansa on Rue Fabriques Nadal off La Place des loges in Perpignan.  There are plenty of good fish restaurants along the coast particularly in Port Vendres which has a fish market.  Ceret, about half an hour away, has several good restaurants but Perpignan is probably best for supermarket shopping.  Auchan on the South side has just about everything.  For those looking for cheap booze, Le Perthus, on the Spanish border is awash with it!

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

Activities near by

Cycling, Walking, Gourmet dining, Shopping, Skiing, Golf, Horse riding, Sightseeing

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

How to get here

Many enjoy taking their time driving the length of France.  Others prefer to take advantage of the increasing number of budget flights to both French and Spanish airports.  In France, Perpignan is about forty minutes away, Carcassonne and Montpellier about an hour and a half away and Toulouse about a two hour drive.

In Spain, Girona is about an hour away and the drive to Barcelona airport takes about two and a half hours.  Car hire available at all airports. 

For the final part of the journey by road, take Exit 42 off the A9 and go through Thuir and Fourques.

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