Want to take a winter break in France where you can relax, explore cities, walk on beaches and enjoy a couple of days’ skiing in beautiful mountains? Our tip is to head for the Pyrénées Mountains in the south west.

Many holiday properties accessible to popular destinations like Perpignan, Céret and the pretty Mediterranean port of Collioure are also within reach of the Pyrénées slopes.  To find out more, browse our villas, farmhouses and gites in Pyrénées-Orientales.

One great example is El Couloumer,  a year-round villa in Arboussols in Catalan Country, surrounded by vineyards and woodland. Owners Toni and Michael Howarth love winter here because they can have breakfast in sunshine on the terrace looking at snow capped mountains, then drive to one of nine different ski resorts within an hour, spend about four hours skiing and come home to a blazing log fire in time for dinner.

 

“The ski resorts open in November and skiing is usually great in February and March – even up to Easter. We are happy to offer our villa to holidaymakers during the winter months so they can share all that we love about the area. It’s a 30 minute drive to Perpignan on the Mediterranean coast and the beaches of Canet, Argeles and St. Cyprien are 50 minutes away. So visitors can combine skiing, beaches, lakes and even exploring Spain.”

El Couloumer is featured in our latest article in French Property News magazine, along with some tips for holiday property owners in this area. The November ski issue is on sale now in print and digital editions.