This charming region is full of history with its crumbling Cathar castles erupting from mountainous ridge tops, fabulous ancient cave painting’s still visible in certain caves today and the interactive museum for Prehistory at Tautavel. Photo below left is Peyrepetuse castle. Nicknamed ‘the lungs of Europe’ the seemingly endless forests are a wonder to behold, where you will enjoy many colourful butterflies, abundant wild flowers, rare fungi and birds of prey soaring above. If you are lucky you might even see the elusive wild boar, deer or stunning giant green lizards.

Local shops, including a butcher and general store are situated within five minutes drive to our gîtes in the pretty village of Le Vivier. There are several bars and restaurants within ten minutes drive in Caudies providing anything from a quick snack to a gourmet meal.

Fosse Swimming Pool (photo below right) is open during July/August summer months. Fosse offers free access to the swimming pool and tennis courts only 5 minutes walk and Le Vivier provides a general store and mini golf course, 10 minutes walk in the opposite direction.

 

Within an hour you can visit the secluded rock pools at Pezilla, Roman Aqueduct at Ansignan, Gorges and plunge pools of Galamus at St Paul.

Mediterranean beaches for a day lazing in the sun to name just a few. Also within an hour's drive is the larger town of Perpignan (photo left), the gateway to Spain with museums, restaurants, extensive shopping areas and enormous hypermarkets.

For longer days out, a drive of between an hour and two hours takes you to the walled city of Carcassonne (photo below right) one of France’s most popular attractions, the duty free paradise of Andorra and the therapeutic thermal baths at Rennes les Bains. Choosing an inspiring day's outing is never a problem.