|
Available to let for holidays: Sleeps 4 to 6
Collioure is small fishing port with 2,750 inhabitants, 20 km from the town of Perpignan and less than 20 km from the Spanish border. The village is of medieval origin famous for its fortified church and royal chateau which both dominate the harbour. The small harbour is famous for anchovy fishing and the Catalan barques are still present, but in private use. These sights have inspired artists such as Matisse, Picasso and many more. The village is now famous for the artists who have taken up residence - many hours can be spent browsing amongst the numerous artists’ studios. Famous also for its seafood, it boasts many restaurants where an excellent meal, including wine, can be obtained for between €20 & €30 per head.
There are 4 small separate sandy beaches about 5 to 10 minutes walk downhill from the house, also a small harbour with hard standing for sailing dinghies. The coastline is rocky, with intermittent coves, which adds to the charm, being very untypical of the long sandy beaches of the Mediterranean. Lovely walks along the coast can access more beaches. Immediately at hand are Les Alberes, which are the foothills of the Pyrénées. Sunday and Wednesday are market days in Collioure with Saturday being market day in Port Vendres. There are plenty of shops in Collioure to serve your everyday need, but Port Vendres is recommended for big shopping as it has a good supermarket. A Syndicat d'Initiative is located in the centre of Collioure. In the height of summer there is plenty to do for all age groups but out of season it resumes a rather special charm of a sleepy little fishing village of bygone France.
ACCOMMODATION
Upstairs are two double bedrooms. Front room: One double and one single bed. Rear bedroom: two single beds. There is also a single Z bed which can be moved to any room you desire or into the lounge area. There is a large bathroom with shower and a separate toilet. Downstairs is the living area, comprising an open style kitchen with refrigerator, washing machine, cooker with electric oven, gas hobs and rotisserie, double sink and breakfast bar, dining table and chairs, large living area with comfortable sofa and a pair of arm chairs extending onto a private terrace with its own furniture. There is also a separate toilet downstairs. A barbecue is provided for use on the terrace. There is a separate garage.
Bed
linen is provided for those who do not wish to take their own linen. However,
you will need to wash the linen in the machine and dry them before leaving.
The choice is up to guests as to whether they take their own linen or
use that provided in the house. Pillows and quilt are provided for the
Z bed. PHOTOS
TRAVEL & COMMUNICATION One of the reasons why we bought a house in Collioure, in addition to the charm and climate, was because it has excellent communications by road, rail and air with the United Kingdom.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The
house is situated 10 to 15 minutes walk from the centre of this small
village and enjoys truly magnificent views over the Mediterranean. It
is sited in a small modern residential area which has a shared swimming
pool (open June - September) and extensive terrace and communal gardens
all overlooking the Mediterranean and the pool.
For
those who are a little more adventurous, the Spanish border is very close,
some 20 kms. Travelling along the coast road to the Spanish border, you
will encounter Port Vendres, Banyuls and Cebère.
In the opposite direction, Argelès
sur Mer, St Cyprien and Canet Plage. A car drive away are the Pyrénées
where the scenery resembles that of Switzerland. In summer lovely walking
can be had in this area and in winter, skiing is available in this part
of France. Do try Le Petit Jaune Chemin de Fer that leaves from Villefranche
and takes you up into the Pyrénées.
The
house is operated on a "leave as you expect to find it basis"
and this has worked exceedingly well and has proven to be much more reliable
than having a 'femme de ménage'. The house is very simple to keep
clean and tidy, all floors being tiled and is well equipped. A full inventory
is sent to all guests prior to their departure.
By
road it is approximately 1000 km (600 miles) from Le Havre or 1,250 km
(740 miles), from Calais. For example the journey from Calais to Collioure
can take approximately 14 hours drive time.
By
air there are several alternatives. To Perpignan (which is the nearest
airport about 30 minutes drive) there are direct flights all year from
Stansted to Perpignan with 
By
rail: This is a good route which takes the strain out of driving across
France - put your car on the train at one of the Channel ports in the
afternoon and by next morning you wake up in Narbonne which is about 80
kms to Collioure. There is a train service from London Victoria departing
everyday during the summer, via Paris, leaving about midday and arriving
in Collioure the following morning. This service is direct on certain
days in summer.