Céret - Languedoc Roussillon
Population
7600 Area 3786 ha (14.6 sq miles) Altitude 154 m (505 ft) |
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O ur accommodation nestled in the exclusivity of the “Heights of Céret’ enjoys an outstanding view of the Pyrenees and offers you a truly tranquil hideaway yet is just 7 minutes from Céret. Famed for its cherries and vineyards, the small medieval market town of Céret is full of activity – there are numerous restaurants and pavement cafes, a superb Saturday market (not to be missed!) and Picasso’s Museum of Modern Art. The town was once regarded as the Capital of Cubism: Picasso, Matisse, Braque, Duffy and Soutine all lived and worked here and today it is home to many working artists. Céret is located in the foothills of the Pyrenees, in France’s southernmost region. By being situated close to the Mediterranean coast and the mountains this magical unspoilt area has endless opportunities for exploring all year round. There are numerous historic villages to visit and French and Spanish beaches are within easy reach. What’s more – Céret enjoys 300 days of sunshine per year! Year-round, festivities are being organized in Céret. Mardi Gras is celebrated in February and the streets are alive with colourful costumes and the festive spirit. In March the valley is awash with white blossom as the cherry orchards show a promise of the fruit to come. Anxious farmers discuss the weather, so critical for the fruit for which Céret is so famed. One month later in May the town celebrates the arrival of its cherries, the first in France, with the Cherry Festival. No sooner is the cherry festival over and preparations begin for the Fête de la Musique, with free concerts in the town on MidsummerNight. In July Céret’s true Catalan heritage emerges during the Feria del Toros when bulls run through the streets and there is bull fighting in the arena. There are street bars and live music for which thousands of people flock to the town. If you are game to let your hair down, this Spanish-style party celebration is sure to give you a weekend you will never forget! And of course we celebrate Bastille day, July 14th, with a superb firework display! In August there is a big Sardana festival (The Sardane is a traditional Catalan Folk dance). And so the summer folk festivals continue right until the end of the season. |
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In the heat of summer towering plane trees shade the streets of the town. Cicadas sing from the treetops and there is the cooling sound of water as it rushes through the cobbled streets - dressed with flowers at every window box. With the combination of the festivities and the shady boulevards - there can be no better way to savour French life.
Just outside Céret there is a beautifully landscaped swimming lake at St Jean-Pla-de-Corts, ideal for families. In summer there is a lake-side restaurant and bar to be enjoyed under the shade of the trees. |
| In Céret
itself there is a public swimming pool open during summer months, with a
paddling pool for small children and close by there are tennis courts open
all year.
The range of activities available in the local area ensure that everyone’s tastes are catered for. Just 30 minutes away from Céret is the Dali museum in Figueras, Spain. This is well worth a visit. The Mediterranean coast, with its sandy beaches (ideal for windsurfing, sailing and swimming) is just 25 minutes by car and the Pyrenean mountain resorts take just 1 hour 40 minutes to reach. Here you can ski in the winter and go trekking in the summer. For yet more culture, restaurants, pavement cafes and shopping Perpignan, once the Capital of the Kings of Majorca, is just 35/40 minutes away and Gerona is reached in just over an hour. Throughout the area there are historic castles to be discovered, the area’s Spanish influences to be noted. In Céret and its surrounding area there are many fine Catalan, French and Spanish restaurants, ranging from intimate family auberges to Michelin-starred restaurants. The town has two large supermarkets, and at the food and crafts market
on Saturday mornings you can buy excellent bread, small hand-made cheeses,
local honey, cured meats, fresh oysters, local Roussillon wines and fresh
fruit and vegetables as well as other local and organic produce. In summer
months street artists add to the already electric atmosphere. |
