Villa La Cerisaie, Ceret.

Description for Gite

This stunning villa offers a range of amenities to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable stay. The ground floor features a laundry room with additional appliances, including an American style fridge and freezer, washing machine, and sinks. There is also a convenient shower and washroom. On the first floor, you will find four spacious double bedrooms, two of which boast beautiful carved Catalonian double beds. Another bedroom includes a charming French double bed. The children's room is equipped with four bunk beds and a single bed, along with a visitor's bed that can be used in any room for added flexibility. A cot and high chair are also available. Additionally, there is a fully equipped bathroom with a separate toilet on this floor. The first floor opens up to a large terrace with magnificent views of Mount Canigou, the pool, and the gardens below, providing a peaceful and private ambiance. Outside, there is a summer BBQ and kitchen area, as well as a summer house adjacent to the pool. Whether you choose to rent the entire villa or opt for a bed and breakfast arrangement, our attentive staff can cater to your needs.

Located in Ceret, this destination offers a mild climate, with hot and dry weather from June to September, and mild temperatures from October to May. You can even enjoy lunch on the terrace in warm winter sunshine. With an average of 300 to 320 days of sunshine per year, Ceret is a haven for art enthusiasts. It was once home to renowned artists such as Picasso, Matisse, Braque, Dufy, and Soutine, who worked and lived here in the early 20th century. The town's museum of modern art showcases an impressive collection of their works, and an annual prestigious art exhibition takes place. Ceret also hosts a popular Saturday market and various special events throughout the year, including a holy week parade, spring cherry festival, and a vibrant three-day Feria in July. The town comes alive with food, drink, music, and dancing in the streets during these festivities. Other notable events include the annual Sardane dance festival and Mediterranean Music Nights. Ceret is famous for its mimosa and cherries, with the latter traditionally being sent to the President of the Republic.

In addition to the town's offerings, there are plenty of attractions in the surrounding region. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore the rural pistes, vineyards, and hills through scenic walks. A footpath leads to the Ermitage de St. Ferreol, offering panoramic views of the Mediterranean coastline. For more adventurous hikers, the nearby Pyrenees foothills provide ideal trails marked on IGN maps. Mountain bikes are available for hire, and you can even reach the summit of Mount Canigou by driving most of the way and then completing the journey on foot. The area also offers a range of outdoor activities, including kayaking, canoeing, canyoning, pot holing, climbing, horse riding, trekking, sailing, fishing, golf, windsurfing, diving, and swimming.

For those interested in cultural experiences, a visit to the trio of Dali museums in Figueres, Port Lligat, and Pubol is highly recommended. Girona, with its medieval charm, and trendy Barcelona, known for its Gaudi architecture and bustling Rambla, are also within reach. The scenic drive along the northern Costa Brava is surprisingly pleasant, with diverse Mediterranean resorts like Collioure (known for its art), Port Vendre (a fishing village), St Cyprien (offering golfing opportunities), Argeles-sur-Mer (ideal for windsurfing), and Canet Plage (a sixties development) all worth a visit. History enthusiasts will appreciate the ancient cities of Perpignan, Carcassone, Narbonne, Beziers, and Montpellier, all easily accessible by car. Andorra is even possible to visit for a day trip.

This region is steeped in history, from prehistoric times to the Spanish Civil War and the Second World War. The area's rich past includes the founding of Phoenician and Greek colonies, Hannibal's crossing of the Pyrenees, and the Roman road from Rome to Cadiz. Visigoths, Moors, Catalan and Spanish Kings all left their mark here. Romanesque churches with medieval frescoes showcase the evolution of church architecture. The Cathars, a heretical group, put up a lengthy resistance before being defeated and burned in their Pyrenean strongholds, which can still be visited today. The Templars also had a presence in the region, and the alleged treasure at Rennes-le-Château remains a mystery. The area's history culminated in the conquest by Louis XIV in 1659, with Vauban, his brilliant engineer architect, completing the fortifications along the new borders, many of which are open to the public.

Food and drink enthusiasts will find a variety of options in the area. Large supermarkets, small shops, farms, and markets offer excellent bread, cheeses, fruit, vegetables, and organic produce. Ceret and its surrounding area boast a wide range of restaurants, from cozy family-run establishments to high-end Michelin-starred venues, serving Catalonian, French, and Spanish cuisine. The region is known for its abundant Roussillon wines, and a glass of Rivesaltes, Banyuls, or Muscat makes for a delightful aperitif. Alternatively, you can enjoy Spanish Cava or the sparkling Blanquette and Cremant de Limoux. Just a short distance across the border in Spain, you'll find an array of wines to taste at reasonable prices.