Blog

Christmas in Collioure - Son et Lumiere 2016

Noël à Collioure - Christmas at Collioure - This is a very unique son et lumiere event at Collioure. This unusual Christmas spectacular is taking place this year for the third time. Spectacular animated projections on the bell tower of the church at Collioure harbour which can be viewed from the beach or viewpoints across the bay. Something really worth coming to see.... and its free.  This year s...[More]

La Fête de la Cerise (Cherry Festival) in Céret

In the part of the Vallespir around the pretty town of Céret in the South of France the climate and soil is particularly favourable for growing cherry trees and the town is surrounded  by cherry orchards. For more than 150 years the cherry has been a local favorite and provides gourmands – including the President of France – with the joy of tasting the first French cherries each year from mid-Apri...[More]

Chateau and Park of Valmy

The park and gardens at the Chateau of Valmy near to Argeles have re-opened after major works. We visited on Saturday 6th February in the morning. (Actually we also went on the Friday afternoon, but the re-opening wasn’t until Saturday). The grounds are very pleasant, with fountains and ponds, lawns and borders with labels telling you what the plants are, a small children’s play area and lawned ar...[More]

Fetes de l'Ours or the Bear Festivals

The Bear Festivals, (yes bear not beer!), or Fetes de l’ours are a tradition very specific to the region and take place annually in three local villages in the Vallespir: Arles sur Tech, Prats de Mollo and St Laurent de Cerdans. February 7th 2016 was the date for the event in Arles sur Tech and we went to see it on a beautifully warm and sunny afternoon. It was quite a surreal experience. If you g...[More]