This location provides a wide choice of activities being 30 minutes from the very best beaches on the coast, the beautiful port of Collioure and a similar distance from Mount Canigou (altitude 2,800 m) as well as the fascinating mountain towns, villages and ski resorts of the Tet valley.

The nearby town of Thuir is a great place to start the search for your favourite wine of the region. Thuir is the home of the largest oak wine cask in the world (Byrhh) holding over a million litres and there is a market in the old town every Saturday morning. Thuir also has a wide range of places to eat and drink from pavement cafes and bars to pizzeria and more traditional restaurants. It also boasts boulangeries, charcuterie and supermarkets. Posted below is a description of Thuir from a French property article.

Perpignan, the cosmopolitan capital of Catalonia, with its mix of modern bustling city and charming old town and markets, is only 20 minutes away together with its historical Palace of the Kings of Mallorca. From Perpignan station (the centre of the universe) the train to Barcelona takes a couple of hours although when the new TGV route is up and running (late 2008?) it will be around an hour.

The coast from Perpignan southwards, hosts the popular resorts of Canet, St Cyprien and Argeles with their wide sandy beaches, nightlife, bars and restaurants. Where the sandy beaches sweep down to meet the rocky coves of the Vermillion Coast you will find the beautiful fishing village of Collioure, set beneath a Templar castle that is said to have inspired Fauvism. A few minutes more around the coast and the working port of Port Vendres has a wonderful Saturday market and the opportunity to buy fish and seafood direct from the quayside trawlers.

A trip inland up the valley will take you past the magnificent Mount Canigou and to the gateway to the Pyrenees at Villefrance de Conflent, a beautiful fortified town with ramparts little changed from when it was rebuild by Vauban in the 17th Century. A winding ride up the mountain will take you to the ski resorts at Les Angles and Font Romeau, or to the mountain lake of Boullelaise.

The local agriculture is dominated by peach, almond and vine and fruit sellers abound along the popular routes in summer, whilst in spring the blossom is a delightful sight. Numerous caves offer visitors the opportunity to taste the local vintages.

Thuir town description:

"Between the Mediterranean Sea and the dramatic peaks of the Pyrénean Mountains lies the attractive little town of Thuir. This is French Catalonia, a Spanish scented France, where Catalan traditions are upheld, and where the buildings, the cuisine and the music all bear witness to Catalan pride and history. The town is colourful and attractive with many interesting examples of Catalan architecture to see, and although it is not a particularly large place there is always plenty to do. The town has a number of fascinating traditional shops, and also supermarkets for your everyday requirements. There are banks and schools, and a weekly market where fresh local produce is sold. The houses in Thuir are largely old stone built properties, a tribute to the artisans of the past.


Ramparts and museums
Those interested in the history of the town will enjoy seeing the remains of old ramparts and medieval buildings, and there are two museums in the town which are definitely worth visiting. One is the Museum of ‘Nature et Chasse’ which charts the distinctive flora and fauna of the area and the other is a museum of popular traditions.


Castles, caves and climbing
All around Thuir is some of the most intriguing countryside in France. The castles of the Cathar knights sit atop the hills, hinting at their dark and violent history, and crying out to be explored. There are hills and mountains to climb, and a myriad of sporting activities such as canyoning, rafting, caving and paragliding to try. In the summer you will find that Thuir is only a short drive from the blue Mediterranean Sea, and in winter the mountains offer some wonderful skiing. You can, of course, choose to simply sit and enjoy the sight of the vineyards which surround the town and which change shape and colour with the seasons, whilst sipping the finished product!


Traditional Catalan festivities
Thuir hosts several festivals throughout the year, these can be great events for those who are looking for traditional Catalan music and dance.


How to get there
Ryanair, the low cost airline, ensures that you can reach Thuir easily and inexpensively, as it has flights into Perpignan, Carcassonne and Girona airports. Rail travel is possible with the TGV from Paris taking you to Perpignan, and the town is also accessible by road, taking the Perpignan Sud exit from the Autoroute.


Property and prices in and around Thuir
Generally considered a desirable area to buy property, Rousillon is relatively expensive when compared with, for example, Limousin or certain parts of Brittany. It is, however, still cheaper than other parts of the Med, for example, the Côtes D’Azur, and also, interestingly, tends to be cheaper than its counterpart towns in Spanish Catalonia, on the other side of the border. Property types vary, ranging from beautiful traditional Mas farmhouses to little village houses and even modern villas."




Canigou Castelnou Collioure Barrels at Thuir Thuir town St Cyprien