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LAROQUE ATTRACTIONS

LOCAL ATTRACTIONS

There is a collection of guide books, maps and pamphlets at the house but here are some suggestions:

EASY WALKS

1. Turn left out the house and follow the well marked track for approximately 10mins to the small reservoir. Look in and see the gold fish!
2. Turn right at the reservoir and follow the small water course for approx 10mins until there is a well marked track up and off to the left. Stop here! You have 2 choices:
3. Walk straight ahead for a few minutes to bring you to a small rock pool - which is deliciously cool in the summer.
4. Turn RIGHT and downwards along a slightly less well defined path to cross the river, then follow the path to the right and up to a narrow lane. Turn right into this lane and in 10 mins you will arrive back in Laroque.
5. Turn LEFT and upwards - an interesting, quite steep in places but easy, through abandoned vineyards and cork plantations for approx 15 mins and you will come out to a stony steep track. Turn LEFT and downhill down a windy track which eventually takes you to Sorrede, where you turn LEFT and follow the road back into Laroque (total about 1.5hrs).
6. An alternative, at 4. Turn instead LEFT into the narrow lane, at the end of which, near a garden gate, the track turns RIGHT and ascends steeply. There are marvellous views over the plain to Perpignan, the Mediterranean and you can even see the airport on a clear day. Follow the track for about 20mins, towards The Domain (hill-side villas), which you can clearly see. Pass a small water fountain and 200 metres further on to the RIGHT is a track (nominally gated) which descends steeply into the Domain. Once you hit the tarmac road, follow your nose downwards and then along a pleasant country road to return to the outskirts of Laroque.

NOTE: Laroque is a popular base for walking in the Pyrenees. The tourist office in the main square has all the maps and details. We haven't done it yet, but it is possible to walk to the Spanish border at Le Pic de Nueglos (which is the tower you can see from our front door) to join GR10 which is the long distance walk from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean.

Within 20 Minutes Drive

• Perpignan: A delightful city – best explored on foot. We drive to Rue de Marechal Foch and pay to park.
• Plan-d’eau: There are 2 local lakes which are commercially operated swimming areas with facilities – including a small restaurant and boat hire. The closer is at St-Jean Pla-de-Corts, just on the other side of the Autoroute-de-Sud off the road to Ceret – about 15mins drive. The other is on the southern outskirts of Perpignan at Villeneuve de-la-Raho.
• The beaches: The coast of the plain of Perpignan offers many kilometers of sandy beaches. The closest, quietest and our favourite is off the coastal road to Collioure at Le Racou. This has a patrolled beach. The beaches at Collioure are smaller beaches and are good and safe – you can sit in a café or restaurant and watch your children in comfort – but parking in Collioure, especially at weekends and public holidays, can be difficult.
• Golf at St Cyprien.
• There are vineyards with road-side sales; take the coastal route into Collioure and then onwards to Banyuls-sur-Mer to catch an exciting equivalent to the Great Ocean Drive (unfortunately there’s no equivalent to Lorne!).
• There are Napoleonic fortifications around Collioure, the best is a steep walk up from behind the Art Gallery – which is just south of Collioure central. Great views back over Collioure.
• Ceret: Very large Saturday morning market – parking is easy. There is a good variety of stalls with the usual commercial ones plus lots of local fresh produce – fruit and veg, bread and of course cherries in season. Afterwards, enjoy a casis or coffee in one of the many restaurants and cafes.
• Aqualand: A large water activity theme park – close to St-Cyprien Plage.
• Elne: A pleasant historic town with an 11th century cathedral. Apricot and peach orchards line the D4 and D162 East and West of the town.
• We still think that Laroque beats the lot! And you don’t even have to get the car out as it’s all on your doorstep – literally.

The Mediterranean coast

There are the holiday beaches at Argeles and St Cyprien which have all the facilities for a beach holiday and are popular in the summer months. There are also the coastal villages of Collioure, Port Vendres and Banyuls sur Mer which are where the mountains meet the sea-very scenic and interesting to explore especially Collioure with its links to many artists including Matisse , Picasso and the Fauves movement.

Further afield

Historical and areas of natural beauty

• Castles / bastiles at Carcassonne and Peyrepertuse.
• Spectacular gorges De La Fou just beyond Amelie.

The Pyrenees

We are at the eastern end of the Pyrenees. There are many possible excursions depending on your interests. The ski fields around Andorra are about 1.5 hours drive but there are a lot of closer attractions, eg The Little Yellow Train at Villefranche.

Spain

The Autoroute de Sud is accessible 10 km away at Le Boulou. There are many attractions over the border:

• Barcelona (2 hours drive):
  • Gaudi architecture
  • Picasso museum
  • Miro museum
• Girona (1 hour drive):
  • Beautiful old city center
  • Ramparts
• Figueres (50 mins drive):
  • Birthplace of Dali with a marvellous museum featuring his work
• Costa Brava (1 to 2 hours drive):
  • Some beautiful scenery, little harbours and beaches.

Alternatively you can drive along the coast which is slower but prettier. We have also caught the train from Argeles (9km away) and Figures to Barcelona.