Prades is located in the Têt Valley, set away from the road between Perpignan and Andorra. It's a small town with a village feel and has a magnificent church in the centre of the town. It is 50 minutes from the Mediterranean beaches, 40 minutes drive from Perpignan and 50 minutes drive from a choice of 9 ski resorts.
The climate here is temperate. Summer temperatures will be hot, with mountain villages being a little cooler. In winter it is normal to be able to sit outside cafes - often in a T shirt
All amenities are within a 3 minute walk from the house - restaurants, bars, cafes, post office, banks, fishmongers, charcuteries, bakeries and a small supermarket. There is a large supermarket on the outskirts of Prades, approximately 1km away as well as a thriving weekly market on a Tuesday which fills the whole of the centre and sells fresh vegetables, cheese, meats, clothes, flowers and "nick-nacks".
Peaches, cherries and vines are the staple crops here as well as lettuces! The scenery is dramatic, with hills as far as the eye can see, yet with a feeling of space. Mount Canigou provides a spectacular backdrop to the villages along the Têt valley, and is particularly beautiful between October and May when snow is clearly visible on its peak.
Things to do
- Hire a bike or motorbike for a day to explore the local area - perhaps an excursion along the banks of the River Têt (hire in the square at Prades)
- Go hiking or walking in the hills or mountains – 1:25000 walking maps provided at the house.
- Summer or winter visit one of the 9 ski resorts (50 mins).The telecabine transports you from 1600m to 2000m in less than 10 minutes
- Swimming - there is a local pool in Prades, or the Med within an hour. At Vinca (15 mins), there is a swimming lake with a beach and refreshments with a lifeguard on duty in peak season
- Visit Spain - The beautiful cites of Gerona 1h 30 mins and Barcelona 2 hrs 15mins are worth a visit
- Museums - Visit Salvador Dali's museum - 1 hour 20 minutes away, or the fireman's museum at Ille-sur-Têt (15 mins)
- Golf - discover the courses at Le Domaine de Falgos (18 holes, 5,177m), St Cyprien (18 holes, par 73 - 6,480m, or 9 holes, par 35 - 2,724 m), or Font Romeu (9 holes, par 34 - 2,348m)
- Activities - Canoeing / white water rafting and an adventure park (assault course aeriel runways etc) at Marquixanes - (10 mins)
Thermal spa baths at St Thomas Les Bains (30 mins) or Llo - 60 mins- Shopping - Spend a day shopping in Perpignan (45 mins), by car or by train or drive to Andorra (2 hours 15 mins) for tax-free shopping, or browse the antiques markets
- Take a trip in a landrover to the top of Mount Canigou (1/2 day)
- Visit Collioure - a picturesque small fishing village with harbour on the Cote Vermeille
- From mid July to mid August there is the festival Pablo Casals - a classical music festival with concerts held in local churches
- Wine Tasting - Visit local vineyards for a "degustation"
- Ski-ing – Pick from one of the 9 resorts 50 minutes' drive away
- Visit Villefranche-le Conflent – medieval walled town of interest and buy a ticket for the Little Yellow Train which takes you on a spectacular ride into the mountains on a narrow-gauge railway
- Animal Parks at Casteil (20 mins) and Les Angles (50 mins)
- Visit caves at Villefranche (10mins) or Fontrabiouse (60 mins)
- Cultural Sightseeing – Choose from many churches and priories – Saint Michel de Cuixa, Serrabonne, Saint Martin-de Canigou, Marcevol, or take a tour of the Cathar Castles of Queribus and Peyrepertuse, or the Orgues des Illes - rock formations in the shape of organ pipesRelax - Sit on the terrace and read a book whilst admiring Mount Canigou, or find a beach, sit on it and don't move for a few hours