Prades is nestled in the Têt Valley, set away from the road between Perpignan and Font Romeu. 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 2km 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".
Parking is in a free car park at the end of the road 150 meters away. Although the road is pedestrianised, you are allowed access to unload outside the house, if required
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 June 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 - at Les Angles the ski resort's telecabine transports you to 2000m in less than 10 minutes in summer (50 mins)
- Swimming - there is a local pool in Prades, or the Med within an hour. At Vinca, there is a swimming lake with a beach and refreshments, where you can take an inflatable or just swim under the watch of the lifeguard on duty in peak season (10 mins)
- 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)
- Canoeing / white water rafting at Marquixanes - (15 mins)
- Visit the spa baths at St Thomas Les Bains - 30 minutes
drive, or Mont Louis - 45 mins - Shopping - Spend a day shopping in Perpignan, by car or by train or drive to Andorra (2 hours 15 mins) for tax-free shopping
- Take a trip in a landrover to the top of Mount Canigou (1/2 day)
- Visit Collioure - a picturesque small fishing village with harbour
- Wine Tasting - Visit local vineyards for a "degustation"
- Ski-ing - In season go ski-ing at one of the 9 resorts 50 minutes' drive away
- Visit Villefranche-le Conflent and buy a ticket for the Little Yellow Train which takes you on a spectacular ride into the mountains
- Sightseeing - Visit some of the many beautiful priories and churches in the area, or take a tour of the Cathar Castles of Queribus and Peyrepertuse, or the Orgues des Illes - rock formations in the shape of organ pipes
- Relax - Sit on the terrace and read a book whilst admiring Mount Canigou, or find a beach, sit on it and don't move until lunchtime
- Browsing - Wander round local markets and antique shops
- Photography or art - If you're a painter or photographer, there is no end of subject matter to keep you interested in all seasons