Explore Laroque des Alberes
Pyrenees Orientales, OccitanieLaroque des Alberes holiday rentals offer superb views of Canigou, the Albera Massif and the Mediterranean coastline.
Where do you start in this amazing little corner of South West France? Probably with a little bit of recent history.
So here we go – in 2016, the regions of Languedoc Roussillion and the Mid-Pyrénées were merged, and renamed Occitanie.
Not everyone in the region were that impressed with the changes and even though Occitanie is now the official name, many of the locals still refer to their department of the Pyrenees Orientales as being in Languedoc Roussillon. Old habits die hard and the Catalan people can be some of the hardest to convince that changes are necessary. Especially if they appear to erode their traditions and culture.
Not that this should put you off, this region of France is so beautiful everyone has become very accustomed to the fact that it attracts lots of visitors from all over the world and if you visit you will hear lots of different languages being spoken. This of course brings with it lots of opportunity for local businesses, jobs for the community and a much appreciated boost to the local economy. So be assured you will be very welcome if you do decide to come visit.
Discover Unlimited Beauty
So what of the immediate vicinity surrounding the apartment? Well we are located directly below the Albera Massif and the highest peak is the Puig Neulós, with an elevation of 1,256 metres , which makes for some spectacular views and a fantastic venue for both walking and cycling holidays. Especially during spring or autumn when the temperatures are a little more forgiving.
Some days you can experience slightly snow capped peaks (in truth it’s probably hard frost). Other days clouds can curl themselves around the mountains like a cosy cotton wool wrap and other days they might just be illuminated by the sun with bright blue skies.
One thing for sure is that you will never be bored by that view, because it is constantly changing and each day seems to bring something new and interesting. Thank heavens for digital cameras, that’s all I can say!
Top Destinations
Our little village of Laroque des Alberes punches well above its weight in terms of the number of good quality restaurants, bars and shops it has. Not to mention its own Wednesday morning market. All within a ten minute walk from the apartment.
You can check out this Guide to Laroque des Alberes for an idea of all the amenities available to visitors.
The heart of the village is right where the town hall (Mairie) building is located. Essentially that is the centre of commerce for the village and is where you will find the majority of the village’s amenities. There are bars, resturants, post office, a pharmacy, boulangerie, charcuterie, epicerie, pizzeria and the list goes on.
But that doesn’t mean this is the only part of the village worth visiting, a short walk up the hill close to the church and you will find paths up to the tower, another lovely restaurant and a creperie. Not to mention the typical narrow streets and alleys that form the ‘centre historique’ of the original village.
Keep going up and you will find fabulous walks in the mountains with views across to Canigou or the Mediterranean coastline. Head down the hill from the centre and you will find open countryside full of vineyards.
Close to the centre, there is a little square, this is where the Wednesday morning market takes place and where you will find the food shops such as the epicerie, charcuterie and the boulangerie.
Just beyond the square you can find an open air auditorium, basketball court and tennis courts. Walk across the footbridge over the river and there is a modern children’s play park with a safe play surface for those occasional tumbles.
The auditorium is a hive of activity in the summer months with many evenings of outdoor entertainment for all ages, including teenagers who like a little disco (not sure that is still a word) music once in a while.
So basically there is a lot happening in Laroque des Alberes, which is why it is such a popular tourist destination.
Boulangerie
Perfect for fresh morning bread, croissants or pain au chocolat. But also plenty of patisseries for the afternoon.
Epicerie
A general grocer for all those emergency supplies or even just for convenience.
Market
Laroque des Alberes has its own little market on a Wednesday morning throughout the year.
Some Recommended Restaurants in Laroque
Cafe des Artistes
One of our favourite bars come restaurants. Probably because we love to watch the big sports matches while sipping a nice cool Guinness.
That aside the food is really very good and the ambiance beyond question in this perfect mix of Mediterranean and Irish culture.
Les Enfants Terribles
Another lovely restaurant which is strictly food and drink with a French/Canadian influence. Located right on the side of the main road through the centre it is very easy to find and has a lovely little terrace outside for the warm season and a cosy interior for winter. Good value, great food.
Cote Saisons
A Michelin rated restaurant that offers fabulous food but not at an outrageous price. Perhaps a little more expensive than some of the other restuarants but I doubt, if you choose to eat here, you will be disappointed. We definitely weren’t and it is highly recommended, but book early it is often full.
Crêperie st Félix
We finally made it to the Crêperie st Félix at the top of the village just past the church. And I have to say it was well worth the visit. They specialise in gallets and crepes, the first being savory and the second being sweet i.e. made with salt or sugar. But there were also lots of other things to choose from and good value for those with a few kids to feed and possibly on a budget.
Le Refuge du Clocher
This is the newest addition to the village and is located near the church opposite the Catalan. It is reasonably priced with some lovely food and wine. The owners are a French/English couple and the cuisine is predominantly French.
Le Catalan
A little further from the town centre at the foot of the church. A short climb, but it is worth the effort. Rated at 4.5 stars on Trip Adviser with a lot of reviews, it is very popular for the local French cuisine and choice of good local wines. If you want a truly local French experience this is a good place to go.
There are other eating places such as the Comptoir Rocatin for tapas next to the Post Office in Laroque and the Pizzeria near the pharmacie that also has a seating area. Opposite the Cafe Des Artistes, there is a new fast food burger bar with some seating available. So great for a quick bite where you can eat in or just have a drink if you want to. There is also an Asian takeaway on the commercial site near Carrefour.
Collioure Our Local Jewel in the Crown
Everytime we visit Collioure it never fails to remind us just how beautiful it is. No surprise then that parking during the summer months can be a bit of a challenge. But once you have parked you know it was worth the effort.
A Closer Look at Collioure
As a tourist, you can stroll down to the sea front and find a little cafe or restaurant, some of them are almost sitting on the little pebble beach. Then just take a seat for the most wonderful lunch of fresh fish or seafood accompanied by a glass or two of the local vino, Collioure AOC being one of the smallest vignards in France . In a place like Collioure it would almost be rude not to.
After lunch you can go to the beach to just sit and watch the world go by. Boats going in and out of the port will tempt you into taking a boat trip out along the coastline and that is a very nice way to while away a couple more hours.
The option of exploring the medieval streets is also available and another very tempting alternative. You will find plenty of evidence of the artistic heritage of Collioure, there is an artist’s studio or shop on practically every corner and lots of bright colour in the architecture of the buildings, definitely a feature of the Mediterranean influence.
The Capital, Perpignan
Perpignan
A Stunning City with an Even More Stunning Backdrop
Perpignan has elements of the cosmopolitan feel and cafe culture of Montpellier but on a smaller and more familiar scale. It really is rather gorgeous.
Perpignan is about 30 minutes from our gite in Laroque des Alberes and is the capital of the Pyrenees-Orientales. It’s where we have to go for our administrative support, health services and so on. It has to be admitted there are far worse places you might have to use for these rather mundane tasks. But as you drive towards Perpignan enjoying the views of the Pyrenees, especially snow-capped Canigou (shown above), then suddenly the mundane tasks turn into a bit of a pleasure and a nice day out.
Then when you hit the city, park up and head towards the Hotel d’Ortaffa (the town hall) below are some of the sites you will see. In fact the temptation is to take a seat at one of the cafes that sit alongside the River Tet and just take it all in. Hit it at lunchtime and you can easily find yourself asking for the menu and perhaps a cheeky little beer or glass of the local wine. It’s that easy and of course you can’t really get a lot done between 12.00h and 14.00h anyway. Well that’s our excuse anyway.
Driving in the Pyrenees
The mountain road between Les Angles and Villefranche de Conflent via Olette is a fantastic route for those that love a windy (of the bendy variety) road that will challenge your driving skills and present fabulous scenery in the process. Take a look at this short clip to see what it offers.
This is real Yellow Train (Train Jaune) territory and for those that prefer someone else to drive you can catch the Yellow Train from Villefranche de Conflent and head deep into the mountains.
Your Guides To The South of France
Below you can find links to information on lots of places close by and also further afield. Generally the top of the list will be quite close and the lower the place is in the list, the further away it is. Hope that helps you decide where to look.
What are you waiting for?
