Property Details

Sanglier lodge"

is located in the tiny village of Le Tech in the French Pyrenees on the border with Spain. It is a big eighteenth century house which has been tastefully restored to retain it's rustic charm and is situated at the foot of Mount Canigou, with the Tech river bubbling 50 meters from the door. The Mediterranean coast is just 40 minutes away and the valley has it's own microclimate, averaging 300 days of sunshine a year!

The area is almost free of crime and has a small but friendly population, like Provence was thirty years ago. The lodge is named after the wild boar which abound in the area, and which we often encounter on our rides and walks. Being right on the border we can enjoy the cultures of both France and Spain. There are no irksome border posts in the mountain passes; you'll only realise you're in one country or the other when the language changes.

The lodge sleeps 12 comfortably, having 6 double bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, 6 loos, 3 terraced gardens, a child safe swimming pool, measuring 5 x 9 metres, darts, badminton, a nearby tennis court, a 60 square metre sitting room and another recreation room. The plumbing and electrics are of a high standard. The kitchen is large and there are laundry facilities.

Local Area Details

Activities

Dear Guest,

Welcome! There is an inexhaustible supply of interesting things to see and do here. In order to make your stay more enjoyable - and in the hopes that you will come again- We enclose an A-Z based on our own researches and experiences. The tourist offices also have lots of brochures and there are endless seasonal fetes and other festivities. Have a wonderful time!

This area is becoming ‘The new provence’, warm sea, mountains, almost no crime, low population and an average of 300 days of sunshine per year! Le Tech has its own microclimate which residents say is better than the coast because we have the sunshine without that obsessive wind!

Location co ordinates are given on the Universal Transverse Mercator grid, WGS 84 map datum [The top 25 range of maps 4 cm to 1km or 1/25000] Read the Northings on the side of the map and the Eastings on the top or bottom. Almost everything mentioned is on one of four maps; Massif du canigou, 2349ET, Ceret 2449OT, Banyuls 2549OT, and Perpignan 2548OT.

A-D
Abbey de St Andre; very fine church 10th - 11th century; just north of Sorede, on road to Collioure. Map 2549OT 4711150n 497500e
Abbey St Genis des fontaines 11th cent ; Famous lintel over the church doorway dates back to 1020, making it the oldest Roman stone sculpture known. Wonderful looking cloisters dating from the Romanesque period [13th cent] Also on road to Collioure , Map 2549OT before you get to St Andre 4710200n 493600e

Arles-sur-tech; Abbaye de St marie is the oldest benedictine abbey, founded in 778 AD. The abbey is especially know for the inexplicable replenishment of fresh water from a stone tomb outside the abbey. Wonderful medieval festival 1st week in September and lots of other festivals. Knife making factory in Rue des Usines ph 04 68 39 87 24 or portable 06 14 35 58 84
Abbaye de St Martin de Canigou 11th century monastry perched high up in mountains south of Vernet les Bains, Map 2349ET UTM 4708620N 450725E Big walk up! The extraordinary location makes this well worth a visit. The crypt is the oldest part of the abbey, which was consecrated in 1009. It was severely damaged by an earthquake in 1428 but largely restored. Abandoned by the monks in 1783, it fell in ruins. Restoration work began in 1902, and continues to this day.
Abbaye de St Michel de Cuixa ,located just south of Prades, Map 2349ET UTM 4715950N 452250E, considered to be the most significant of the ancient religious monuments in the South of France. The current church was consecrated in 974 and became the most important spiritual and cultural centre of the region. It was expanded around 1030, when the crypt, the atrium with the Chapel of the trinity, the bell towers and various frescoes were added. The cloisters were added about 100 years later. During the French revolution of 1789, the abbey was pillaged and partially destroyed. It was restored to its former glory after the first world war. Today a small community of Benedictine monks live there.
Aqualand; St Cyprien ; giant water park , chutes, wave pool, paddle pool, waterslides, etc, great for kids. Open 9 June to 12 Sept. ph 0468214949

Beaches ; Argeles Nord is probably the best as less crowded than others. Lots of nice beaches in Spain. Try Callella de Palafrugel.

Bird reserve. [St Nazire; on the coast, between Canet and St Cyprien. One of the most important Africa- Europe bird migration areas in Europe, it covers approx 900 ha, in which more than 230 species have been recorded. Of particular note are the flamingoes of which almost 2000 may be seen towards the end of summer. A few overwinter. Unfortunately Canet is generally a somewhat ugly place. Try to ignore that! In the mountains, note especially the relict population of bearded vultures. Look for them soaring around the high cols, especially on the less populated Spanish side of the Pyrenees. In the Prats de Mollo nature reserve behind the lodge, we might see Ptarmigans, golden eagles, and capercaillies.

Boules. Boules pitch at Prats de Mollo; also on top lawn of lodge!
Cadaques. Interesting port in Spain to the east of Figueras, home of artist Salvador Dali. The whole of the Cap de Creus peninsula is of interest
Castelnou; just to the west of Thuir; Said to be one of the ‘les plus belles villages de France’. Restaurant Le Vicompte, also wine tasting. Phone chateau 0468532291 to book. A visit could fit in with wine tasting in the region. A 10th century medieval castle overlooks the village. There are a couple of less expensive restaurants in the village.
. Caves limestone near Villefranche de confluent, very extensive and beautiful limestone formations in huge caves. Well worth a visit
Ceret; museum of modern art. Houses permanent collection of works by artists who lived at some time in Ceret; Brune, Chagall, Dali, Dufy, Gris, Herbin, Manolo, Maillol, Matisse, Miro, Picasso, who comes from here. Ph 0468872776 also archelogical museum, and lots of fetes etc.

Collioure; Tres belle port, favourite place of Matisse and Derain. Chateau Royale de Collioure; Royal residence during the 13th and 14th centuries. Became a military fortress in the 15thCent. The kings of Aragon, Spain,and France turned it later into a citadel during the 16 th and 17th centuries. Spanish republicans jailed here during the 20th cent. Now just a historical monument
Cycling; Probably the best in the world, both velo toutes terrain and racing. A large proportion of the professional peloton train down here and ‘le grand boucle’ usually has a stage which passes nearby. Big climbs, hair raising descents; not for the inexperienced! Lance Armstrong and the other US postal riders live in nearby Gerona and often train around here.
Dali, Salvador; visit Dali museum in Figueras; terrific; also in Cadaques.
Diving, scuba; There is a marine park at Banyuls-Cerebere covering 650 ha of sea. Quite a number of fish species may be seen - no coral of course- and the visability is usually good. Masks, fins, wet suits, booties, weights, tanks, BCs, regulators and octos may all be rented nearby. Bring your BSAC or Paddy log. If not a diver, you may of course snorkel. There is a diving school at Port Argeles, ph 0468816384, also Collioure ph 0468820716. Diving also in Cadaques and further south in Spain.


E-H

Fois gras; Ferme de la Tour, in Fillols, Map 2349ET UTM 4712200n 451455e contact Mr Daniel Lemaire, ph0468056363 . [Speak English, ; also produce confits, terrine etc. ] . Also auberge Graffouil just out of Prats direction of La Preste
Fort Liberia; just above Villefranche de confluent; dominates the hill; overlooking Villefranche.
Fort de Bellegarde, Le Perthus, south of Ceret on Spanish border. Massive fort; well worth visiting, constructed in the 17th cent.
Fly fishing; In the Tech river with licence obtainable from post office.

Girona
The ancient, walled city of Girona stands on a hill high above the Onyar river. It has been fought over in almost every century for the past millenia. By the nineteenth century it had been besieged on 21 occasions. All this attention has resulted in a mixture of architectural styles, yet for the visitor the overall impression is of a beautiful medieval city in a lovely setting, which for the most party has been zealously preserved

Golf; international standard 18 hole golf course at Falgos, Map Ceret 2449OT UTM 4690550n 465550e with hotel and restaurant in spectacular surroundings. Another golf course near Figeras in Spain; another at Camprodon, via the Col d’Ares, and another near St Cyprien, all within easy striking distance.
Gorges de la fou; On the way down to Arles sur Tech. Narrowest gorge in the world; Total length of canyon 1739m ; length of walk up 1500m ; height difference from entrance to end 157m approx 9% average. The width is less than 1 metre in some places.; cleft in limestone up to 250 m deep. Ph 0468391621
; Hermitage de Notre dame de Coral An outstanding 10th century hermitage, renovated a number of times since then, located on an exceptional site near Prats de Mollo. We will almost certainly take a ride or a walk there.

Horse riding; equestrian centre between Serralongue and St Laurent de Gerdans. Also in Montferrer, just up the hill, contact Jean Michel Cristi 0468878312 ; cell 0611392240, nice chap, knows mountains well, does half day and full day hacks.
Hot spring at La Preste, 15 mins water at 40deg C all year round. Phone 04 68 97 03 13



I-L
Ille-sur-Tet; spectacular geological formation. NE of Prades.

Lamanere ; A few km from Le Tech, past Serralongue. The most Southern village in France
Le Tech, church, just above the lodge. This was re built after a massive flood in the 1940s. The frescoes in the church are well worth seeing.
If you follow the Coumelade river [ a tributary of the Tech flowing just to the left of the lodge, you can reach the fine Hermitage de St Guillem. Le Tech itself is a charming little village with a total permanent population of about 30 people. Counting the owners of holiday homes, the population is around 80.

M-P

Museums. Aquarium, Canet plage, [it’s failure lies in its attempt to cover oceans of the world, rather than the marine biology of this area] The oldest aquarium in the Mediterraneum may also be found in Banyuls; can someone tell us what it’s like? Toy museum Canet, Car and boat museums, Canet, Aviation museum ,Perpignan, Marechal Joffre war Museum, Rivesaltes, and modern art see Ceret. Postal museum in Palalda [near Amelie-les-Bains] Iron working museum Arles-sur-tech, ‘highwaymans’ museum, Montferrer, museum of art and popular traditions, St Laurent de Gerdans,
Picnics; endless choice,[ see red visitor’s comments book] folks have particularly recommended Map 2349ET UTM 4698750N 452600E and UTM 4702750N 463250E as two suitable places.
Prats de Mollo; The nearest town to the lodge, Prats de Mollo is a fortified medieval city, much of it dating from the tenth century with its surrounding walls intact and fine gothic church. The original church was re built and extended in 1245 and renovated and extended again in 1649. We will certainly visit this charming old city. Above it stands the imposing Fort Lagarde, built in the middle of the seventeenth century to govern the unruly inhabitants of the town. There is a wonderful equestrian display at the fort during the summer. A must see. Prats de Mollo nature reserve 14 500 ha; terrific for walking, VTT and ski du fond.

Palalda; Medieval village across the river from Amelie-les-Bains. 13th cent church, museum.
Priory Santa Maria Del vilar; Near Villallonga dels Monts, Map 2549OT UTM- 4706395N 492175E. Built in 1083, but deserted in 1535. Fine examples of Catalan roman art. While in the village go and see the church, of which the 13th cent door is adorned with Catalan strap hinges.



Q-T

Swimming; Great rock pools in Lamanere river. Follow the signs to Serralongue until you get to and old woodyard just after crossing the Lamanere river. Follow the path upstream and you will find some fine swimming pools. Of course there is also a pool at Sanglier lodge!
.
Restaurants
Lunch at Col d’Ares auberge. La Costa de Dalt. Map 2349ET UTM 4691500N 456600E Phone 04 68 39 74 40 , Michele et Gilbert Lanau. Highly recommended. Need to reserve.
Lunch at Mas Graffouil, Map 2349ET UTM 4695600N 452825E Josiane et Henri Cases; Prats de Mollo on road to La Preste. Ph 04 68 39 72 25 specialise Fois gras, confits; charcuterie, need to reserve. Good meal in pleasant surroundings; fresh food all grown or made on the farm.
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Hotel Bellville in Prats de Mollo. Said to be good food; Hotel des tourists said to have terrible food!
Hotel restaurant Cura ol , 10 Boulevard Illileris, 66200 Elne, proprietor called John, from Cape town ph 04 68 22 10 42
Tapis; fun restaurant in Spain reached via St Laurent de Gerdans - Coustouges. Food nothing special but lively atmosphere and stays open until late. Supermarket beneath it; all booze cheaper in Spain, and fuel. Great Restaurant, 'Can po' in Rocabruna, near Beget, just into Spain over the Col d'Ares.
Lots more further afield.
Serrabone ; priory 11 th century, famous cloisters. Set 600 m up, UTM on Ceret map 4716625N 466750E well worth seeing; cloisters are a pink marble forest, 630 engraved motifs on the galleries portico . Eagles at rest, spreading wings, half lion/half eagle; half eagle griffins , etc
Sorede, en route to Collioure or Port Vendres. Especially known for whip making; unique tradition. Valley of tortoises here.
Tennis; floodlit all weather court 200 metres from house in Le Tech. Get key and pay sub at post office [ which is also the Mairie]
Table tennis; two tables at Le Tech
Train jaune; Dating from early 20th cent, built to provide access to high plateau of Catalonia. Blood red and gold colours to symbolise autumn colours of regions through which it passes. First section between Villefranche Confluent [427m] and Mont Louis came into service in 1910; climbed as high as Bolquere [1593m] finally reached latour de Carol [1231m] in 1927 thus providing a trans Pyrenean rail service. 650 major engineering works needed along the 40 miles, including 19 tunnels. Highest railway in France, with a one metre gauge. 21 stops from Villefranche\ to Latour; trip takes 6 hours. Check out timetable with Prats de Mollo tourist office, which is excellent by the way.





U-Z
Villefranche de confluent; intact 11th Century city a few km to the south west of Prades
The design and layout of Villefranche de confluent is markedly different from other villages in the region, largely because it was built specifically as a military garrison in 1090, and the successive changes until the 14th century follow the same pattern. It was originally founded by the Count of Cerdagne, but in 1117 it fell under the authority of the Counts of Barcelona. ItÆs economic and strategic importance declined somewhat over the next couple of hundred years. In 1493 it became allied to France, under Louis 11th, but was occupied by the Spanish in 1493. 1613 saw Villefranche embroiled in a religious war with Perpignan, and it was sacked by the French in 1654. In the Treaty of the Pyrenees, 1659,it again became absorbed into France. Most of it is still in place and it is exceptionally well preserved. The stonework is exceptionally hard and weather resistant and has an interesting colour and grain. Most of the houses within the ramparts are arranged within the enclosure along the two main streets, the ground floor being generally reserved for business activities, while the floors above were living space. Many have south facing ælogiasÆ to permit light and warmth to enter, and the larger houses often have a central patio.


The train station and the Yellow train were established in 1904
Walking; Sans pareil!. Lots of of well marked trails in the mountains. Use the superb top 25 maps and remember that if the temp down here is 30dec C it could be minus 5 with a wind chill factor at the top of le Canigou so kit accordingly. Refuge de Marialles 4705600n 451385e and chalet des cortalets 4709200n 456150e are fine for overnighting en route to the summit and after summitting, or if visability is bad on the peak, there is a trail around ; see map. They offer beds, hot showers and a meal. There are other 3000m peaks [Puigmal; Carlit] further afield and dozens of lower altitude walks [ better for naturalists] in the vicinity, generally marked in solid red on the 1/ 25000 maps. The less well blazed trails are marked with black dashes on the maps; don’t confuse with the black dotted lines denoting commune boundaries. Have a feast! We recommend that you take a map, compass, GPS receiver if you have one, water, sunscreen lotion, energy food, telephone and gear for sudden weather changes.
Wines ; This, together with Provence, is the oldest wine growing region in France, dating back around 2500 years. There are 13 wines classified Appellation d’origine controlee in the region. The Rousillon AOCs account for 24 500 hectares, yeilding an average of 757000 hectolitres.
Cotes de Rousillon is mostly red, with a few roses and whites. Cotes de Rousillon villages is exclusively red. Amongst the 32 villages which are allowed to produce under this label, four are the birthplace of specific wines, giving them the right to add their name to that of the appellation; Caramany, Latour de France, Lesquerde and Tautavel. Collioure produces red and rose. The production zone is limited to four villages; Collioure, Port Vendres, Banyuls and Cerbere. There are also some sweet desert and aperatif wines from Banyuls, Maury, Rivesalts and Muscat de Rivesalts.Try them!

Caves Byrrh , Thuir; largest wine barrel in the world [more than 1 mill litres. Contact Mme Laurence Caillaut ph 04 68 53 05 42 . Tours at different times. Phone first Film show and lecture in English if prefered. Also in Thuir; Chateau des 3 colombes. M Michel Cases contact Mme Anne Marie Cases ph 04 68 53 00 13 .
Chateau l’Esparrou ; not far from Canet - St Cyprien beach. Head towards Canet plage and you’ll see it on the right. Ph 0468733093; As far back as 1816, the Domaine de l’Esparrou was mentioned in the ‘Traveller’s guide to France for its famous wines. It’s 82 ha vineyard completely covers the hillside that overlooks the bird reserve near Canet.
Cellier des Templiers, Banyuls. Mr Daniel Ferrer ph 04 68 98 36 92 Lecture in English and film as well as tasting. Also in Banyuls, Domaine Berta Maillol . Mdm ou Jean Louis Berta Maillol, ph 04 68 880054. Also Banyuls, Domaine St Jean Contact Mms Patricia ou Magali Heren ph 0468881621
Lots of others! Rivesaltes, [ near the airport] although a rather unattractive place, is a major wine centre with lots of tasting cellars.
Domaine pages Hure
04 68 89 82 62
2 Allee des moines, 66740 Saint Genis de Fontaine

I hope these pointers are of some use, and please add to the list for the benefit of others, especially with regard to things to see and do in Spain.


Bonnes vacences!

JAN and FIONA TEEDE

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Property Features

* Has a Pool
* Close to a golf course
* Pets are allowed

Contact Information

Name:	Jan Teede
Telephone:	+ 33 468396251
Alt Telephone:	Nil
Fax:	+ 33 468396251
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