Notes from the host
The Old Farmhouse Mas de la Rivière
The old Farmhouse has been tastefully modernised to combine its' original character with modern practicalities. It still has the original catalan tiled floors and has a large kitchen equipped with gas hob, electric oven, dishwasher, american fridge/freezer, microwave etc. with a spacious dining area opening onto the terrace. There is a large living room with a 40" TV and DVD/CD/MP3 player (we have a DVD library for your use) and an open fire for winter visitors to enjoy.
On the first floor there are three large double bedrooms and a shower room. There is an additional wc and wash basin downstairs and an additional shower room in the grounds by the swimming pool.
The terrace is filled with mature trees and shrubs and has a shaded outdoor eating area.
Mas de la Rivière, an old Catalan farm, sits on the banks of the river Tet in it’s own oasis of over an acre of mature gardens and is surrounded by vineyards and artichoke fields. It is 1km from the traditional Catalan village of Villelongue de la Salanque, 5 minutes from the beach at the modern beach resort of Canet en Roussillon or St. Marie Plage and 10 minutes from the cosmopolitan city of Perpignan. Despite being in a tranquil setting it is very close to the major link roads into Spain, up to the mountains and down the coast and the glorious mediterranean sea.
At the Mas there are three houses: the owners house built where the stables used to be, the original farmhouse and the converted pumphouse. Each house has its own fenced garden with outdoor eating area, BBQ , lounge chairs etc.. and they share the rest of the grounds including the large swimming pool (12 x 6 m) with a spring board for diving into the 3m deep end. There is a shower room and laundry room for communal use in the grounds. There is a childrens play area including a 3.7m trampoline, basketball and a pingpong table to entertain children as well as teenagers and the not so young. Our latest addition is a petanque pitch, the typical southern french game of boules. The mas is a very safe place for children as it is set well away from the road and there are plenty of safe gardens for them to play in. The houses are fully equipped just like home from home. Internet access is available on site too. There are beach bars, restaurants and beach clubs with stunning views of the sea and mountains. Beach, sea and mountains..mmmmm!
Perpignan: The colourful and exotic city of Perpignan is right on the doorstep . It takes ten minutes by car . It is hard to think how anyone would want for more from a city. It is full of sophisticated shops, restaurants, cafes, bars and music clubs. There are many interesting festivals held in the city during the year. The old quarter of the city is home to several multicultural food markets and full of fascinating Catalan architecture. The icing on the cake is that almost at every turn, the city is full of exotic palm trees.
Roussillon, The Med, The Pyrenees & Spain. This is a truly superb region for any type of holiday you could wish for and at any time of year. Roussillon is the sunniest part of France with app. 320 sunshine days a year with the autumn being a real treat and break from colder parts of Europe. The Med resorts of Canet, Barcares, St.Cyprien and Argeles all with marvellous beaches are all just minutes away. The famous and beautiful Collioure, Ceret and Figueres in Spain are loaded with artistic history. The majestic Pyrenees wrap themselves around Roussillon and tumble into the Med, the lush countryside is quite simply carpeted with sun baked vineyards. If all that was not enough, the lovely Costa Brava of Spain is Roussillon's southern neighbour.
