Published in French News in December 2004

Sun, Sand and Skiing in Catalonia

The department of Pyrénées-Orientales has it all. Hot sun, sandy beaches, mountains, castles, forts, palm trees and wine. The biggest town is Perpignan, the colourful and lively capital of Catalan France. In March and April it is possible to swim in the sea and ski on the same day. The biggest ski resort is Font Romeu with its neighbour Pyrénées 2000.

One of the least expensive areas to buy is at the foot of the Corbières mountains and near the vineyard villages of Estagel and Maury. One of Couleurs de France’s partner estate agents has a 3 bedroom, village house with 110m2 living space and a 55m2 garage (which could be transformed into a garden) for 147 900€. From Estagel you are only 30 minutes from the coast.
Another lower priced area is between Perpignan and the ski resorts. One of Couleurs de France’s partners has a spacious, 3 bedroom house with a yard of 75m2, terrace of 30m2 and garage, in the centre of a village, for 179 700€.
The Vermillion coast, winding down to Spain, is spectacular. The most popular town is Collioure, with its thirteenth century Royal castle and church by the sea. Prices here are of course higher. However, go just a bit further north and some affordable properties can still be found. One of the agencies Couleurs de France works with has a character stone house with 3 bedrooms and original features in a popular resort for 132 000€. There are some beautiful properties just inland, at the foot of the Albères mountains. There is a 5 bedroom village house with garden for 230 000€.
The diversity, beauty and Mediterranean climate of Pyrénées-Orientales make it an ideal place to buy and provided you are flexible about location, prices can be reasonable.
Linda Rano, Couleurs de France
Property agents Couleurs de France offer property search in the SW, support for buyers and courses on how to buy property in France.
Tel. +33 5 61 09 54 39
info@couleurs-de-france.com
www.couleurs-de-france.com