Prades, 45 minutes to ski and sea

Prades nestles in a beautiful green and fertile valley, 40 minutes from Perpignan and the coast. It is a bustling and lively market town, the Tuesday morning market should not be missed with its stalls laden with fabulous local produce. Each evening you can sample the local cafes and restaurants serving the delicious Catalan specialties of the region.

Each season brings its' own attractions. In summer the town is alive with music and festivals. Spring and autumn are ideal for hiking with many trails just minutes away. The ski resorts of Les Angles and Font Romeu are less than one hour away, making Prades a great base for winter or summer breaks.

Our suggested must- see lists

The villages of Eus, Mosset and Villefranche-de-Conflent, all less than 20 minutes drive away. These are officially classified as some of the most beautiful villages in France. Why not take a picnic and go for a walk in the hills surrounding these idyllic spots. Don't forget your camera to capture the stunning scenery.

After a long walk we cannot recommend highly enough a soak in the natural spring baths at St Thomas les Bains. This spa resort also has a sauna, jacuzzi, steam room and you can treat yourself to a massage.

Take a trip on the Train Jaune, a little narrow gauge railway which clings to the mountainside as it climbs higher and higher, passing over deep gorges and rivers - another great photo opportunity.

Visit the many surrounding churches, abbeys and monasteries, the wealth of Romanesque art and architecture is stunning.

Spend a day touring the vineyards in the next valley: more stunning scenery, beautiful villages, and lots of wines to sample and buy.

If you get tired of the fabulous mountain scenery, spend a day in Perpignan; the old centre has great shopping, and the palace of the Majorcan kings is well worth a visit.

Just one hour away is the Spanish border with the highlights of Gerona and the Salvador Dali museum in Figueres, but you will probably not be able to fit all this in!

It goes without saying that where you find mountains, rivers and lakes, the wealth of associated outdoor activities is too long to mention here. Caving, kayaking, fishing, mountain biking, para-gliding, … ask us for more specific information on your favorite activity.