THE INFOPACK PYRENEES ROUSSILLON INTRODUCTION ……….…….. 1 CHILDREN …………………… 28 GETTING THERE …….……… 2 FESTIVALS AND EVENTS …. 28 CLIMATE ………..……………. 7 ART ………………….…………. 29 A BRIEF HISTORY ……………. 8 SPORTS/ACTIVITIES …………. 30 GUIDES …………………………. 9 TAXIS & HOTELS …………….. 34 NURIA AND THE CARANÇA … 15 GLOSSARY ………….…….….... 35 A DAY IN THE CORBIERES … 20 FRENCH PHONES …….……... 35 CATHARS ………………………. 21 MISCELLANEOUS ……………. 36 EATING AND DRINKING ……. 22 CUSTOMER SATISFACTION LES VINS ……………………….. 25 At the back of this Information booklet you will find the Customer Satisfaction Check Please send it back to us after the end of your holiday so that we may continue to improve our service. Holiday Information We are pleased that you have decided to The rivers Agly (from the Corbières), Têt discover the many attractions of this very (from the Capcir) and Tech (from the special region of France with its distinctive Vallespir) formed the fertile plain which today culture, good wines, traditional cuisine and is a favoured fruit growing area. Roussillon - breathtaking countryside. Red Earth. The colours assail us. In March, walk through orchards of espaliered apricots, The information compiled here aims to help nectarines, peaches and plums, branches heavy you enjoy your stay. We have tried to offer with pink and white blossom, the sky green, you as much information at a glance as pink and blue with reflections. possible. If you find that some details have changed, are incorrect or need updating, we Although there has been development along would appreciate a short note. the coast, imposed by grand plan from Paris, we still find long deserted sandy beaches and email to: [email protected] intimate coves which even in January may invite us to picnic or just to stroll around the _____________________________________ headland. INTRODUCTION Further inland the landscape is still dom- A seemingly trivial modern electronic detail; inated by rows of cypresses along the irrigation here cash machines, before the advent of the canals. Small villages, some from Roman Euro, used to offer you, as a matter of course, times, lay dreamily amongst the apricot and either Francs or Pesetas. As you get to know peach gardens. You will discover nature the area, you realise that this was not simply a almost untouched; fascinating mountain land- modern day super-convenience but an scapes and shaded river valleys with tiny expression of a centuries-old historical fact. villages from another time dotted amongst Pyrénées Orientales (gradually being re-named them. The little market towns and, of course Pyrénées-Roussillon) has a lot more in the capital, Perpignan, are full of southern common with the land across the mountains charm. than with the rest of France and secondly, it is a crossroads, a melting-pot, a fertile region The castles of the Cathars watch out across the much fought over and central to the history of still landscape which can easily be explored by the entire western Mediterranean. bike or on foot along excellent hiking paths. Countless churches and many Romanesque Perhaps it momentarily slumbers but its abbeys await your visit. Slightly further away depth, its layers, are there for all of us to are the medieval towns of Carcassonne, Sète or uncover and discover. Vibrant, it challenges us Narbonne, the old Roman town. with its colours, smells and shapes. In all seasons and all weathers we are offered There are many sports facilities, the clean something interesting, moving, different. We mountain streams are full of carp and trout and may choose to relax or to take up the the excellent caves await your visit. But challenge. We are always uplifted; a sunrise perhaps you just want to do nothing at all and from the sea, a sunset behind the mountains. for this our holiday home will give you the opportunity. You are about to discover an To look up from the mundane, the struggle extraordinary region of Europe. with the shopping trolley across the super- market car park, and see not the greyness of Sainsburys at Camden Town but the wonder of The Real South of France ! the colours of Canigou on a late October afternoon is a memory that can be recalled with pleasure. Is it not for this reason that we go on holiday? Country Cousins 1 _____________________________________ Urban areas: 50 kph GETTING THERE Radar traps are very much more frequent than in England. See Speeding 2004 below. There are numerous ways to travel to the Real South of France. Whichever way you go, a car Other safety matters is essential at most of our holiday homes as The greatest amusement driving in France is public transport is almost inexistent.. A few to be had from the “priority from the right” properties are accessible by rail and these are rule. Unless the road is marked to the contrary marked in the text description. You may anyone approaching from your right must be choose to drive down and you will find in the allowed to pass in front of you and conversely following pages some suggested itineraries. If you have priority over anything coming from you want to fly and hire a car we suggest you your left. In theory it’s fits well into the French do it through Europcar which seem to love-affair with logic, in practise it’s a provide the best service in this area. Be nightmare. Keep in mind that it applies in both warned that if you book an Easycar from town and country. There are road-signs to help Easyjet in Barcelona you are not insured if you make that snap decision that may save you take it into France! your life but because you’re not used to it, stay very alert at all times. See also the “how to get there” tab on the website. Some signs to help Ferries/Tunnel Junction coming up with priority for vehicles approaching from right. We no longer book these as you can get better prices doing it yourself direct on the Internet. Junction coming up where in theory you have priority. Driving down Motorways in France are subject to toll. Fees Whereas the previous sign refers depend on the size of vehicle. Also, if you can specifically to the next junction, this avoid it, do not arrive in Paris on Sunday one tells you that in general the afternoon or early evening as local tolls are nature of the road you are much higher at these times. For the four main travelling on is routes the approximate fees each way per “prioritaire” - until this sign (right) family car are: cancels it. Calais-Paris-Clermont-F (A75)-Perpignan: 54 EUR And once you’ve got that clear, remember Calais-Paris-Toulouse (A20)-Perpignan: 59 EUR Calais-Reims-Lyon-Perpignan: 79 EUR. See that at a roundabout priority is from the left …. Itineraries below. Unmarked junctions – presume that there is You don't need cash at the toll booth. Your priority from the right .. always. Although it is Visa card will be swiped through the machine unlikely that cars will shoot out on to a main (no signature) and you will be on your way in road in the country (except for the occasional seconds. If you want a receipt, ask for a "fiche" local farmer who’s mind is on the harvest), in as you hand them the card. It doesn't matter towns they always will. how small the toll is, they prefer cards. Two more signs we’re not used to in the UK Eating in motorway restaurants can be a are: RAPPEL (remember) which is to be pleasurable experience in France! found on a panel under warning signs that are repeated, a reinforcing message which really Speed restrictions does mean danger and ARBRES INCLINEES (in brackets when its raining). (leaning trees) really does need to be taken Motorways 130 (110) seriously. Dual carriageways: 110 (90) Other roads: 90 (80) Country Cousins 2 I’ve been driving “over there” for many years, Overnight stays but I still look the wrong way at junctions. You will too. The more instinctive a driver you are Reasonably priced hotels and B&Bs can be the worse it is. You look right automatically at found everywhere although booking is a junction and they hit you from the left. advisable on weekends. Prices are normally RAPPEL! per room, breakfast extra. We can book accommodation en route. You will overall quickly discover that driving styles in the Real South of France are Speeding 2004. Because the French are somewhat different to ours. But on narrow tree frankly embarrassed by their road accident lined country roads you will still come across mortality rate, about double that of GB, they flying deckchair 2CV Citroens driven by little are getting tougher with speeding/drinking men in black berets puffing Gauloises driving drivers, and that means you too. New laws at annoyingly slow speeds. They know what recently passed mean the introduction of Speed they are doing, they are the survivors, emulate Cameras and there’s no polite prior warning them and live. Watch the speed restrictions signs telling you where they are situated. before bends; as a rule they give the actual maximum speed that you can still get round it That’s the easy part. Here’s the real one to on two of your four wheels. look out for. Doing 170 down the motorway? Feels like a doddle? Just don’t get caught. If Children under ten must be in back and be you do your license can be taken away on the restrained by belt or approved child car seat. spot and you are not allowed to continue your Very young children can be carried in front in journey.