P-OP-O Life LifeLife inin thethe Pyrénées-Orientales Pyrénées Orientales

Walk the Region Racou to Collioure Out for the day Murals of Maury

Améliorez votre Anglais SPRING 2012 AND Test your French FREE / GRATUIT Nº 35 Your English Speaking Services Directory www.anglophone-direct.com Fond perdu 31/10/11 9:11 Page 1 Edito...

Register for our Well, despite some temperamental teenage tantrums free weekly newsletter, on the weather front, with the thermometer franticly and stay up to date with WINDOWS, DOORS, SHUTTERS & CONSERVATORIES gesticulating at silly minus temperatures, springtime life in the Pyrénées-Orientales. crouches just around the corner. The buds and www.anglophone -direct.com blossoms are beginning to mature all around us, Installing the very best since 1980 mimosa and almond blossom, poppies and irises splash gold, red and pinky white, and a pale sun is preparing to bully away the rainclouds, Call or visit our showroom to talk squeeze out the Tramontane, and herald long sunny days to come. Doesn’t it with our English speaking experts. We also design and install beautiful just make you want to skip? Unrivalled 30 year guarantee The P-O will soon start gearing up for the holiday season, as restaurants conservatories. and cafés re-open after a sleepy winter hibernation, and hopeful ventures, No obligation free quotation – Finance available subject to status old and new, set up to provide sport, entertainment, and a range of activities for the incoming spring and summer tourists and residents alike. In this issue, Leigh and Merry take you walking along the coast to Collioure, Louise Sayers checks out the dining scene, John Fairclough brings us better news on flights in and out of the region, and Simon Newman talks of virgins and dragons! As for Jane and I, we continue to poke our beaks into all things P-O - people and places, age old traditions, myths and legends...... such excellent fun. Happy Springtime! PS. How do you ask a French snake the time? Quelle heure reptile? Kate & Jane Contact us Advertising Magazine gratuit. Tout Droits réservés, e name To find out more about how your Reproduction interdite business can benefit from advertising in Impression: Imprimerie du Mas Tirage: 9000 ex you can trust PO Life and Anglophone Direct contact Ne pas jeter sur la voie publique - Anglophonedirect Michelle on 06 12 22 23 70 (advertising only) accepts no responsibility for the competency of people and services advertising in PO Life. [email protected] Concepteur et rédacteur: Kate www.tryba.com Editorial Maquette & Création: For editorial queries & comment www.blyth-spirit.com tel: 04 68 05 86 71 [email protected] 2 09 64 48 51 86 (editorial only) Next to “Le Clos des Lys” restaurant and the car dealerships P-OLife... Index GET RID Walk the region Le Racou beach to Collioure ...... 6-7 OF YOUR GLASSES ! Did you know?...... 8-9 Airport News...... 10-11 OR CONTACT LENSES Events festivals & traditions...... 12-15 Pont du Diable - ...... 16 Food & drink Restaurant review - Loft Café...... 18-19 Calçotada...... 22 Le Jardin de Collioure...... 24 Asparagus...... 26 Out for the day Molitg les Bains…...... 30-31 Maury to Cucugnan via Quéribus...... 32-35 Les Orgues...... 36-37 Reliable and efficient - 100% laser solution Montpellier ...... 38-39 Long-sighted? Short sighted? Suffering from astigmatism? We ...... 40 can offer you a full range of vision correction treatments whatever Test your French...... 42-45 your age. When was the last time you read your book on the Améliorez votre Anglais...... 46-47 beach or by the pool without glasses hassle? Over the Border Girona with Frog bus...... 48 Why not visit us at Vision Sud santé here in Perpignan and Rugby Virgins and Dragons...... 50 combine a simple vision correction procedure with a relaxing Mediterranean holiday? Tax Efficient Investing in ...... 52

Stratèges-Train d’Enfer Stratèges-Train Things you might need to know...... 54-55 Palais des Congrès, Perpignan How to write a French cheque...... 57 Your sport and leisure activities without glasses or contact lenses organises Emergency numbers...... 59 events, P-O Life distribution points...... 59 exhibitions, English Speaking Services...... 60-63 salons, concerts and conferences throughout the year. Check out their website on www.congres-perpignan.com

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www.visionsudsante.com 4 SITE MÉDIPÔLE - 5 Walktheregion... with Leigh And Merry Foster cross, but in May we were able to jump it without even getting our feet wet. P The old sea-level cliff path to Collioure has been closed, it is so weather-damaged as to be dangerous, so another climb from l’Ouille takes you upwards to the highest point in the walk. Traverse (quite safely) above more cliffs where you can look down at the crystal-clear water between the rocks, so popular with boatloads of divers who look like families of strange seals from a distance. Pass below the intriguing Fort Carré (1758) perched on top of the hill, across the grassy slopes until you reach Fort Miradou, the northern-most part of Vauban’s defensive wall of Collioure. Unfortunately you can’t enter this active military base, so you have to turn Le Racou beach inland through the car park and walk down into Collioure along the Route du Pla de las Fourques. to Collioure Happily it isn’t a busy road and you soon arrive in the back streets amongst the art galleries and cafés. After a stop for lunch, or just a refreshing ice Length: Just under 4km each way. Time: approx 2-3 hrs. Well marked and signposted cream, you can set off back towards Racou for the Old sailor saying Anyone who loves the rocky scenery of the Cote Vermeille will enjoy this popular, short and fairly return journey. The part of the path through the Qui trop écoute la météo, easy walk. It starts in Argelès, at the very end of Le Racou road behind the beach, near the car park, campsite is closed from 22h-08h, presumably to passe sa vie au bistro where the flat sandy landscape gives way to rocky hills. allow the campers a bit of peace after dark, so do P Initially, head east along a paved driveway, through a gate at the camp-site of les Criques de check before you go that you won’t be stuck once then you have the option of doubling back west to Porteils, and weave along the top of the cliffs with the gates are locked! follow the path to the top of a wooded slope where the camp-site to your right and the waves crashing you can find the “table d’orientation” overlooking dramatically on the rocks below to your left, until Racou beach and back towards port Argelès. In you descend to the Plage de l’Ouille. Draped over good weather it can be a lovely vantage point. the cliffs are huge curtains of succulents and cacti, P Heading back east, continue following the which were flowering beautifully when we were footpath, which quickly plateaus out along the top there. of the coastal hill and meanders down into the next P There is a creek at the eastern end of the cove, the Anse de Porteils, which is shingle-covered beach, which after heavy rains can be difficult to and very secluded and pretty. On the way you can admire the easterly aspect of the Albères hills and up to the impressive tower at Madeloc. P The steps are cut into the rock in places, and look almost like a fantastic and very convenient natural feature! P After climbing the rocks next to the little house at the end of this cove, follow the well- marked path along the top of the low cliffs. Pass 6 7 Didyouknow...? Tax relief as we’d all like it! This meaning of life….. When Villefranche-de-Conflent was built in to attract skilled and assorted trades people. 1095 by Guillaume-Raymond, count of Cerdanya Settlers could live tax-free for three years, after ....and the price of alcohol! and Conflent, it was known as Villa Franca (town which they could pay as little or as much as they According to the uSwitch Quality of Life Index, whilst the UK is officially the of free-trade) and allowed special tax privileges wanted., whenever they chose. worst place to live in Europe, (‘high living costs, poor work-life balance and low government spending on healthcare and education’)’, France is top of the spots yet again for quality of life. However, although came second, many of those surveyed said that they would actually prefer to live there, as it seems that the Spanish live on average Fishing for a year longer than the Brits, have the most holidays off work His heart in her mouth and the lowest alcohol prices! compliments Lord Guillaume de Cabestany was a troubadour, soldier, poet, and lover Did you know that if you dangle of Saurimonde, wife of Raimond de Castell-Rossello and subject of many your feet in the river at Laval, near of his poems. So angry and jealous was Raimond, that he killed poor Happy Springtime Queen Amélie and Dan? Sorède in the Albères, you can Guillaume, ripped out his heart, and had it cooked and fed to his wife at Amélie les Bains was originally called ‘Les have ‘fish nibbling therapy’ free of dinner. When she heard what he had done, she told him that the taste Don’t forget to offer those Bains d’Arles’ but was renamed in 1840 by charge? And that isn’t a ‘poisson of Guillaume was so good that it would remain in her mouth forever and you love a little bouquet of King Louis Philippe after queen Amélie. Just d’Avril’! threw herself off the tower to her death. Lily-of-the-Valley (Muguet) over the bridge, the pretty little hamlet of The king of Aragon, Alphonse II, had Raimond put to death for his on 1st May, to wish them Palalda apparently comes from the Latin wrongdoing, confiscated his lands and castle and gave them to the parents happiness and good luck “Palatium Dani” meaning ‘Dan’s Palace’. of Guillaume and Saurimonde. He also arranged for the two lovers to be for spring. It was actually buried in the same tomb in front of the église Saint Jean, in Perpignan King Charles IX of France, who started this tradition by offering Lily-of-the-Valley to all the ladies of his court on CéretThe delightful Céret cherry tradition of offering this day in 1561 the first cherries of the season to the Unlucky Lunar Pyrenees president of the Republic should provide Mountains on the moon are a tasty and colourful little morsel for Giulia, date for called Mons (singular) or recently born daughter of Nicholas and Montes (plural) Amongst Catch me if you can Carla, who might have the chance to some the mountain ranges When American con artist Frank Abagnale, played by nibble on her first ever cherry. You may already know that on the near side Leonardo DiCaprio in the 2001 film ‘Catch Me If You Can’ was 23rd April is the Festival of Sant of the moon you sentenced to one year in Perpignan prison in 1969, he was Jordi (St George) Patron Saint can find Montes transported back to the 17th century, with no light, no bed, no of and the day of the Pyrenaeus, toilet, no wash basin, no drain, just a bucket. This grim stone rose and the book, but did you named after building surrounded also know that on April 23rd, our very own by barbed wire and 1616 both William Shakespeare Pyrenees, as well watchtowers cannot and Miguel de Cervantes (Don as Montes Alpes, fail to capture your Quixote ) died, and that William Montes Jura….. attention on the road Wordsworth also died on that Not sure about the out of Perpignan date in 1850? skiing facilities up towards . 8 there! 9 P-OLife... MONTPELLIER Check out Gatwick 7x pw (Easyjet) Frogbus.com and Perpicat.com Birmingham 2x pw (Ryanair) - for a great alternative to driving to Barcelona & Girona Leeds Bradford 2x pw (Ryanair) Luton 2x pw (Ryanair) Excellent selection of properties throughout the BARCELONA 14x pw (Ryanair) Pyrénées-Orientales Stansted 7 x pw (EasyJet) With JOHN FAIRCLOUGH 40x pw (EasyJet) ◗ Personalised property search AIRPORT NEWS Gatwick Since my last report in the Winter edition on the availability of direct air links between the 7x pw (Monarch) ◗ Relocation services PO and nearby to the UK and Ireland, there have been a Luton 14x pw (EasyJet) number of positive initiatives, some which have borne ◗ Project management PERPIGNAN Heathrow 56x pw ( BA/Iberia) fruit, others which have not. The various airlines and 4x pw (Ryanair) Stansted 5x pw (Ryanair) Edinburgh ◗ Language assistance airports have now published their timetables for Summer 7x pw Vueling 2012 (ie the period from March 25th onwards). Birmingham 1x pw (FlyBe) and translation 3x pw (Ryanair) Leeds Bradford At PERPIGNAN, it’s a mixed bag. The Ryanair flights to Southampton 1x pw (FlyBe) 5x pw (Jet 2) Bilingual Estate Agency Stansted have returned, but FlyBe have reduced their service Dublin 2x pw (Aer Lingus) Newcastle 5x pw (EasyJet) to Southampton , although they have reintroduced one to With you every step of the way Birmingham . As yet, no-one has filled the void created by Bristol 4x pw (EasyJet) GIRONA - all Ryanair BMIBaby’s decision to abandon Manchester . Aer Lingus have Liverpool 12x pw (Easyjet) Birmingham 4x pw clearly decided to try at least another year for their Dublin route. 5x pw (Jet2 Manchester Ryanair seem to have made their peace with the authorities Bournemouth 5x pw 6x pw (Monarch) at GIRONA, so the outlook there looks a lot more rosy, with some Bristol 7x pw 4x pw (EasyJet) Belfast old favourite British destinations back, though it has to be said Cork 2x pw 4x pw (Aer Lingus) that it is still nothing like the heyday of 3 years ago. 7x pw (Ryanair) Doncaster 2x pw Dublin Services out of CARCASSONNE would appear to be at similar 7x pw (Aer Lingus) Dublin 4x pw levels to last summer, though no other airline seems prepared to Nott/E Mids 7x pw (Ryanair) give Ryanair a run for their money there. Knock 3x pw Glas Prestwick 7x pw (Ryanair) BEZIERS has seen a moderate increase in routes, with Ryanair’s Luton 7x pw Southend 7x pw (Easyjet) Manchester connection , and FlyBe’s link with Southampton the Immaculate maison de village with Stansted 7x pw garden and garage, plus 60m² of additional highlights. Glasgow 3x pw (Jet 2) Manchester 7x pw space. 220,000 euros. Ref: 66025821. However, as with the winter, anyone looking for the widest Cork 3x pw (Aer Lingus) Newcastle 3x pw choice of UK/ Ire connections will have to go to BARCELONA Southampton 7x pw Vueling Are you selling? Call us! . Ryanair have expanded their number of routes there to 6 . CARCASSONNE - all Ryanair Cardiff 3x pw Vueling Vous vendez? Appelez-nous! EasyJet have added Southend to their offerings, and special Dublin 3x pw mention should be made of a newcomer, Spanish low-cost www.medandmountain.com carrier, Vueling, who have commenced routes to Edinburgh, Nott/East Mids 3x pw BEZIERS [email protected] Southampton and Cardiff. Glas Prestwick 2x pw Bristol 4x pw (Ryanair) As ever, this is correct at the time of writing (early Feb), and +33 (0) 468 56 54 22 Liverpool 3x pw Luton 4x pw (Ryanair) if there have been any significant changes before the summer or +33 (0) 612 29 52 59 Stansted 7x pw Manchester 2x pw (Ryanair) edition, I will do my best to alert you. In association with Revimmo, Southampton 3x pw (FlyBe) 10 Bournemouth 2x pw carte professionnelle no. 66-2006-213-T-G 11 Eventsfestivalstraditions..... Processions & Parades

At exactly 8 a.m, accompanied by a sombre drumbeat, the ’statue du Ressuscité (Resurrection) and the ‘statue de la Vièrge’ (virgin) arrive from opposite ends of the place de la mairie. Upon the shoulders of ’porteurs’, they salute each other three times. This is the ‘acato’. Believers and non-believers alike find this unique ceremony Carnival social rules of behaviour and class were reversed, moving and memorable. masters waited on their slaves, men dressed like Procession de la Sanch Friday 6th Suddenly, the first Régina, the Régina de Coll, Youpi, it’s carnival time with carnival women, people wore fancy dress, paraded in the April (Good Friday) Perpignan blasts out, a 130 strong choir, accompanied by 40 processions all over the P-O – fancy streets, and thus disguised, could be as wicked as Sinister black and red hooded and robed figures musicians. Follow the procession to the Jardins de dress, street parades, fireworks, singing, they wanted. march slowly through the silent streets of Perpignan. la Rodona, where the second Régina, the Régine de dancing.....along with the symbolic burning A section of carnivals in the region Some walk bare-foot, others are on their knees as Colomer is performed. of evil spirits. 11th March they move slowly forward to the solemn beat of Coll and Colomer were two talented composers Carnival actually dates back to the ancient Greek Céret 11th - 17th March black veiled tambourines. They carry ‘misteris’, full- who wrote these ‘Réginas’, religious music for Easter. spring festival in honour of Dionysus, the god of 18th March size representations of the different scenes of the wine. It was a massive binge - a celebration of Vernet 23rd March Passion, and crosses, crucifixes and religious statues Goigs dels ous excess, and later the church, unable to suppress Port Barcarès 14th - 15th April weighing up to fifty kilos. Under these burdens, their A tradition that dates back to the Middle Ages, it, wisely adapted it instead to its own traditions. suffering is not feigned. Prisoners, penitents, and the goigs dels ous (or joie des oeufs in French) are It became a last fling, a chance to eat, drink and executioner were hooded for maximum confusion traditional Easter songs, ancient hymns sung by be excessively merry before Lent, the 40 day as they accompanied the condemned to their choirs in traditional Catalan costume, signaling a period of fasting, abstinence, and purging of sins. execution. The death penalty has long since been return to life after the sadness of winter. The word ‘carnival’ is often interpreted as coming abolished, but the Sanch lives on in Perpignan. Solemn choirs would wander the streets at night, from the Latin ‘carne vale’, meaning ‘farewell to Night processions also take place in Collioure and and whole families would stand in their doorways meat’ but it is also believed to stem from ‘carrus Arles-sur-Tech ( 21h00) and listen in fervent silence to the religious ‘goigs’. navels’ the ‘naval car’ or ship, which carried the The eggs of the title were a symbol of the rebirth, Gods to the winter feasts. The medieval Church Les Reginas April 8th (Easter the resurrection. Traditionally, the bachelor of the reinterpreted this as the Ship of Fools, on which Sunday) Ille-sur-Tet choir would carry a ‘cistella’ a basket for contributions sinners sail to their deaths, and so was born the Whilst Perpignan, Collioure and Arles are parading of eggs, black pudding, charcuterie, wine...... ensuring carnival float. death, in Ille sur Têt a dawn drum roll announces life; that the singers would end up with everything they Other aspects of Carnival are believed to derive both the Resurrection and the beginnings of spring, needed to cook up an Easter omelette the next day. from the ancient Roman festival Saturnalia, when a rebirth and re-awakening of nature, celebrated Villagers would give these gifts in thanks for the annually in this age old Illois custom music. 12 13 Eventsfestivalstraditions..... r detaile fo d informat ww.angl ion visit:- What’s on Around the Region w ophone-direct.com

We hate sending people off on wild goose chases, even in the hunting season! There are so many festivals, concerts, and events to Sat 28th-29th April Thur 17th – 20th May herald in spring and summer in the Pyrenees Orientales, and sometimes they April Perpignan Destination Mer. Canet are sneakily brought forward, backwards, sideways, cancelled or changed. La Nuit des Longs Capots Four days dedicated to water With this in mind, we bring you only a small selection of main, confirmed Sunday 1st April Vintage car rally with over 70 sports and sailing, free try outs, events here. Detailed, up-to-date What’s On information will continue to be Arles-sur-Tech Foire aux ‘beautiful bodies’ representing sports competitions and demos with cars produced since the 1950s. kite-surfing and wake boarding published on www.anglophone-direct.com and in our free weekly newsletter. chevreaux (baby goats) Produce fair with arts, crafts, local specialists, music, Fiesta Latina products, and cute baby goats 28th April - 2nd June Show, Batucada, (samba style 04 68 39 11 99 Aspres Music Festival Brazilian percussion) fireworks…. Colourful, varied and entertaining 04 68 86 72 00 Don’t forget to turn March Sat 7th - 8th April festival of jazz concerts, which take your clocks forward place in local wine domains and Saturday 19th May Tuesday 6th March Villefranche de Conflent Sunday 25th March Fête des Géants & Goigs small village churches, a great way Around the region Palais des Congrès, Perpignan. 2012 (during the night of Minstrels play Catalan musical of exploring the Aspres and sampling La Nuit des Musées Che Malambo Saturday/Sunday morning) instruments (gralles, flaviol and delicious wines produced by local Free evening at regional museums Vibrant, exciting Argentinian dance Mornings will be darker but it will tambourin), and giants parade producers. 04 68 53 10 00 with special events for the occasion Group 04 68 34 07 48 grow dark later. through the Streets.... NB Not all museums will participate www.nuitdesmusees.culture.fr Thur 8th - 9th March 04 68 53 77 02 Castillet Cinema, Perpignan. Sun 8th - 9th April Sunday 20th May Film: Une vie avec Oradour. Robert to Axat May Perpignan Marathon BANK HOLIDAYS Hébras Lanois, one of only six persons 8th April - Lundi de Pâques Easter egg Train (TPCF) All profits from this semi marathon to survive the massacre of Oradour, Tuesday 8th May 1st May - Fête du Travail Take a ride with the Easter bunny. (21,100 km) and ten kilometre race gives a meticulous account of the day,. Canet Fête de la Victoire 1945 8th May - Fête de la Victoire Egg hunt, picnic and Easter omelette. go to charitable organisations. If you 04 68 59 99 02 Re-creation of a 40s style US army don’t want to run, why not go along 17th May – Ascension Thursday 8th March camp, procession of military vehicles, and support - all in a good cause. 27th May – Pentecôte Théâtre de l’Archipel, Perpignan Sun 8th - 9th April Sherman tank etc, live music playing www.marathonperpignan.com Grupo Compay Segundo Glenn Miller classics…. 06 99 27 20 00 / 06 19 40 79 02 Argelès Fête Américaine Exciting, infectious Afro Cuban big Yee ha! Demos of country and band. 04 68 62 62 00 12th to 20th May Saturday 26th May western, exhibition of American cars Girona Festival of Flowers. Theatre de l’Etang, Saint Estève School holidays for our region Saturday 17th March and motor bikes, red Indian village, mechanical bucking bronco, stage Parks, gardens and public buildings Tribute to James Brown Galerie Marianne, Argelès village coach rides...... are covered in magnificent, A unique show of live music with the Easter Holidays - 17th - 23rd April Les Musicales d’Argelès multicoloured displays of flowers Béziers Rhythm & Blues Band. Concert with saxophone, tuba and Sunday 15th April 04 68 38 34 95 flute 04 68 81 50 60 Thur 17th - 20th May Maury Festival of wine and Banyuls-sur-Mer Ascension Sat 26th - 27th May Saturday 31st March chocolate Chocolate workshops with world champion desert makers Flamenca. Flamenco music, dance Céret La fete de la Cerise Laroque-des-Albères and patissiers, a glass of Maury in and guitar as Banyuls echos to the Cherry festival and Festival des Vide Greniers Cap Rando Group or family ramble one hand and a chocolate creation sounds of Spain. Bandas 04 68 87 00 53 accompanied by team ‘Challenge’ - a Visit our site at www.anglophone-direct.com for an in the other - life can be so hard!! bit of fun competition between teams. up-to-date list of the vide greniers in your area. 04 68 50 08 54 Open to all 06 33 56 26 38 14 15 P-OLife... English Speaking Hairdresser Ladies, Gents & Children Styling for special occasions - weddings, parties, communions... Open with or without appointment Mon: 2pm – 7pm. Wed closed. Tues, Thurs, Fri, Sat: 9am – 6pm Ample free parking near by ◗ Annual or seasonal 04 68 29 78 74 maintenance contracts 30 av Jean Jaures, 66330 CABESTANY ◗ Carry out one-off cleans ◗ Deal with green pools English Beauty erapist ◗ Repair, upgrade & maintain and Refl exologist in the heart of Céret • Facials • Tinting • Waxing • Acrylic Nails • Manicures • Body Treatments The Legend of the B autyElements Slon & Pedicures & Massage [email protected] Re exology - Relief from the Stress & Strain of Everyday Life www.tpm66.com 16 Boulevard Arago, Ceret - Ample free parking near by Beauty Re exology Pont du Diable - Céret +33 (0)6 75 46 93 65 06 42 94 25 79 06 47 00 86 92 Many bridges built in medieval Europe The angry Cérétans finally gave him a deadline, were named ‘the Devil’s Bridge’ as they were after which he would be hanged for taking the often amazing feats of architecture, built by money and not completing the work! hand with skills considered beyond human The night before the fatal deadline, as violent capabilities. Le Pont du Diable in Céret, a weather threatened to carry the unfinished bridge 14th-century bridge with a 46-metre span, at away again, a tall, dark stranger approached him. 04 68 98 47 41 the time of its construction the world’s largest “This evening, at midnight, the bridge will be bridge arch, has its own story attached. finished. In return, you must give me the first living YOUR NEW In the fourteenth century, the two banks of being to cross the bridge.” STORE: the River Tech were joined by a wooden bridge, The desperate engineer agreed, and the stranger which was regularly washed away by the wind disappeared in a puff of sulphur. and rain. The Cérétans decided to build a more Realising the gravity of his act, the engineer solid bridge out of stone, but engineers declared it arrived at the bridge on the stroke of midnight, as impossible, as the banks were too steep. However, the devil was about to place the last stone, and sent one engineer, attracted by a large sum of money a black cat across the bridge. Surprised, the devil proposed, took on the challenge. dropped the stone, leaving the bridge unfinished as His first attempt was destroyed by a storm, he followed the cat as far as to claim its his second by the collapsing of the scaffolding, soul, and to this day, the bridge remains unfinished. sending the nearly finished bridge crashing down No one is able to replace that one last stone. 16 into the River Tech. 17 Food&drink afternoon tea and a crêpe or LOFT Café Restaurant something from the dessert 2 Rue Fontfroide. PERPIGNAN menu? In the evenings, the after- 04 68 66 88 74 Review [email protected] work crowd congregate for an with Mon to Wed non-stop LOFT Louise Sayers apéro at the bar, and on Thursday from 8.45am to 8pm nights, Loft is a magnet for lovers Thur to Sat non-stop from CafePERPIGNAN of live music with bands playing 8.45am to midnight/1am jazz, blues and bossa nova. Closed on Sundays Lunch is served from midday to This is Jean-Michel’s first foray 2.30pm and dinner from 7-10pm Perpignanais by birth, english speaker and self-confessed Anglophile, into the restaurant business the charming owner of the recently opened Loft Café, Jean-Michel Dutois, places his focus firmly on and we all know just how hard quality food, impeccable service and creating a convivial friendly atmosphere. it is setting up a new venture in the Located in Perpignan old mashed potatoes and spinach choices such as fromage blanc. current climate. I urge you to support him town, slap bang in front of the and the fish a ‘Parillade’, mixed We chocoholics all sampled the and drop by for a coffee, afternoon tea, cathedral, Loft is the only bar/ seafood platter with rice. Both warm brownies, unanimously lunch, an apéro or dinner. You will certainly restaurant offering alfresco were beautifully presented and enjoyed and not too rich and be assured of a very warm welcome. dining in the square. The interior declared delicious by my fellow cloying, as they so often are. is crisp, clean and stylish with diners I went for a pizza which The dinner menu offers the Louise Sayers runs Med and Mountain’s an attractive bar, contemporary was crisp of base and generous choice between tapas, plates Help in France service, providing assistance furniture and recent artwork of topping – as a pizza should be. of charcuterie specially sourced for homeowners and non-French speakers adorning the walls. The wine list is a work in from 3 different regions of throughout France www.medandmountain. There are different menus at progress with a large selection of Spain, or an à la carte menu. The com Loft for lunch and dinner. The mostly local wines at present, but tapas are substantial dishes and lunch menu featured salads, Jean-Michel will be expanding most with a lovely twist on the pizzas, pasta, cold plates and his list of new world wines in the traditional, such as prawns with two specials, which change daily, coming months. mango salsa and ginger confit, or one meat (11 euros) and one There is a good choice of beef with sweet and sour peanut fish (13 euros). The meat dish desserts with classics such as sauce. was spatchcocked chicken in a tarte tatin, lemon meringue pie The à la carte menu changes brandy cream sauce served with and fig tart, as well as lighter monthly. At present, the starters are a selection of salads priced JAZZ RESTAURANT & BAR from 8 to 11 euros, or the tapas A unique dining experience in the heart of Perpignan menu. Main courses start at 17.90 Open for Brunch, Lunch, Afternoon Tea, Aperos and Dinner euros and are imaginative and enticing, such as tenderloin of • Inspired cuisine pork with a gin reduction and • A La Carte & Tapas menus winter vegetables or roasted and • Vegetarian options always available sliced John Dory with beurre • Award winning wines from around the world blanc and confit tomatoes with Live Jazz every Thursday evening basil. To avoid disappointment reservations are strongly recommended If you don’t want lunch or dinner, how about morning 04 68 66 88 74 | [email protected] coffee and a read of the paper 2 Rue Fontfroide, 66000 Perpignan (near the Cathedral) 18 in a relaxing environment, or A warm welcome and relaxed atmosphere guaranteed 19 Food&drink Prepare soft dough by mixing together all the ingredients.

Knead well on floured surface until smooth and elastic. Cave & Bar Cover with cling film and leave for about Wine, Whisky, BUNYETES 2 hours. Rum & Beer Spread with rolling pin then stretch the Also known as ’Oreillettes’ or ’merveilles’, bunyetes pastry with fingers until very thin. Drinker’s Heaven! are traditionally made and eaten at Easter all over (Although quite tasty, avoid eating the Catalonia, These flat, fried ’pancakes’ flavoured with raw dough, it will give you wind!) orange flower essence, swell in oil, become crisp, and are served dusted with granulated sugar, much like Cut into squares and drop into hot oil. maquette pub AC HD OK.pdf 1 16/02/11 09:08 Rum and Whiskey “discovery” beignets or doughnuts. When one side is golden brown and crisp, 5th - 24th March Pop in 1 1/2 teaspoons instant dry yeast • 4 tablespoons turn and cook other side until golden. and try our special boxes Not sure which one’s butter, melted and cooled • 4 eggs • a few drops orange They cook very quickly - be careful not to Irish Beers and the best - try them all... flower water • 1 tablespoon lemon zest, finely grated • 1 lb burn them! plain flour • 1/4 teaspoon salt • fine white sugar • 1 litre of Whiskies vegetable oil for deep frying BringingBon apétit! you the taste of Around the world in 350 Beers! Don’t forget Dad HOME & ABROAD British, German, French, Canadian, Dutch, Tahitian... Fresh ingredients from around the world this Father’s Day! The largestplus allrange your great British of flavour Pataks We have an exciting range of gifts An unrivalled selection of Asian and Oriental pastes & picklesproducts and fresh in produce the. P-O & accessories

Mas Guérido - Cabestany +33 (0)4 68 67 59 07 9 avenue Ampère 66330 Cabestany world Unique Cooling Stones for around the Beer “crates” & tool boxes those who like their drinks nts from rites redie our great British favou For the person who has everything!! chilled but not watered down sh ing Plus all y Fre An unrivalled selection of Asian Exiting new range of cake and Oriental products and fresh produce An unrivalled selection of unique gifts, perfect for baking & decorating products 04 68 67 59 07 those who enjoy a good tipple! 9 Avenue André Ampère Mas Guerido 66330 Cabestany - Cabestany 04 68 86 36 68 22 rue Michel Carré 66330 Mas Guerido, Cabestany 20 Bringing you the taste of home & abroad www.VandB.fr L’abus d’alcool est dangereux pour la santé, à consummer avec modération 21 Food&drink Calçotada O’SHANNON PUB That’s another fine mess you’ve got me into More than just a Guinness Bar... 7 Draught beers including tile, dipped in salvitxada or Sunday 4th March our beloved Guinness Vernet-les-Bains romesco sauce, (in Vernet, This Catalan tradition can one of the secret sauce Now serving draught Cider leave you in a fine old mess, ingredients is ‘les gnores’ but onion lovers will sigh a mystery to solve for the Enjoy a Pint @ Happy Hour with pleasure at these linguists amongst you) and (well 2 hours actually!) ‘calçots’ (pronounced accompanied by red wine or cal-show) served up with cava. 1€ o all pints and so drinks If you don’t know of a a ’sauce romesco’ at a 5.30pm - 7.30pm every evening convivial ‘calçotada,’ ‘calçotada’ in a village near (communal calçot get- you, they can be ordered at many typical Catalan together) and accompanied 3, Rue de l’Incendie, 66000 Perpignan by entertainment, live restaurants, particularly in music and dancing. south Catalonia. They will probably supply you with a Tel: 04 68 35 12 48 O’SHANNON Perpignan Calçots are a variety of open 7 nights a week 5.30pm – 2.00am long, thick green onion bib, and some may even offer (rather like skinny leeks) gloves! that have their peak season Traditionally, sausages or in January, February, and lamb are served up after the RESTAURANT March. They are normally calçots, followed by crema cooked on a barbecue and Catalana. RESTAURANT turned and turned until To eat, peel off the blackened A hiddenRESTAU RjewelANT in the heart of Céret. entirely blackened outside outer layer, dip liberally Not just for outside summer dining! and soft and sweet inside. into the sauce, hold above They are served on an the head and start from the You have whiled away the hours, “people upturned terracotta roof bottom that is dripping in watching” from our shady terrace, enjoying a meal sauce. Bon apétit! with friends or coffee with clients. We now invite you to discover our “hidden restaurant” - perfect for those cooler evenings The Catalan tradition for an ‘-ada’ or (’ade’ in French) describes a collective meal for many, Uniquely re-designed by local artists Alias usually based around a single ingredient, a et Alias, our stunning, upstairs dining room good excuse for some highly unusual, charming combines charm and atmosphere with and community spirited festivals. Some examples are bullinada, (fish stew) cargolada, art and creativity (grilled snails) ollada, (winter stew) escalivada, We look forward to welcoming you (grilled veggies) calçotada, (char grilled 35 bd Maréchal Jo re, Céret May-Sept Open 7/7. Otherwise: closed Mon evening & all day Tues onions)….. 3 Course menus starting from 17€. Extensive à la carte menu including salads, tapas... 22 04 68 87 11 27 23 Food&drink Le Jardin de Collioure There’s nothing quite like it in Collioure! COLLIOURE New on the restaurant scene this Spring, Le in 1290. Jardin de Collioure, soon to open in the old The vast adjoining church, with vaulted roof was An unforgettable dining experience Dominican Convent, will add a new dimension bought in 1926 by the wine growers of Collioure in the heart of Collioure to dining in Collioure. The actual renovation and turned into a stunning ‘cave’, now stocking the e sympathetically converted 12th century building will be project in itself is remarkable, the conversion AOC Collioure and Banyuls wines of 160 vignerons. open all year round for lunch & dinner – dine inside or outside of the derelict part of this 12th century A guided tour of the beautiful old building, tastings in the tranquil walled gardens building, the oldest building in Collioure, a truly of the many wines, and a visit to the pretty little mammoth task, but owner Franck Fulliquet, art gallery next door, following lunch or preceding Choose from a mouth watering selection of tapas, dynamic and innovative Catalan ‘de souche’ dinner in the ‘Jardin’ is sure to make a delightful day freshly caught sh, seafood and meat. (born and bred) rarely sits still long enough to out. Select your cut of sh or meat, the size you want – ponder on the enormity of the task that he has The restaurant will also rent out ‘casiers’ - large then decide how you would like it cooked – grilled, baked, undertaken. private wine lockers where customers can store up salt crusted or ambé With two gardens, one to be a roomy outdoor to 25 bottles of wine, which they can drink with eating area and the other a ‘bar à vin’ for tapas friends in the pleasant garden when they wish - no Why not try our traditional “Cargolades” – delicious and wine tasting, original secret passages, vaulted obligation to eat. barbecued snails or spit roasted suckling pig interior dining room, free parking, the option to Good service and a spacious, tranquil and All of the wines on our menu come om choose and weigh your own fish or cut of meat, comfortable environment are amongst Franck’s our own domaine. there really is nothing quite like it in Collioure. priorities. Price and facilities allow access to all, as Far from the madding crowd, tucked away for menus will start from 15€50, and the restaurant is Group bookings, weddings and parties catered for. maximum peace and quiet, yet in the very heart of well equipped for the disabled. Scheduled to open Reservations recommended - 06 81 37 55 91 Collioure, the house and surrounding gardens of at the end of April, your first visit to Le Jardin de the Dominican Convent and St Dominique Church Collioure is unlikely to be your last. Located between the Cave Coopérative , Le Dominicain in Collioure were donated to the Dominican Order Bon apetit! Cave and the Musée de Collioure 4 Route de Port Vendres 66190 Collioure Ample ee, private parking

24 25 Food&drink

Visit this famous ancient Lintel in the nearby church in Saint Genis des Fontaines Asparagus Auberge des Albères what a superhero! Restaurant, Wine & Tapas Bar Don’t miss out on gathering delicious wild the sweet smell of violets by adding a few drops of asparagus at this time of year. This elusive, turpentine to the chamber pot”. 3 course mid week lunch fern-like plant, thin, spindly, and packed In fact, the distinctive smell in urine after eating menu from 13€90 with flavour, is rather good at concealing asparagus is believed to be due to sulphur- The Real Taste of itself amongst the briars and grasses of the containing amino acids that break down during 2 courses from 11€90 the Mediterranean undergrowth, but hunting them down can digestion, although it seems that not all of us have Plat du Jour 9€90 become a great day of fun-filled adventure, a gene that enables us to smell the resulting effects Using only the fi nest local, seasonal leading you to strange and unexplored places. on our pipi!! Lucky for some! ingredients we offer a mouthwatering Asparagus has been around for many hundreds For a “lighter bite” why range of varied, inspired dishes of years. Ancient herbal remedy and recipe books not relax with a glass of Christmas Menu including aperos – 38€ applaud it as both food and medicine, with a Homemade quiche with wild asparagus. mention in the oldest surviving Roman recipe Pie pastry (pâte brisée) or puff (pâte feuilletée) wine and a selection of New Years Eve Menu – 75€ book, ‘Apicius’, thought to have been compiled in Bunch of wild asparagus including aperos, wine, champagne & entertainment 1 shallot home cooked Tapas the late 4th or early 5th century. 1 clove of garlic Book now to avoid disappointment Where vitamins and nutrients are concerned, 125g ‘lardons’ asparagus is low in calories and sodium, a source of 3 eggs folic acid, potassium, vitamins K and A, and dietary milk Just 10 Minutes from the tourist fibre, a natural diuretic, reducing swelling and water gruyère cheese retention and recommended for its detox, anti- Chop up the asparagus, garlic and shallot and fry in hustle & bustle of Argeles Sur Mer aging and aphrodisiac qualities. olive oil for 5 mins. Fry the lardons. Ample free parking And that’s not all! Recent research has also Prepare the ‘migaine’ (the basic part of any quiche recipe) identified ‘saponins,’ associated with improved by beating together three eggs, 1/2 cup of milk, and 78 avenue Maréchal Joffre 66740 adding salt and pepper. blood pressure, improved blood sugar regulation, SAINT GENIS DES FONTAINES and better control of blood fat levels. Wow! What a Shape the pastry into the mould, add the lardons and asparagus mixture, cover with grated gruyere and superhero! pour the migaine over it. In 1891, Pellegrino Artusi, author of ‘The Science Place in the oven at a temperature of 180°C of Cookery and the Art of Eating Well’ carried out For Reservations : for 25 -30 min. some research into improving the unpleasant smell (Merci à Martine-Sophie) of chamber pots after an aspargusfest and noted 04 68 89 88 38 26 that “the nasty odour ... can be transformed into www.auberge-des-alberes.com 27 Food&drink Le Château de Riell **** Florence, Franck Fulliquet and their team look forward to welcoming you all year round Stunning gourmet restaurant in a breath taking setting. A truly memorable dining experience & day out for the whole family. Enjoy a relaxing swim in the pool after your meal Special offers and promotions available via our website www.chateauderiell.com 04 68 05 04 40 PujolRestaurant Poissonnerie Choose your fi sh from the freshly caught catch in our “fi shmongers” then decide how you would like it cooked - grilled, baked, salt crusted, fl ambé ... A truly unique seafood dining experience Extensive à la carte menu also available including a wide selection of meat dishes Seafood platters Dine outside on the covered terrace overlooking the Port or to eat in or to inside in our large panoramic take away dining room 04 68 82 01 39 Open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner www.chezpujol.com 16 qu. Pierre Forgas 66660 Port Vendres Le Grand Hotel *** LE TRÉMAIL - Collioure Restaurant “Le Café Casals” Cuisine d’Appétit - Elegant, inspired healthy dining in a beautiful “Spa” setting Un vrai bijou au coeur du Collioure Using only freshly caught fi sh & seafood our Special offers and promotions available via our website specialities include: mariscade, parillade, www.grandhotelmolitg.com 04 68 05 00 50 bouillabaisse, fi sh “à la plancha” Open all year round 1 rue Arago, Collioure 04 68 82 16 10 Just 5 mins 20m from the sea front www.restaurant-letremail.fr 28 from Prades29 Outfortheday... Grand Hotel of Molitg les Bains… As promised in the Autumn edition, non residents alike are welcome to come and eat here we are back at the Grand Hotel of or take a drink on the terrace where Pablo Casals Molitg les Bains. played, explore the grounds, have a treatment, At the far end of the main salon is a enjoy the concerts. Guests eating in the restaurant grand piano, beside it, the bust of Pablo can use the pool and, during school holidays there Casals, the famous cellist who, on escaping are often activities designed with children in mind. the , settled in Prades. As The hotel staff are multi lingual and happy to tell a protest against the Republican defeat, he you the programme. refused to play in public, until, one day he While visiting the Grand Hotel, the old village was persuaded to play at the White House of Molitg should not be ignored. At its medieval in USA with his friend Rostropovitch. After centre is the 12th century church against which that he gave concerts in Prades and Prades leans the 14th or 15th century Chateau de Molitg. gave him a small house in which to practice In fact the church tower was the lookout of the and live. He also gave cello lessons. But chateau and the faithful used to have to traverse when he fell in love with Martita, a young the chateau courtyard to enter the church. It was Puerto Rican student, the people of Prades considerably altered in the 19th century and now, threw him out. Mme Barthélémy proposed during the Pablo Casals summer festival, concerts giving them a house in the Grand Hotel are held there. It is open from April to November on and from then, on each time he was in Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from 10h – 18h. Europe, he came to stay. Drive further up the valley from the Grand Hotel Pablo Casals found, at the Grand Hotel, and you will come to , a fortified medieval a sanctuary where he could practice village on the old frontier between the Kindom his music and relax in the beauty of the of France and that of Aragon. The narrow alleys, surroundings. Mlle Barthélémy rmembers vestiges of the ramparts, and the ruined castle all well how, when he rehearsed, all the tell of a long and sometimes troubled history. From family and staff would listen. She describes the clock tower of the church of St Julien and Ste vividly the joyous, informal occasions with Baselisse a fir tree sprouted in the year of he French everyone sitting on the grass, on walls, in Revolution. It has grown a mere 2.9 metres in the the trees, all enjoying every note he played. past two hundred years and is regarded as a symbol The family had a fifteen bell clarion of the tenacity of the good folk of Mosset. The Tour made in his honour. It plays his famous de Parfum, a museum deicated to smell, is an extra composition “Cant dels Ocells”, the song of olefactory experience to add to a very varied day the birds in which he tells the world of the out in and around the Grnd Hotel of Molitg les sadness and regret of the Catalan People, Bains. for whom, tomorrow, it will be a song of After visiting either village, the Grand Hotel is peace and hope. It was played every time the place to stop and relax with a cool drink on he arrived. the terrace, surrounded by beautiful gardens and To this day the Grand Hotel hosts many listening, as did Pablo Casals, to the song of the 30 concerts and art exhibitions. Residents and birds. 31 Outfortheday... Maury to Cucugnan via Quéribus

The little town of Maury, on the N117 after , is well known for its wine. Particularly its naturally sweet wine. It is less well known for its murals. Few people stopping on the way to Quéribus to taste the wine know of the “Chemin de Trompe l”Oeil”. In 1998, Bernard Gout, master muralist from Perpignan, was invited by the town council to decorate a few walls of the old village. Well worth exploring the quiet alleys of the old village to see how well he has succeeded in “tricking the eye”… Start at the Maison du Terroir, passing three old men on a bench in the sun, before entering for a degustaton or for a gourmet meal at the excellent Pascal Borrell restaurant. In the adjoining Tourist Office, pick up a map of the trail. Walk back past the three old men who have not moved a whisker and, all along the wall of the Cave Co-operative the now suspicious eye can discern the hand of Bernard Gout in a dog guarding the entrance to a wine cave, the vigneron looking around his cellar door, a 32 33 Outfortheday...

chair waiting to be sat on in the sunshine. Turning cellars, and climb and climb until the road slips the corner, is that a fountain or not? Or that horse, out of the P. O. and into the Aude and the road to looking over its stable door? True or false? And Café the Chateau appears on the right. After visiting the La Marquise Grise on the way to the Mairie? That Chateau, or merely admiring it from the car park, looks an attractive place for a coffee… there is the possibility of a gentle walk of about an The skill of Monsieur Gout, his lightness of touch, hour each way to Cucugnan and back. Alternatively, humour and the sheer beauty of his creations anyone who does not feel like walking, could drive quickly turn the walk into a treasure hunt. down to Cucugnan to greet the walkers on their The bucholique scene in the Place Victor Hugo arrival. is the work of Emmanuel Bolzoms, the rest are all Walkers need to turn their backs to the Castle, Bernard Gout’s. and, passing the “organic” “dry” WCs on their right, Cucugnan is a good base for exploring other At the end of most of the side streets, high on take the piste that curves around the hillside, Cathar Castles or enjoying long walks in the the skyline, is the unmistakable shape of Chateau descending slightly. The views are constantly big beautiful countryside. It is also the home of Claire de Queribus the last Cathar Castle to fall in 1255. It and beautiful. Goats graze on the garrigue, the Campbell, a skilled and ever patient teacher could almost be taken for a Trompe d’Oeil but is, of scent of the herbs floats on the air and, after forty whose one to one French lessons are actually a course, solid, spectacular and needs visiting. minutes or so, the little town of Cucugnan can be pleasure and allow time for discovering the joys From the cave Co-operative, follow the signs seen sitting in its wide valley backed by receding of the region as well as improving one’s French. to Cucugnan, passing Bernard Gout’s row of wine peaks of dramatic mountains. 06 78 15 19 29, www. cours-a-cucugnan.com or 34 email: campbell claire53@yahoofr 35 Outfortheday...

Les Orgues

If you swish past Ille sur Têt on the express way by repetitive drips of water carrying a grain of part of the N116, on the far bank of the Têt river sand or flake of clay down the side of a sandy rock at the ‘Plan d’Eau’, a popular shady picnic spot you will see strange limestone cliffs rising out column, carving out a gully as they fall. The effect by the river complete with barbeques and stone of the trees that line the bank: Les Orgues d’Ille. is of a slightly eerie but beautiful and very fragile tables. It is backed by the same limestone cliffs, To reach them you need to go through Ille sur landscape. same sandy rock formations as the site itself. Têt and cross the river following the signs to It is a landscape that has taken five million years Walks along the river, up in the direction of ‘Puig Belesta. The road to the site is indicated right to develop and is reminiscent of those found in Pedros’ or to the old ruined village of Casanoves are on a sharp left hand bend by the tuileries. Buy Cappadocia in Turkey or the Brice Canyon in the gentle and easy, more a ‘ballade’ than a walk. It is a your tickets and collect an informative leaflet United States. It is now in its last phase, the erosion peaceful and pleasant place in which to while away at the entrance hut. The path to the site is a phase. Gradually rain will sweep the last of the an afternoon at any time of the year. The vegetation pleasant walk through agricultural land until columns to the sea and les Orgues will cease to is almost tropical in its exuberance close to the you reach the amphitheatre formed by the cliffs exist. However this will take a while, it does not rain river, giving way to peach orchards and olive groves of les Orgues, gigantic columns rising ten to too often and plenty of time remains to visit the site further on. Parasol pines stand sentinel on the tops twelve metres with almost bonsais vegetation and marvel. of the cliffs and the arid scrubby garrigue covers sprouting from their tops. Les Orgues d’Ille can also be seen if you take a the hills, home to French lavender and thyme and 36 The ‘organ pipes’ themselves have been formed left at the first roundabout over the bridge, arriving nesting birds. 37 Outfortheday...

right. This is it.” It’s a shame because the delightful baroque architecture that dominates this city (minaret-style rooftops are in abundance too) is a joy to behold and a more dramatic, contemporary counterpoint would have worked a treat, though to be fair, this rather bland building is spectacular With Simon Newman once inside. Montpellier A trip to Montpellier is a recharge for the soul. It’s A beautiful city with the odd a feel-good, dynamic and elegant city eminently do-able in a day from most corners of the PO. Go imperfection to render it just perfect on, make the effort.

Getting there : Drive - park and ride from the The city of Montpellier is consistently voted (some are vibrantly multi-floraled) and carrying a bijou art galleries and tasteful interior furnishers. As Odesséum car park, J29 on the A9. Costs 4 Euros one of the top places to live in France - by quarter of a million people a day, they’re regular you’d expect, eateries of all cuisines are plentiful and and includes 2 tram tickets. no less than the French themselves. Close to and cheap, going as far as the Etang de L’Or at if Morrocan’s your thing, Les Jardins de Marrakech Train - Fast, though not especially frequent, the Mediterranean it has glorious baroque Pérols eight kilometres away. Bicycle rental is also gets consistently good ratings on the blogs. from Perpignan. 1hr 50mins, from 38 Euros return. architecture, a lovely old quarter, chic shopping, encouraged, with a convenient pick up/drop off According to Montpellier’s tourist guide, a Be aware on arrival there can be aggressive plenty of cultural hotspots and no end of scheme in place throughout the city. Bike theft must-see (as well as the celebrated and recently begging around Montpellier’s Gare St Roch eclectically inspired restaurants. And the good though, both in part and in whole, is endemic with refurbished Musée Fabre) is the modern Corum concourse. news for visitors is that it’s scale can be done sad remains of velos-that-were left forlornly chained opera house, at the end of a long, windswept park Coach - Get a group together and hire a coach justice to even on a day trip. to lampposts all over the city. area off the Place de la Comédie. When I finally +driver from 15 Euros a head return, drop off With Europe’s oldest university, students are Whilst the Polygone shopping mall provides got there, I thought, “Right, I’ve found the car in city centre. Check out Argeles Tourisme and in great evidence wherever you go, doing what plenty of retail therapy, it’s yawningly predictable park, where’s the actual opera house then? Oh, Frogbus for deals. students do best - lounging, leaning, larking, flirting, - you could be anywhere. Far more uplifting is the texting, tweeting, meeting, eating and very possibly city’s old quarter, with quirky little shops so specialist studying. The city is also home to several hi-tech that you wonder how on earth they make a living. companies (like Dell Computers) dominated by One I saw sold only white blouses, its display youthful employees. This generational bias ensures window consisting of nothing else. Another, an old- the city feels alive and energetic at every turn - a fashioned wig and hair-piece shop, had its wares vibe all ages can tap into and feel rejuvenated. displayed on macabre model heads of differing ‘skin’ Twelve years ago Montpellier introduced trolley- colours, all cracked and faded - unsettling to behold trams to the city centre as a part of its eco-friendly but compelling viewing! However the old quarter 38 transport policy. Colour coded for different routes mostly consists of elegant boutiques, inviting delis, 39 Outfortheday... The Earliest Europeans did not Cheminées actually settle in Brussels... la Gaieté du Feu The Region’s ...Many chose Tautavel… Heating Stove Experts So where did they Open from 14h30 – 17h30, come from 1.8 the very reasonable entrance Specialists in million years ago? ticket is 2 euros for adults, 1 Pellet Stoves What did they do? euro child or take an 8 euro and Burners. The story of those first adult, 4 euro child ticket to An attractive, cost Europeans is to be found visit the Tautavel Museum donnez des ailes à la recherche in le Nouveau Centre and Centre of Prehistory as effi cient, clean and d’Interpretation in the Palais well, an inspiring place, where ecological way to

de Congrès of Tautavel. students come from all over heat your home. Pyrénées Languedoc Easy to find by taking the small road between the world to study Prehistory, where the original www.enfantsetsante-plr.com To fi nd out more visit our showroom the Town Hall and the Post Office with their archaeological finds are stored and where copies Combating childhood cancer and leukemia attractive ceramic mosaic decorations. A ceramic are meticulously made for use in exhibitions and 2480 Av Julien Panchot mosaic panel “l’homme arrive en Europe” assures museums worldwide. KM 3, route de 66000 PERPIGNAN Cure more - Cure better you are on the right path. Walking to the Museum through the village it is 04 68 54 13 33 Help us to save lives The exhibition tells the story of man’s arrival in hard to resist the many wine caves offering tastings www.gaiete-du-feu.com www.enfantsetsante-plr.com the Caucasus from Africa all those millions of years of the excellent wines of Tautavel, or the brilliant ago and plots his journey towards Asia and Europe. and stylish Raku pottery of Juan and Marilyne Verdy, It is clearly shown, easy to grasp and fascinatingly or the grenat jewelers, or the tempting restaurants. Professional presented. From the days before he had learnt to In fact in the summer edition we will explore both design, supply hunt and following the trail of the tools he made the village and the surrounding countryside in and the fossil remains of ancient animals, it starts depth. But, for a taster and a riveting outing for all and installation with a shadow puppet show. In it, a group of our ages, the First Europeans of Tautavel beckon… of shading and styling for homes & ancestors is shown removing the meat from a businesses with over 1,000 styles and deer killed by a sabre tooth tiger, illuminated by colours to choose from. the fire of an erupting volcano the ashes of which will smother them and leave us a record of their We have an unrivalled range of solutions passing. to protect you from the heat, sun, rain, wind, Through Italy, France and Spain we follow him fl ies and mosquitoes. in a series of 3 dimensional optical plays, in a large tactile virtual book and on a touch screen scanner Conservatory Blinds Chain link curtains as he becomes a hunter, discovers fire, builds Window Shutters Awnings himself huts, comes to stay… Window Blinds Free design consultation Palais des Congrès de Tautavel 04.68.29.49.50 04 68 87 01 96 or 04 68 83 62 40 Avenue Anatole France [email protected] 2 Avenue Clemenceau, CERET or 2 Avenue de France, 66720 TAUTAVEL www.tautavel.com 40 www.torredemer.fr 41 TestyourFrench 1 - O Pour Opera! 3 - What’s new pussycat? The following French expressions all involve one of our favourite pets, the Match up these words, all beginning with O, with their definitions. (Why not try to work them out first without looking at their equivalents?)a oie pussycat. Can you find their meanings in English? On doit le faire 1 b orteils Contraire de neuf 2 Appeler un chat un chat 1 a The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree 3 c ombre À bon chat, bon rat 2 b To have other fish to fry Médecin qui soigne les yeux 4 d ongle Avoir d’autres chats à fouetter 3 c It tastes like dishwater Doigts des pieds e obligatoire Fleur parfumée 5 Avoir un chat dans la gorge 4 d Sweetie, poppet 6 f oursin C’est du pipi de chat 5 e To have a quick wash Gros oiseau au plumage blanc 7 g oculiste Les chiens ne font pas des chats 6 f There was no-one around Endroit qui n’est pas éclairé 8 h ortie Mon petit chat 7 g To give up (trying to guess) Partie dure à l’extrémité des doigts 9 I occasion Donner sa langue au chat 8 h Tit for tat Petit animal qui vit dans la mer J œillet Plante qui pique 10 Faire une toilette de chat 9 i To have a frog in your throat Il n’y avait pas un chat! 10 j To call a spade a spade Language tip A bit about bout Tout à l’heure - in a moment/a ‘Bout’ (pron boo) is another of those little Language tip Blague Bebête little while ago (depending on words with many meanings. It can be a bit, a Most words used to express quantity are piece, an end, a tip, a point, a stub……. and Deux pêcheurs, assis sur un tense) of course it has multiple useful expression to followed by de/d’ (invariable) poisson, se disputent: A tout à l’heure - see you later confuse and confound!! eg Donnez moi plus de chocolat et beaucoup de bonbons! L’un dit à l’autre Here are a few. assez (de) - enough « Ne me parles sur ce thon! » le bout du monde beaucoup (de) - a lot (thon – tuna : ton – tone) the middle of nowhere encore de - more Tongue twister (Virelangue) un bon bout de chemin moins (de) - less, fewer (Répetez trois fois) quite a long way pas mal de - quite a few peu (de) - few, little, not very Cinq chiens sortent seuls ce soir un bon bout de temps plus (de) - more quite a long time tant (de) - so much, so many à bout de bras trop (de) - too much, too many at arm’s length à bout de forces exhausted, worn out 2 - Trouvez la bonne à bout de souffle définition out of breath au bout du fil Isabelle & Christophe Cô - Agence des Albères 1. piste 3. ortie .4. bûche on the other end of the telephone a) drunk a) nettle a) mouth Comprehensive “Top-Up” Health Insurance b) ski run, track b) big toe b) butcher du bout des lèvres No medical questionnaire required c) glue stick c) should do c) log on the tip of the tongue Assurance Vie - savings plans (in Scottish) jusqu’au bout Up to 30% discount 2. gorgée 5. dalle right to the end with this advert Car Insurance Worldwide Travel Pet Insurance a) mouthful a) dawdle Home Insurance Insurance Internet Banking montrer le bout de son nez b) overeat b) valley BP 7, 84 Avenue des Albères c) stuff c) paving stone to show one’s face 04 68 89 72 75 66740 Saint Genis des Fontaines [email protected] Ample free parking 42 For advice in English & details of special offers & promotions speak to Christophe ORIAS No 0701386 et 07013871 43 TestyourFrench Le policier et le musicien Vouloir – to wish or to want 4 - Vouloir is one of the most common 5 Match up these idiomatic sayings Use the words at the bottom to fill in the blanks. irregular French verbs, with loads of useful Careful! A couple of red herrings have snuck in! phrases worth learning off by heart. Il y a quelque chose qui cloche. 1 a . It’s on the tip of my tongue. Je veux – I want 1 2 Quelle mouche t’a piqué? 2 Un ...... de police s’arrête ...... un Je voudrais – I would like to … b I coudnt resist! 3 Ca me reviendra. 3 musicien ...... dans le métro. J’aurais voulu – I would have liked to.. c He/she’s putting it on. 4 5 Motus et bouche cousue. 4 Avez-vous un ...... pour jouer ...... Je veux que tu fasses …. d He’s a real pain in the neck! l’accordéon ici ? I want you to do/make.. C’est un vrai casse-pieds. 5 e Heads or tails? Tel père, tel fils. 6 Non monsieur l’agent... Comme tu veux/vous voulez – f What’s bugging you? suit yourself c’est du cinéma. 7 Alors, accompagnez 6...... s’il vous plait ! g Like father, like son. Sans le vouloir – unintentionally Pile ou face? 8 h Something’s not quite right. Bien 7...... , monsieur l’agent ! 8...... voulez- Je t’en veux– I’m cross with you Je l’ai sur le bout de la langue. 9 I Mum’s the word. vous chanter ? Je ne t’en veux pas - No hard feelings J’ai craqué. 10 j It will come back to me. Je veux bien – yes please! a. agent, b. permis, c. moi, d. jouant, e. Quoi, f. Que, g. devant, h. joue, i. sûr, j. de Si vous le voulez bien - If you don’t mind

Useful expression Useful grammar Une Il est facile à vivre construction What the He’s easy to live with Venir de + infinitive – to have just done something devil...? blague bête Even more useful for the ladies je viens de manger – I have just eaten Comment s’appelle Il vient d’arriver – he has just arrived One of longest words in Il n’est pas facile à vivre!! the French dictionary - le frère de hexakosioihexekontahexaphobie Albert Einstein ? (29 letters) describes a fear Franck... Tailor made classes of the number 666. & lessons to suit all needs, levels & abilities 6 - These familiar words bide 1 a house Get back into French! Fed up and frustrated are used quite regularly charabia 2 b toilet/bog (v. impolite) Relaxed conversation classes because you can't say in French, and whilst not baraque 3 c car at Céret & Perpignan what you want to say? actually rude, they are toubib 4 d disgusting Setting up a business & need to Dread having to write indisputably slang. Can chiottes 5 e business/nightclub improve your French? letters in French? you find their meanings in bagnole 6 f face, mug English? With a range of flexible programs, intensive course and berk 7 g gobbledygook conversation classes we can help you overcome the 6 boîte 8 h ninny, bird brain language barrier and enjoy life in France to the full. tronche 9 i belly nunuche 10 j doctor For further details call Tracey on FREE TEST ONLINE 6 04 68 62 20 20 or 06 25 22 00 90 Conversation classes held at Test your french - answers

Café De France

6 - 1i 2g 3a 4j 5b 6c 7d 8e 9f 10h 9f 8e 7d 6c 5b 4j 3a 2g 1i - 6

21 bis, av du G. de Gaulle - Perpignan 6 10f 9e 8g 7d 6a 5c 4i 3b 2h 1j - 3

35 bd Mar Joffre, Ceret, 5 - 1h 2f 3j 4i 5d 6g 7c 8e 9a 10b 9a 8e 7c 6g 5d 4i 3j 2f 1h - 5 between the train station and FNAC 5c 4c 3a 2a 1b - 2 4 - 1a 2g 3d 4b 5j 6c 7i 8f 7i 6c 5j 4b 3d 2g 1a - 4

44 www.alfmed.com [email protected] 10h 9f 8d 7c 6a 5j 4b 3g 2i 1e - 1 45 AméliorezvotreAnglais

Trouvez l’équivalent en Français pour ces expressions idiomatiques Un peu d’argot... Trouvez la bonne traduction A daft joke. 1 - Advice is cheap 1 a elle a le don de la parole 3 - What do you call A little bird told me 2 b C’est un pince-sans-rire He’ll go ballistic 1 a Je suis écœuré an Igloo

She has the gift of the gab 3 c Il est fou I am cheesed off 2 b elle a du fric without

He has a screw loose 4 d C’est un moulin à paroles She’s a fit bird 3 c c’est une belle nana a toilet?

I can take it or leave it 5 e Coûte que coûte I’ll have a bash 4 d il sera furieux An Ig! (loo – mot poli He keeps a straight face 6 f C’est mon petit doigt qui me l’a dit. I am gutted 5 e c’est une blague g Il est à poil et familier pour They’re like chalk and cheese 7 It’s a wind-up 6 f j’en ai marre By hook or by crook 8 h Ils sont comme le jour et la nuit 7 g j’essaie de comprendre toilettes) He’s in his birthday suit 9 I Les conseilleurs ne sont pas les payeurs. I’m trying to suss it out I’ve screwed up 8 h j’ai foiré She can talk the hind legs off a donkey 10 j Cela ne me fait ni chaud ni froidI Je me couche I’m hitting the sack I 10 J je vais tenter ma chance She’s worth a few quid Reflexions Ne dites pas à votre Why is ‘abbreviation’ such a long word? ami(e)/partenaire qu’il/ Trouvez l’équivalent de ces mots qui sont si elle est ‘fat’. Different ways to say A very silly joke. 4 - proches…. et pourtant si différents. Dites lui qu’il est… a tarif Bill (restaurant or café) 1 plump ‘THANK YOU’ There are three kinds b frais Thanks a million Tip 2 chunky of people in this world c pourboire I’'m so grateful for what you’ve done - those who can count Fare 3 chubby 4 d amende How can I ever thank you? and those who can’t! Fine overweight 5 e facture porky I owe you one Bill (public services etc) Expenses 6 f addition tubby Thanks so much for your help Thanks for everything 5 - O - is for Opera Trouvez les définitions des mots suivants, qui commencent tous Trouvez l’équivalent en américain pour ces mots anglais avec la lettre O 2 - AMERICAN ENGLISH oak 1 a many times BRITISH ENGLISH b this shellfish might contain a pearl lorry 1 a sick oven 2 Virelangue often 3 c in the open air autumn 2 b yard (Répetez trois fois) opponent 4 d where fruit trees grow caravan 3 c truck e belonging to us Crispy coated crusts orchard 5 dustbin 4 d fall f animal that swims and eats fish crackle and crunch. oyster 6 pavement 5 e sidewalk owl 7 g large tree with hard wood.

condom 6 f gas outside 8 h someone on the opposite side petrol 7 g eraser ours 9 I a night bird garden 8 h trash can otter 10 j for cooking food

4 -1f 2c 3a 4d 5e 6b 5e 4d 3a 2c -1f 4

ill 9 i trailer 10g 9a 8b 7f 6j 5e 4h 3i 2d -1c 2

5 - 11g 2j 3a 4h 5d 6b 7i 8c 9e 10f 9e 8c 7i 6b 5d 4h 3a 2j 11g - 5 3 -1d 2f 3c 4j 5a 6e 7g 8h 9i 10b 9i 8h 7g 6e 5a 4j 3c 2f -1d 3 10d 9g 8e 7h 6b 5j 4c 3a 2f 1i 1- 46 rubber (gomme) 10 j rubber 47

OvertheBorder... Reasons to visit 9Girona with The electrical experts! Girona has all the charm and feel of a bigger city but without the bustling crowds. It’s a perfect size for a day trip, an overnight or a weekend break. During the TV, HiFi, Multimedia, day, stroll the ancient streets of the old city and La Domestic Appliances. Rambla, visit the Cathedral, browse the shops on the streets around the Carrer de Santa Clara, or have tapas Supply and installation in one of the many fine restaurants on the magnificent Plaça de la Independencia. of TV aerials and satellite Southern French towns and cities are typically very dishes quiet after 8pm but Girona comes alive in the evening to a cacophony of the sounds of people socialising and enjoying themselves. Steeped in Catalan culture and Speed radar detectors traditions, Girona has plenty to offer at night with a very now in stock active theatre, lots of festivals throughout the year and busy bars, restaurants and cafes. All installations, repairs & after sales Did you know? • There are 6 museums in Girona city services are carried out by our • Girona has 2 of the world’s top 10 restaurants and 6 own team of experienced, English in the top 100 • Tuesday and Saturday are market days in Girona with speaking technicians a fantastic mix of locally produced Catalan food and Operating instructions fully explained in English exotic fare • Girona’s famous cathedral took 7 centuries to Unrivalled range of all leading brands at the very best prices construct. As well as offering unbeatable fares, Frogbus has teamed up with several hotels in Girona to offer incredible travel and accommodation packages. Check out the Facebook.com/frogbus page for details. Hop between Girona city & Le Boulou/Perpignan with Frogbus for ONLY €9 return** (**Adult day return, over 65’s and students anytime return) Don’t Forget! Frogbus continues to serve Girona airport and has recently added routes to Andorra from Barcelona, Toulouse and Girona

04 68 83 19 62 [email protected] 48 Zone commerciale E. Leclerc 66160 Le Boulou 49 P-OLife... Origins of ‘Mascot’ French composer Edmond Audran your way it's extremely up close and personal. The pace was wrote hit operetta, La Mascotte in 1880, fast and furious throughout with plenty of crunch moments Did you know about farm girl Bettina who brought that left you wondering how on earth the human frame can Did you know that the “Tonka” good luck to all around her, as long survive the full-on impact of 110 kilos of muscle, bone and for toy that whizzes on with the Tees as she remained a virgin. The title all I know, granite. is a replica of the Citroen driven by Sébastien Loeb - World Rally Driving was taken from Provençal slang word A novelty for us first-timers was the funky-coloured, electric ‘masco’, meaning witch. "Tonka" model car that appears regularly on the scene, Champion? As the show grew in popularity, the buzzing along at breakneck speed to deliver the "teeing-up" word was adopted around Europe to thingy used for the goal kick, apparently called, um ..... a tee. describe a person or object which Reflecting the experience on our way home I felt that brings good fortune. despite knowing probably less than a quarter of what's necessary to fully appreciate the game I still came away with a sense of having had a great afternoon's entertainment - and at 17 Euros, (3 Euros for kids) pretty good value too. If you fancy giving it a go, check out the website below for details of their next home game. Old hands and rugby virgins alike will all be welcomed. with Simon Newman www.catalandragons.com or www.bbc.co.uk/sport (go to Rugby League and you'll find The Basics uder Laws and Virgins and Dragons Equipment.)

Knowing almost nothing about rugby I did the Brutus in Perpignan to see the Dragons's return sensible thing before going along to see my match against the Leeds Rhinos. Did I enjoy it? You first Catalan Dragons match, by asking a friend bet. Did it matter that I didn't know enough about who did. the rules? Not a bit. After explaining that the Dragons are League, For starters, the atmosphere was brilliant. Packed not Union, and the games are completely different, stadium, a friendly, expectant buzz and nary a he went on to talk about schisms, codes, rucks hint of boorish behaviour from start to finish. Fans and mauls. I listened patiently, nodding every now were aged by my rough estimation to be between and then as if I knew what any of that meant. Then 2 and 82, and I'd say there was a 70% male 30% I turned to the Internet, where I found the BBC female make-up to the crowd. And near to us I CATALANS DRAGONS Sport‚ ‘The Basics of Rugby League,” a step-by-step even spotted (keep in mind we were standing in guide that assumes no prior knowledge. If you the terraces having booked too late for seats) a are a complete rugby virgin like me then I cannot young couple holding a babe in arms. Pounding recommend this site highly enough. It even starts rock music preceded the introduction of the teams with the priceless line, "The aim of the game is to (Queen's "We Will Rock You" - cheesy maybe, but score more points than the other side." Now that’s spot-on for the occasion) with star-spangled cheer- my kind of explanation. leaders strutting their stuff all around the stadium. So, with a tenuous grasp of the basic rules and One advantage of the terrace is that even though the scoring system, I went along with a couple safely ensconced behind a barrier, you're practically of (similarly first-time) friends to the Stade Gilbert on the touchline so when the action does comes 50 Tickets from 10 euros available on www.catalansdragons.com 51 P-OLife...

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Le Moine, le Moineau moine – monk Off the Radar “If you have the TomTom Speed Camera entend - hears From January 4th, 2012, both sat navs and service on your device, you are breaking et le Renard pépiement – chirp, tweet smart phones which warn of speed camera the law if you continue to receive the speed Un moine tibétain marche sur une route par terre – around him locations are illegal in France, and offenders camera warnings and you risk getting a fine. glacée de montagne et entend un faible pépiement. moineau – sparrow face a fine of €1500. Disable Speed Camera alerts for France on Il voit par terre un tout petit moineau a moitié mort de à moitié mort – half dead In fact, it is illegal to have an “avertisseur your device. froid. Il le prend et le réchauffe dans ses mains. réchauffe – warms couvent – convent de radar” in your car, even if you are not Update your device with the latest “Que faire?”, se dit-il “Si je le garde avec moi au protéger– to protect using it. Cars that have a fitted GPS giving Speed Cameras. This will remove the Speed couvent le chat le mangera. Si je le laisse ici, il va mourir gel - frost advanced warning of speed cameras.should Cameras for France from your device.” de froid.” l’oisillon - fledgling have the GPS updated with a new map This will also make a few extra quid for Soudain une idée lui vient. Pour le protéger du gel, il bouse fumante which does not show ‘radars’ SatNav sellers! place l’oisillon dans une bouse fumante de vache sacrée, l’âme - soul According to the Tom Tom website et continue sa route, l’âme en paix. réchauffe – warms up L’oisillon se réchauffe et commence a chanter à plein renard - fox croque - eats

gosier sa joie d’être encore vivant. VOCAB moralité - moral Un renard qui passe par la, entend la bouse de vache celui qui – he who Exchanging your UK Driving licence chanter. Intrigué, il s’approche, découvre notre moineau, te met – puts you for a French ‘permis de conduire’ et le croque. forcement – necessarily Did you know that the UK Licence has an Les moralités : Celui qui te met dans la merde ne te t’en sort – gets you out expiry date? As the DVLA in the UK do not allow veut pas forcement du mal. foreign addresses on UK licences, if you are near Celui qui t’en sort ne te veut pas forcément du bien. the expiry date, it may well be a good time to exchange your driving licence for a French one if you are a resident of France. It is a free service, surprisingly easy (those of us who wrestle regularly with the French admin system will know Having a Calling 08 numbers from France exactly why I use the term ‘surprisingly’) and break down? You may have noticed how difficult (and costly) can be done at the mairie, prefecture or police In 2011, the price for breakdown services it is to call 08 numbers in Britain, from France. If you municipale. (repairing on site or towing away) on are with France Telecom, you are able to do this by motorways and dual carriageways went up changing the 00 44 + number to 80 44 + number. from 114,50 euros to 117 euros for vehicles Many other telephone companies do not offer this weighing less than 3,5 tons. This is a set price service, so it is worth trying to find an alternative charged by approved garages. Fifty per cent number. Try the site SayNoTo0870.com which has a Compulsory Car Blow Job will be added to that price if the callout is large database of alternative company numbers. @ From July 1st, drivers in France must between 6pm and 6am, weekend or bank carry a breathalyser kit (éthylotest) in holiday. And within France……. their car to enable them to check their ….watch out for telephone numbers beginning Not sure how to alcohol levels, or face fines of up to 17 with “08”. Some may be free, some cheap, others read out your euros. expensive. MORE ON THIS IN THE NEXT ISSUE email address. Research has shown that alcohol @ = arobas (arrowbass) is the biggest cause of road deaths in dot = point (pwan) France. The legal limit is 0.5 grams per litre. 54 55 P-OLife... Absolutely Almost All you need to know about the Pyrénées Orientales How to write a french cheque CUT OUT AND KEEP IN CHEQUE BOOK Absolutely Almost All You Need to Know Collioure from A to Z -An eclectic mixture of It’s not rocket science, but it can be quite confusing, particularly as the about the Pyrenees-Orientales. 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A tale of et 50 cents € sex, love, commitment, fidelity à Mr Bill Bloggs 1200,50 and family played out against A LE a backdrop of windswept Payable en France Perpignan 01/01/2011 Address of bank here PO-Life Cornish beaches, deepest 66000 PERPIGNAN 66480 Gloucestershire countryside and TEL: 04 55 55 55 55 MAUREILLAS LAS ILLAS the Mediterranean sunshine of BBlogs the French Pyrenees. - 06993565 06540555041546 00015265465466 www.amazon.co.uk Place cheque written Date Signature (doesn’t have to be accurate) Cancer Support France Sud de France (11,09,66) The numbers Supporting those whose lives 0 zéro 16 seize 74 soixante-quatorze 90 quatre-vingt-dix 1,000 mille 1 une 17 dix-sept 75 soixante-quinze 91 quatre-vingt-onze 2,000 deux mille have been touched by cancer 2 deux 18 dix-huit 76 soixante-seize 92 quatre-vingt-douze 10,498 dix mille quatre cent 3 trois 19 dix-neuf 77 soixante-dix-sept 93 quatre-vingt-treize quatre-vingt-dix-huit DROP IN FOR COFFEE AND BISCuITS. TWICE MONTHLY informal 4 quatre 20 vingt 78 soixante-dix-huit 94 quatre-vingt-quatorze 1,000,000 un million Drop In Groups with Book Exchange in Céret & Prades. 5 cinq 21 vingt et un 79 soixante-dix-neuf 95 quatre-vingt-quinze a billion un milliard CancerCELEBRATE Support SPRING at ourFrance A warm welcome awaits everyone regardless of nationality 6 six 22 vingt-deux 80 quatre-vingts 96 quatre-vingt-seize 7 sept 23 vingt-trois 81 quatre-vingt-un SEED and PLANT BRING 97 quatre-vingt-dix-sept If you need numbers higher Sud de France (11,09,66) CÉRET : Pablo’s Bar, Place Picasso PRADES : Café Alchimie Rue Hospice 8 huit 30 trente 82 quatre-vingt-deux 98 quatre-vingt-dix-huit that this, please give us a and BUY SALE 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month 9 neuf 40 quarante 83 quatre-vingt-trois 99 quatre-vingt-dix-neuf call. We’d love to meet you! between 10am and 12 noon between 3pm and 5pm 10 dix 50 cinquante 84 quatre-vingt-quatre 100 cent Wednesday 4th April : For further details or to fi nd out how you can help “Cancer Support France – 11 onze 60 soixante 85 quatre-vingt-cinq 101 cent un 10am to 12 noon at Sud de France” or how we can support you and those close to you - contact: 12 douze 70 soixante-dix 86 quatre-vingt-six 125 cent vingt-cinq Pablo’s Bar Céret 13 treize 71 soixante et onze 87 quatre-vingt-sept 200 deux cents Penny on 04 68 38 81 28 Maggie on 04 68 96 55 46 14 quatorze 72 soixante-douze 88 quatre-vingt-huit 201 deux cent un Thursday 5th April : OR [email protected] [email protected] 15 quinze 73 soixante-treize 89 quatre-vingt-neuf 243 deux cent quarante-trois 3pm to 5pm at Café Alchimie Prades www.cancersupportfrance.org 56 CSF - Sud de France (11,09,66) Association no. W 112000594 57 P-OLife... Project & Building P-O Life can be found at Who to contact the following main in an Emergency Management distribution points. Experienced, registered, All main tourist offices SAMU (medical emergency) 15 bilingual project manager Palais des Congrès Police emergency 17 Fire service emergency 18 From concept to completion - new Argelès: Carrefour, Café Noisette builds, extensions, renovations, Le Boulou: Expert, Leclerc, Intermarché European emergency line 112 restorations or conversions . Qualifi ed Electrician Canet: Château Esparrou, Hyper Casino SOS Doctor 24/24 08 20 20 41 42 Emergency repairs Standard upgrades If you are planning a project call Cabestany: Asia Center , Mas Guerido Emergency vet 04 68 55 55 83 Anti-poison centre 04 91 75 25 25 Security check Air conditioning Samantha Stokes Céret: Intermarché, Carrefour Market, Wiring & rewiring Renewable energies Bar Au Bon Coin, Real Estates - see p64, Perpignan hospital 04 68 61 66 33 06 14 38 10 29 Allianz - Céret - see p53 CPAM (English spk serv) 0811 36 36 46 Free estimates, meticulous worker. [email protected] Collioure: Château Royal Cancer support France 04 68 69 01 37 English spoken Elne: Champion Directory enquiries 118 008 Please call Stéphane: Ille sur Têt: Carrefour Market International directory enquiries 118 700 Siret: 485 131 577 Siret: Ensuring your property Laroque: Carrefour Market, 06 13 24 87 47 International Mastercard 08 00 90 13 87 Throughout the region [email protected] dreams become a reality. Café des Artistes Perpignan: Leroy Merlin, Loft Café Local weather forecast 08 36 68 02 66 : Intermarché GDF (gas problems) 08 10 43 30 66 Prades: Super U, Intermarché EDF (electricity problems) 05 56 17 40 70 Pyrénées 2000: Casino Supermarket For all things Property in Dept 66 ! Thuir: Champion You can use the The European emergency number 112 in any www.lesjoursheureux66.com EU country from any telephone. You do not need a card or Property Sales Many of our advertisers also stock P-O Life, money to ring this number from a pay phone. 112 may also Management & Holiday rentals contact me : so remember to pick up a copy the next time be used from a mobile to connect you with all emergency Ruby Laura Goold you’re in their shop, office or restaurant... services. All year round maintenance service 06 38 73 15 62

• Not sure where to start ? Based in  uir d v g property consultants • Trying to manage your project from overseas? TêteEnglish Speaking à MobileTêt Hairdresser Whether you’re looking to build a new • Problems with the house, refurbish a derelict rural mas or language barrier ? Let the salon come to you! modernise a townhouse, we are here to help Fully quali ed hairstylist for and guide you through from start to fi nish. Call today or see our website to fi nd out more Ladies, Gents & Children Appointments can be made Mob: 06 84 53 12 03 To make an Tuesday, ursday & Friday Tel: 04 68 55 86 80 appointment call Kay on [email protected] 9am -12 noon, 2pm- 6pm Saturday 9am to 1pm specialists in property development and project management www.dvgpropertyconsultants.com 06 71 32 90 56 58 59 Englishspeakingservices...

Accountants Education & Translation Health & Well Being AT & Associés...... 04 68 66 06 06 Alfmed - Perpignan & Céret...... 04 68 62 20 20 Elements ...... 06 42 94 25 79 English speaking accountants English beauty & Spa Therapist...... Ceret Carole Howarth - Perpignan...... Roofing ...... 06 01 93 55 04 Perpignan Chiropratique ...... 06.01.75.97.98 Architects Scaffolding Language training- [email protected] Christian Labau - English speaking Chiropractor Ari Hantke Architecture ...... 06 74 81 11 43 Carole Cassoly - admin help / translation Vincent F...... 06 37 05 85 78 Heavy Structural Building Prades area - [email protected]...... 06 11 44 15 95 www.vincent-f.com ...... Personalised exercise in your home & Renovation Works Arts & Crafts Supplies Louise Sayers - Med & Mountain...... 04 68 56 54 22 Tricot Créations ...... 04 68 51 80 46 Registered & Insured Translation & administrative service ...... 06 20 03 54 46 Hearing Tests All things arts, crafts, sewing & knitting ....www.tricot-creations.com [email protected] PromoLangues - Céret ...... 04 68 87 48 10 Optique CIote Vermeille...... 04 68 85 12 92 English speaking hearing tests ...... Port Vendre Roussilangues- French Classes - Bélesta, Estagel, Ille-sur-Têt B & B - Hotels +33 (0)4 68 98 03 24 www.roussilangues.com ...... 06 76 22 49 50 or 09 62 58 05 41 Le Château de Riell ****...... 04 68 05 40 40 hussellbuilding.com Heating & Insulation Molitg Les Bains ...... www.chateauderiell.com Estate Agencies La Gaieté du Feu...... 04 68 54 13 13 Stove specialists Le Grand Hotel ***...... 04 68 05 00 50 SARL Roussillon Developpements ...... 04 68 96 08 01 Canigou Country Molitg Les Bains...... www.grandhotelmolitg.com English-builders-66.com Fiona Beazley ...... 06 77 74 47 15 Home & Decoration Mouli del Riu...... 04 68 04 15 30 Tryba Doors, windows, conservatories...... 04 68 550505 Med & Mountain Properties ...... 04 68 56 54 22 B&B & year round activity holidays www.medandmountain.com Aubergine ...... 06 25 18 18 10 made to measure curtains, upholstery Pyrenean Trails - Les Angles ...... 04 68 04 37 28 Catteries & Kennels P.O. Property Shop...... 06 60 36 25 20 [email protected] B&B, Gites & Mountain guide Le Palais Des Chats...... 04 68 96 40 80 Mike & Jenny Rhodes ...... [email protected] www.lepalaisdeschats.com...... 06 16 60 37 15 REAL Estates...... 04 68 83 19 50 Torredemer ...... 04 68 87 01 96 www.real-estates.fr Shutters / blinds British Produce Chimney Sweep Garages & Car Mechanics Insurance The Asia Center Mas Guerido ...... 04 68 67 59 07 Fabrice Delpech...... 04 68 63 51 79 Fully insured service throughout the PO ...... 06 86 12 54 58 John Bret...... 06 22 95 94 49 Allianz Céret...... 06 43 80 73 51 English speaking mechanic - All makes/models. Prades area Building & Renovation R.Estebe-Rigall...... [email protected] Cleaning Services Garden Services Regine Estebe Rigall and her Angie Nettoyage...... 04 34 10 29 06 team, off ers expert advice to Home & office cleaning...... 06 34 64 22 70 or 2G Paysage ...... 06 12 99 25 52 meet your individual needs. gardens ANGIE NETTOYAGE Garden Services ...... 06 3468 1619 Car, motor home, Assurance Vie – boat, motorbike... Savings Plans Domestic & Commercial Cleaning throughout PO - [email protected] La Main Vert...... 06 77 03 04 46 Home & Contents Worldwide Travel Weekly home cleaning Insurance Insurance Est. 24 Years Spring cleaning Gardening, Landscaping & Tree felling throughout the PO One off “Blitz” TPM - Maureillas...... 06 75 46 93 65 Business Health Registered in France Offi ce cleaning Insurance Insurance www.tpm66.com We speak Repairs & Restoration Window cleaning Ironing & Laundry MSB Property Services...... 04 68 51 80 46 or 06 43 22 86 15 Holiday lets 04 68 87 00 84 04 68 95 62 49 | 06 45 38 82 88 28 Place de la Liberté, 66400 Céret You‛ll be swept away by our service! Gift Ideas Ample free parking nearby No ORIAS: 070222237 [email protected] Call Angie on: 06 34 64 22 70 or Aubergine...... 06 25 18 18 10 Soft furnishing, curtains, upholstery& unique gifts Allianz -Prades, Vernet, Rivesaltes...... 04 68 96 31 50 Done & Dusted ...... 04 68 84 55 36 04 34 10 29 06 www.allianz.fr/charcos [email protected] Créatif Impression...... 06 31 52 99 71 Ian Rye - builder - Elne ...... 04 68 39 75 45 Photos printed onto canvass AVIVA ...... Prades 04 68 96 38 73 [email protected] .Céret 04 68 87 04 83 Tricot Créations ...... 04 68 51 80 46 Jamie Price...... 04 68 94 62 49 Computer Help & Maintenance All things arts, crafts, sewing & knitting ....www.tricot-creations.com AXA Insurance Collioure ...... 04 68 82 06 01 Building and Renovation...... 06 45 38 82 88 Patrick Boyle...... 04 68 87 17 35 AXA - St Génis - Cô...... 04 68 89 72 75 P.O. Interiors ...... 06 72 42 07 04 Broadband installation, repairs, upgrades, advice www.les-alberes.net/ Hair & Beauty Renovation, refurbishment and carpentry systems/ Elements ...... 06 42 94 25 79 Hussell Building...... 04 68 98 03 24 English beauty & Spa Therapist...... Ceret www.hussellbuilding.com Drain Clearance Sam’s Salon ...... 04 68 29 78 74 MSB Property Services...... 04 68 51 80 46 www.msbpropertyservices.com...... 06 09 61 58 33 Tête à Têt - Call Kay...... 06 71 32 90 560 Mobile hairdresser 60 61 Englishspeakingservices...

Opticians Plumbers & Electricians Property & Project Management continued Sky TV Installation Port-Vendres ...... 04 68 85 12 92 Languedoc Electrics...... 04 68 42 37 97 British TV in France...... 04 68 69 83 76 Robert Morley ...... 02 97 93 07 48 06.82.10.55.35 ...... www.british-tv-in-france.co.uk PTIQUE –AUDITION www.morleyrenovation.eu...... 06 80 34 45 17 For owners of Skydigi...... 04 68 87 18 30 Second Homes: CÔTE VERMEILLE Electrical | Bathrooms in the Perpignan Kitchens | Tiling | Air Con and Coastal Opticians and Hearing Test Centre areas English Spoken • Property Management • Pool & Garden First Examination Free & Maintenance Maintenance Unrivalled range of frames • Key Holding • Handyman Services Feel free to call Alan on: Hearing aids & accessories – free trials available 06 80 34 45 17 +33 (0)6.33.06.51.55 04 68 85 12 92 11 Bis Quai Forgas 02 97 93 07 48 [email protected] PORT VENDRES [email protected] Pest Control www.morleyrenovation.eu Removals Fabrice Delpech...... 06 86 12 54 58 Van with human ...... 06 3468 1619 Fast elimination of unwanted guests ...... 04 68 63 51 79! throughout PO - [email protected] VNelec - Stephan ...... 06 13 24 87 47 Transport Places of Worship Walter v.d. Hoogen ...... 06 25 24 00 81 Britannia Sandersteads Frogbus ...... www.frogbus.com English & Dutch speaking Electrician 00 44 (0)208 669 6688 Perpicat...... 04 68 80 69 98 Anglican Church www.perpicat.com Vernet-Les-BainS Print & Design Fortnightly around France Blyth Spirit ...... www.blyth-spirit.com Free quotes Website Design & Hosting Websites, brochures, flyers, Signs & Vehicle graphics 04 68 96 24 58 Blyth Spirit ...... 04 68 05 86 71 Service Every Sunday at 10am Restaurants & Bars Websites of all size and complexity...... www.blyth-spirit.com We look forward to seeing you Property & Project Management Auberge des Albères...... 04 68 89 88 38 ...... www.auberge-des-alberes.com Wine & Beer Home, Pool and Chez Pujols...... 04 68 82 01 39 V&B - Mas Guerido...... 04 68 86 36 68 Riverchurch Garden Maintenance. Port Vendres ...... www.chezpujol.com .Wine & Beer Cave & Bar Fully registered man, Le Château de Riell ****...... 04 68 05 04 40 04 68 64 97 09 with a van that can! Molitg Les Bains ...... www.chateauderiell.com Woodworm & Termite Treatment International English Pool cleaning & testing, Le Grand Hotel *** ...... 04 68 05 00 50 speaking church covers supplied & fi tted Molitg Les Bains ...... www.grandhotelmolitg.com Garden clearing, Woodworm, Termite & Pest Control www.riverchurch.com (All services available all maintenance & tidying LE TRÉMAIL ...... 04 68 82 16 10 year round) Wood Preservation & Treatment General handy work & repairs Collioure ...... www.restaurant-letremail.fr Pools Drain Clearance Loft cafe – Perpignan ...... 04 68 66 88 74 Safe, eff ective elimination & treatment of all TPM...... 06 75 46 93 65 Contact Mark on manner of unwelcome bugs, insects and vermin. Tel/Fax 04 68 51 80 46 or 06 43 22 86 15 [email protected] Surveyors cleaning, maintenance, accessories Email: [email protected] To get rid of unwanted guests No Siret 479 317 620 00025 fast call Fabrice MSB Property Services...... 04 68 51 80 46 or 06 43 22 86 15 English Speaking Property Surveyor APS - [email protected]...... 06 80 88 80 72 Buying, Selling or Renting a Property? 06 86 12 54 58 Keyholding,Cleaning,Maintenance 04 68 63 51 79 Eve solution...... 06 70 70 62 10 We provide all diagnostic reports necessary Termites & parasites Fully registered and insured Port-Vendres ADVERTISE IN to ensure a smooth completion: Damp English Spoken Les Jours Heureux 66...... 06 38 73 15 62 Lead OUR DIRECTORY Property management & marketing For expert, independent Electricity & gas Charities From ONLY 90 EUROS (HT) advice call Nicolas on Samantha Stokes...... 06 14 38 10 29 safety Project & Building Management Les Restos du Coeur ...... 04 68 85 04 53 per year - contact Michelle on 04 68 57 82 68 Asbestos Provides food packages & free meals to the poor & homeless, organised 06 12 22 23 70 or email TPM - Maureillas...... 06 75 46 93 65 06 86 03 06 82 Energy performance & served up by volunteers. email: [email protected] www.tpm66.com [email protected] Emmaus...... 04 68 54 59 60 62 [email protected] www.dei-expertises.com Donate any unwanted items fr.gaiadir.com/emmaus-pollestres 63 Properties of charm throughout the Roussillon

Our Property Gallery is open Monday to Saturday 9am to 6pm, Sundays and Bank Holidays by appointment We look forward to welcoming you.

Amélie les Bains Palalda: South-facing village house in picturesque medieval village with stunning views overlooking the river Tech. Independent studio apartment with terrace. Excellent rental potential. Energy rating: C. Ref 572 208.000€

Céret: Renovated family home in a countryside setting. Large lounge & dining area opens on to the wisteria-covered terrace and garden beyond. Established Garden with terraced pool and pond. Energy rating: C. Ref 569 580.000€

Montesquieu des Albères: Modern home with all mod-cons within walking distance of the village. 1 hectare garden with a large swimming pool and numerous terraces. Independent guest accommodation. Energy rating: B. Ref 570 885.000€

If you are looking to buy or sell a property contact:

Real Estates SARL +33 (0)4.68.56.94.54 1 Place de la République www.real-estates.fr 66400 Céret [email protected] Carte Professionnelle: 66-2010-30-T • Caisse de garantie: QBE France 110.000 euros