Spacious 3 Bedroom Villa with Sea Views in Fitou, Languedoc - Villa Saureto

Local Attractions

The region enjoys more sunshine than any other in France. Located in the Corbière foothills of the Pyrénées, our holiday villa is 1 km from the village centre, with its many wine ‘caves’ and Xth century chateau; and just a few kms from extensive sandy beaches.

This is Cathar country, bordering Catalonia - wild, rugged, exciting, and full of history; the scene of many ancient Franco-Spanish wars, and of conflicts between Cathars and Catholics. Castles, once destroyed, were rebuilt as defences against the Cathars and Aragonese forces; some only to be destroyed again during later Protestant and Catholic wars.

The old Spanish border forte of Salses is within 10-15 mins and the current border 45 mins.

This coastal region offers beautiful Mediterranean beaches within 10-15 mins of the villa, nearby mountainous terrain, wind-surfing lakes and coastline, great restaurants, opportunities for wine-tasting, hill-walking, mountain-biking, horse-riding, painting, and exploration of the breath-taking Cathar castle sites.

Our villa on the French Mediterranean is convenient for exploring the fortified city of Carcassonne, Canal du Midi, historic Perpignan, the old port of Collioure , the Pyrénées, as well as cross-border day trips to Barcelona and Andorra.

Fitou in the Lanquedoc-Roussillon region, borders the Pyrénées Orientales, in the southern-most corner of the South of France, just a few kms (10-15 mins) from the Mediterranean and its extensive sandy beaches, and an hour and a half from Spain's Costa Brava.

Amenities in Fitou village
Fitou has a small supermarket, launderette, surgery, bar/tabac, village shop, boulangerie, pizzeria and several very good restaurants.

There are many wine-tasting 'caves' within walking distance! Enjoy the heady atmosphere in Fitou and nearby villages during the 'vendage' (grape harvest) in the Autumn, or the Fitou Wine Festival, held over two days in late July or early August (check dates with the Fitou tourist office).

The 10th century chateau, within comfortable walking distance, has a bar and a children's museum and a terrace with spectacular sea views.

It takes 10-15 minutes to walk into the village and 20 minutes to walk back, uphill; so you need not feel guilty when buying croissants!

Leucate
Nearby Leucate (within 15 minutes) offers an abundance of good restaurants, a few bars, tabacs and all the usual amenities of a medium-sized Mediterranean village in the South of France.

Spectacular!! The Soly y Fiesta is usually held in Leucate towards the end of May.

At Leucate Plage, a couple of kilometres beyond the village, you will find extensive sandy beaches, some beachside bars and restaurants.

At Port Leucate, 'Les Terraces' night club/disco is open evenings all week during July and August

Lake Leucate (a salt lagoon), separated from the Mediterranean Sea by only a narrow strip of land with extensive sandy beaches and is famed for its oysters. It also provides a great site for windsurfing enthusiasts. Equipment can be hired locally, but if you have your own it will save costs - and you can store it in the garage at the villa.

Leucate railway station is reached within 10-12 minutes, and is on the main line between Narbonne and Perpignan, if you fancy a rest from driving.

Port Leucate and Port Bacarès
Port Leucate and Port Bacarès, 15 and 20 minutes from the villa, offer more sandy beaches, plenty of sailing and wind-surfing facilities, bars, a water park, night clubs/discos and numerous restaurants.

A bus runs from Fitou (near the villa site) to Port Leucate, including a late return in high summer.

Narbonne and Perpignan
For shopaholics seeking chique French fashions, Narbonne and Perpignan, each reached within ½ hour, offer a wide range of quality merchandise, and regular markets. Out-of-town shopping centres are found en route, just off the N9 and A9. Perpignan has a very strong rugby club, reached within 30 minutes. A link to the club's website can be found on our Travel page.

Carcasonne
Carcassonne (45 minutes) is a must. Transport yourself back in time; take lunch under the trees and around the walls of this spectacular fortified city, walk the cobbled streets , and absorb the atmosphere. Check with the tourist office for concerts and festivals. Its a regular stage destination for the Tour de France.

Collioure
Forty-five minutes drive South will take you to Collioure, close to the Spanish border. This very attractive small town, with its backdrop of the Albères mountain range, and narrow alleyways with craft shops and bistros, has its fortified church built almost in the sea. Here you can lunch on seafood delicacies, and enjoy a glass or two in one of the beachside brasseries. Collioure has attracted visitors and residents such as Braque, Matisse and Picasso. Many artists still frequent the town today.

Spain and Andorra
From here in the South of France you can drive to Barcelona in 2 hours ( 1.5 hrs to Barcelona Girona airport) or to tax-free Andorra in 3 hours. You can take a ride on the 'Little Yellow Train', which struggles up deep ravines, over sky-high viaducts and through spectacular mountain scenery not far from Andorra.

Golf
Saint-Cyprien, approximately 50 kms (31 miles) from Fitou, offers 27 holes over 2 courses (par 73) at Etang-Canigou on "links"; while nearby "La Forêt" offers a 9-hole course (par 35) in the heart of the forest. Tel: (0033)(0)4 68 37 63 63 Fax: (0033)(0)4 68 37 64 64. e-mail: contact@golf-st-cyprien.com


Visitor information - Links to tourist offices
The Travel section of this website provides further links to local tourist offices in the South of France


Breakfast, language lessons and more....
Would you like time off from self-catering, continental breakfast delivered to your door, or some provisions brought in? Do you need to brush up on your French, or start from scratch? Our local villa managers may be able to help with some of these, including on-line one-to-one tuition in French . These services are offered subject to availability and independantly of the villa rental contract; and can be arranged directly with our local villa manager. Contact details are available in the villa or can be supplied, in advance, on request.