I-Sem-Be Villa and Pool (click to enlarge)

Swimming Pool and view of the Pyrénées (click to enlarge)

Languedoc-
Roussillon Walking
Holidays List

Luxury Villa in Languedoc-Roussillon

Exclusive Villa with large swimming pool set in stunning surroundings between the mountains and the sea.
I-Sem-Be Villa near Céret, sleeps 7

This property, which is very competitively priced, is available for vacation rental all year round!

The medieval town of Céret is five minutes’ drive from the villa. The town has three supermarkets, as well as butchers, bakeries, fruit and vegetable sellers and some great cafés with plenty of outdoor tables. Céret's Saturday market is a regional attraction offering home made cheeses, cured meat, fresh oysters, Roussillon wine and fresh fruit and vegetables. There are a great variety of restaurants in Céret and within a 15-minute drive, ranging from pizzerias to Michelin-starred establishments. Some of the greatest modern artists, including Picasso, Chagall, and Braque, all lived in Céret in the early twentieth century, and the local Museum of Modern Art features their works.

I Sem Be is located amid some of the region’s most scenic hiking trails, ranging from beginner to advanced. Among the other activities available locally: a hang-gliding facility is close by; the sea is 30 minutes away, with sailing and windsurfing available; rugby is very popular in the region with matches happening frequently; and everyone, including tourists, play pétanque. The ski resorts of Les Angles, Font-Romeu and Andorra offer great winter sports. Attractions for children include a turtle park in Sorède, and wildlife parks in Sigean and Les Angles. July brings the Feria del Toros with bulls running through the narrow streets and bullfighting in the arena. In August, the big Sardane festival features traditional Catalan folk dancing. Concerts, including classical, jazz and pop take place throughout the year.

Just minutes from the Spanish border, Céret is located in the most southerly region of metropolitan France. The great medieval fortress of Carcassonne is an hour's drive. The town was a vital fortification of the “heretical” Cathar sect, which was brutally suppressed in the 13th century. Today, Carcassonne offers entertainment for all ages, including re-enactments of historic events including weddings and crossbowmanship in full costume. The finest restaurant in the precincts of the fortress has a Michelin Star.

The region has several restorative baths, which have been sought by travelers since ancient times. Amélie-les-Bains and Les Thermes du Boulou are 15 or 20 minutes drive, while the waters of St Thomas and Vernet-les-Bains are a bit more than an hour away. On the Spanish side of the border, it’s a half hour’s drive to Figuères, home of the Dali Museum. The towns of the bordering Spanish province of Gerona provide plenty to enjoy on a day trip, from gastronomy to spectacular mountain views. The vibrant city of Barcelona, a major tourist attraction, is a 2-hour drive, and is a good destination for direct flights from North America. The region enjoys warm Mediterranean winds and lots of sunshine; it is possible to dine out of doors almost all the time between May and October.

About our villa ( sleeps 7 )

I Sem Be means “Here one feels good” in the Catalan language. This single-story brick villa and separate studio were built in the 1970s in the Spanish Catalan style, with panoramic views of the medieval town of Céret, looking towards the Pyrénées.

The property is set in large private and secluded grounds, planted with a variety of trees and plants, with plenty of room to relax in the shade.

The 10x5 metre pool is surrounded by a terraced area, and enjoys the same combination of privacy with excellent views. The pool is visible from the living room window and the terrace outside the living room, so parents can easily watch their children.

Both the villa and the studio are rented together, and accommodate up to seven guests.

The villa has two bedrooms – a master bedroom with a queen size bed and an ensuite bathroom with a Jacuzzi, and another bedroom, also with an ensuite bathroom, with a double bed. The studio has a mezzanine with two single beds and a sofa bed in the living area.

In the villa, a large kitchen / living / dining area faces wide French doors with a view of mountains and valleys, admitting plenty of natural light. The open-plan American-style kitchen is fully equipped, while in the living area, a pair of sofas and two armchairs surround a television with video, a fireplace, and a walnut bookcase. The dining area has a table for eight, and all furnishings are solid wood.

The independent split level studio is a short distance from the main villa. The living area has a sofa bed, rattan sofa and armchair, and coffee table. The mezzanine area has two single beds, wardrobe and bathroom. From the living area, a large French door leads onto a private terrace with panoramic views, which takes in the magnificent 3000 metre Mt Canigou to the West, valleys and towns to the North, and the Mediterranean to the East.

The property enjoys great privacy, and is separated from the nearest neighbour by a few hundred metres of forest. The owners do not reside on site.

Prices and booking information

Prices in Euros per week

Price per week, from Saturday to Saturday

A deposit of 30% is required to reserve the property. Balance is due 6 weeks before start of holiday. A €500 euro damage deposit is due with the balance 6 weeks before start of holiday. Towels and linen are included.

We provide terms & conditions and a common sense rules documents to sign & return prior to rental.

Getting there

The property is half an hour's drive from both Perpignan and Gerona airports, to which Ryanair and ValueJet fly from London Stanstead and other European airports.

To reach the house from Girona Airport, take the autoroute A7 north to the French border, and then take the first exit in France No.43 (le Boulou). At the first round about turn right towards Céret, at the next roundabout at St. Jean Pla de Corts go left through the village, cross the Tech river, then the road runs through vinyards to a "T" junction (about 3.5 km). Turn right and 3.5 km later see the Céret sign on the right and on the left a sign for "Les Hauts de Céret”. Turn left and go straight over the mini-roundabout and follow the road as it turns up the hill for approximately 2 km and watch for the villa I Sem Be on the left, No.5 Avenue Edmond Puig. I will be there to greet you and give you the key.

The owners website can be viewed at http://geocities.com/villainroussillon

To make a booking or for further information, please contact the owners:

Ralph & Marie-Claire Barracano (Bilingual French-English)
30, Allée du Mirailles,
66400 Céret
France

Click here to email the owner

Tel/Fax: 04 68 87 14 85
International: +33 4 68 87 14 85
My cell phone is 0679123276.

When booking this property please mention Relax in France

Back to top of page