A walk through the vineyards to Collioure in South of France

What better way to spend a day in such a beautiful environment. Follow the hills through the vineyards down to the small Catalan village Collioure - ending maybe at a litte bar for a glass of the local wine on a fine sunny day.

2 photos stitched.

Under another photo from this path leading down to the city and the sea. In the back the little chapel of St Vincent - protector of the fishermen...

 

Hiking to Port-Vendres in South of France

Sentier du Littoral is a track taking you along the coast of Cote Vermeille in South of France. Here we are on our way to the Catalan village Port-Vendres a fine day in May.

The track offers splendid view as it follows the rugged coastline and is very popular to explore amongst visitors to this region by the foot of the Pyrenees.

Under: The madam keeps a hand to her cap to save it from blowing away in the Tramontane wind.

The Albino Peacocks in St Cyprien, South of France

They have a fine little park in St Cyprien called Jardin des plantes des Capellans where also some peacocks is residing. And the tale is that some of those are white as being Albinos.

Anyway a great sight as they play their great feathers as here....

Detail of a more common peacock. Regard the strong leg.

 

 

The Madam in a close meeting with the big peacock.

 

 

Detail of the beautiful feathers.

 

Catalan dance in Collioure, South of France II

The Catalan bounds are strong not only in Northern Spain - but also in the South of France.

The folklore group le Forment de Perpinya presented a formidable show a Sunday in May in the small village Collioure.

In the photo above you can see the very stylish dressed dance group in action.

While below pls. find two more photos of dancers in their fine costumes.

Catalan dance in Collioure, South of France

The Catalan bounds are strong not only in Northern Spain - but also in the South of France.
The folklore group le Forment de Perpinya presented a formidable show yesterday in the small village Collioure.

In this photos, above and under, you can see one of the young dancers in action.

 

The red and yellow Catalan flag is always in the wind where Catalans meets...

 

Bird view from Madeloc to Port-Vendres in South of France

From the summit of Madeloc you have a superb view over the Rousillon plain and the Cote Vermeille from Collioure to the Spanish border.

Here a bird view with all the vineyards downhill towards the deep water harbour in the small village Port-Vendres.

 

The madam, in the wind, on the hike to the Madeloc summit.

Chateau Royale in Collioure, South of France

Chateau Royale in Collioure, South of France

What a history this small town on the border to Spain can present. In the center through the centuries of ownership to Muslims, Spains, French and Catalan conquestores.

Maybe the most glorious periode for this castle was in the days when it was regarded as a summer palace for the king of Mallorca (In the Catlan periode). At the time when Collioure also was regarded as harbour town for the region center Perpignan.

After the middle of the 1600s it has been included in the French region Languedoc-Rousillon.

The castle is dividing the little town in two. This photo made a fine day in May is a stitch of 3 photos. (All PP in my ipad2).

This photo taken from the hills to Madeloc presents Collioure and the great sand beaches north of Collioure along the Rousillon coast

Heart to heart in South of France

Right outside Beziers you will find one of the best parkes in France: Jardin de Saint Andrien.

As a part of their season opening there was several activities going on including lots of people dressed up for a Venetzian Masquerade.

Below a woman in a traditional Venetian Masque.

This is 3rd submission in this series of people dressed as in a Venetian Masquerade this Sunday in May.

 

Venetian Masquerade in South of France II

Right outside Beziers you will find one of the best parkes in France: Jardin de Saint Andrien.

As a part of their season opening there was several activities going on including lots of people dressed up for a Venetzian Masquerade.

This is 2nd contribution in this series.

 

 

Venetzian Masquerade in South of France

 

Right outside Beziers you will find one of the best parkes in France: Jardin de Saint Andrien.

As a part of their season opening there was several activities going on including lots of people dressed up for a Venetzian Masquerade.

Not only in traditional dresses and masks but also hip dresses as displayed in those photos.

A happy fishing family in Besalu, Catalonia, Spain

Catalan weekend tour: Collioure - Ceret - Prats de Mollo La Preste

(all in French Catalonia. For the rest of the tour it will be: Spanish Catalonia ):

Molló - Camprodon - Castellfollit de La Roca - Besalu

and then back to Collioure.

 

Today: The medival village Besalu in Catalonia

From the old town Besalu by the river of Fluvia I present today a photo of a happy family by the shores of the river out fishing on this fine Sunday in May.

 

 

Find above a photo (2 stitched) of the old medieval bridge crossing the river Fluvia

 

From the net:

Besalú is a town in the comarca of Garrotxa, in Girona, Catalonia, Spain.

The town's importance was greater in the early Middle Ages, as capital of the county of Besalú, whose territory was roughly the same size as the current comarca of Garrotxa but sometime extended as far as Corbières, Aude, in France. Wilfred the Hairy, credited with the unification of Catalonia, was Count of Besalú. The town was also the birthplace of Raimon Vidal, a medieval troubadour.

Besalú was designated as a historical national property ("conjunt històric-artístic") in 1966. The town's most significant feature is its 12th-century Romanesque bridge over the Fluvià river, which features a gateway at its midpoint.

 

The medieval village on a cliff in Catalonia, Spain

Catalan weekend tour: Collioure - Ceret - Prats de Mollo La Preste

(all in French Catalonia. For the rest of the tour it will be: Spanish Catalonia ):

Molló - Camprodon - Castellfollit de La Roca - Besalu

and then back to Collioure.

 

Today: The medival village Castellfollit de la Roca

 

In this photo (2 photos stitched) you should look at the upper part where you can see how Castellfollit de la Roca is situated at the top of a 50m high basalt rock.

 

From The net:

Castellfollit de la Roca

Location in Catalonia

Coordinates: 42°13′17″N 2°33′3″E

Country Spain

Community Catalonia

Province Girona

Population (2009)

Website Official website

Castellfollit de la Roca is a municipality in the comarca of Garrotxa, in the province of Girona, Catalonia, Spain. The urban area is bordered by the confluence of the Fluvià and Toronell rivers, between which the town's basalt cliff rises.

The basalt cliff

The basalt crag where the town is situated is over 50 m high and almost a kilometre long. It was formed by the overlaying of two lava flows.

 

Also in this village you will find the Catalonian flag on many houses. Bringing hope that Catalonia soon will be a new state in Europe. The house in the photo was build in 1820.

 

A cobbled street in Castellfollit de la Roca

 

Another look to the medieval village at the basalt cliff

 

The Guardian by the medieval bridge in Camprodon, Catalonia / Spain

Catalan weekend tour: Collioure - Ceret - Prats de Mollo La Preste

(all in French Catalonia. For the rest of the tour it will be: Spanish Catalonia ):

Molló - Camprodon - Castellfollit de La Roca - Besalu

and then back to Collioure.

Today: The village Camprodon, Catalonia / Spain

Spot the old man who could be (for all I know) the Guardian by the old medieval bridge over the river who runs through the village Camprodon in Catalonia / Spain. (2 photos stitched)

The village was established almost a 1000 years ago in 1118 connected to the monestary Sant Pere du Camprodon.

Some more info of this bridge from another Flickr page:

The Medieval Pont Nou (New Bridge) is the landmark of the small town of Camprodon, in the foothills of the Catalan Pyrenees. It spans the river Ter, and is believed to date from the late 12th century, despite the fact that the dates sculpted on each of its two gates refer to the 16th and 17th centuries. It is also believed that there was an older bridge in the town, hence the name "New Bridge".

Above some locals from Camprodon in a friendly passiar

Hectic at the local Sunday market

Another view to the old medieval bridge in this Catalan village

Relaxed at the Pyrenean border between France and Spain in Catalonia

Catalan weekend tour: Collioure - Ceret - Prats de Mollo La Preste

(all in French Catalonia. For the rest of the tour it will be: Spanish Catalonia ):

Molló - Camprodon - Castellfollit de La Roca - Besalu

and then back to Collioure.

Today: Mollo a mountain village in the Pyrenees, Catalonia / Spain

Relaxed at the Pyrenean border between France and Spain in Catalonia

Just by the old custom point by Mont Falgars some people had found their place to enjoy the great vista down the slopes of the mountain side. Maybe reflecting of wheter the old place for toll and passcontrol will open again if Catalonia should be the new state in Europe.

(2 photos stitched)

On the way up from Prats the Mollo we took a look back to the French side of the Pyrenees - where clouds was rolling in - later to be rain and thunder on this day.

(2 photos stitched)

We stayed overnight in the very small mountain village Mollo in a popular hotel with good recommandations at i.e. tripadvisor and booking.com. 
Above the morning as seen from our balcony/room

(2 photos stitched)

Prats de Mollo La preste - a medival village in the South of France

Catalan weekend tour: Collioure - Ceret - Prats de Molle La Preste

(all in French Catalonia. For the rest of the tour it will be: Spanish Catalonia ):

Molló - Camprodon - Castellfollit de La Roca - Besalu
and then back to Collioure.

Today: Prats de Molle La Preste

We have continued into the valley Vallespir and have reached the old medival town Prats de Molle.

We make a stop here to see the big church and fortification

- the latter for sure a result from the close position to the Spanish border.

In fact the whole village was walled in medival times.

In the photo above (2 photos stitched) you see to the left the old city gate and up to the right the church Saintes Juste et Ruffine.

In this photo a display of the big fortifcation Fort Lagarde. Symbol of Royal power, the fortress looks down upon the fortified town, originally built to keep watch over the frontier. At the heart of the monument is a mediaeval signal tower, surrounded by a dungeon and reinforced by Vauban in 1686..

In the narrow cobbled medival streets the madam finds many shops selling local souvernirs and art details.

In this cosy, more modern plaza in the village there is good opportunity for a great French/Catalan lunch

From the net

Perched among the southern foothills of the Canigou massif, this town combines the dual appeal of being a fortified settlement by Vauban, and a Catalan mountain community. In frontier territory traditionally associated with rebellion, the little town sees its streets come alive in February when the annual Fête de l’Ours (Bear Festival) takes place. Whatever the season, this is the ideal place to come for fresh air all year round and an unspoilt environment.

Saturday market in Ceret, South of France

Catalan weekend tour: Collioure - Ceret - Prats de Molle La Preste
(all in French Catalonia. For the rest of the tour it will be: Spanish Catalonia ):
Molló - Camprodon - Castellfollit de La Roca - Besalu and then back to Collioure.

Today: Ceret

Up inn the hills beyond the Mediterranian, near the border to Spain you will find the village Ceret - super big supplier of Cherries,

Each Saturday a part of the village streets are at the disposal for the market - filling the streets with all kind of goods for sale - lots of visitors - a real big market day.

This photo from yesterday as we stopped on our way up in the Pyreenes...

... And below - in more peaceful sourrondings as the madam prepare a simple lunch further up in the valley:

Spring in the South of France - Port-Vendres

The small lighthouse by the entrance to the French - Catalan village Port-Vendres close to the Spanish border.

Typical for the spring - all the flowers and colors presenting in the best way a new year and a new season in this sunfilled corner of Southern France.

 

Lazy days in South of France - Port-Vendres

Lazy days in South of France (2 photos stitched)

We are hiking along the coast track - sentier Littoral - between Collioure and Port-Vendres when we pass this little bay a day in May.

A woman is having her sunbath amongst the cliffs to the left, while some small boats is having their lunch date at sea. In the back some ruined remains of an old fortification dating many years back in time. It is a fine day with sun and pleasant temperature for our hike - another ordinaire day in South of France....

 

Peyriac de mer - a village in South of France

 

After hiking around some salt lakes by the small village Peyriac de mer in Languedoc-Rousillon the small open place outside the village church with some cafe's is perfect for some soft drinks in the afternoon.

2 photos vertically stitched

Beaches of lake Raho near Perpignan in South of France

The artificial Lake Raho offers good value for people visiting the shores a fine day in the beginning of May.

2 photos stitched

From the net

Lake Raho near Perpignan in South of France.

Originally created in the 70s as a reservoir to supply local agriculture,

the lake at Villeneuve-de-la-Raho quickly became a leisure area for sailing,

fishing and sunbathing on the beaches specially created to accommodate

the growing number of locals and tourists attracted to it for its easy access.

Only 15 minutes from Perpignan centre (direction Porte d’Espagne/Barcelona)

this lake is used all year round for walkers and joggers and also

provides the water necessary for the ’canadairs’ in case of forest fires.

 

Wild flowers by lake Raho near Perpignan in South of France

The month of May with all the flowers and aromas of the spring is always something to look forward to in South of France.

It is a track going around the artificial lake Raho that takes app. 2 hrs. to walk - a well spent time....

From the net:

Lake Raho near Perpignan in South of France.

Originally created in the 70s as a reservoir to supply local agriculture, the lake at

Villeneuve-de-la-Raho quickly became a leisure area for sailing, fishing and sunbathing on the beaches specially created to accommodate the growing number of locals and tourists attracted to it for its easy access.

Only 15 minutes from Perpignan centre (direction Porte Espagne/Barcelona) this lake is used all year round for walkers and joggers and also provides the water necessary in case of forest fires.

 

Vista over Collioure, Rousillon and the Mediterranien - South of France

On top of the hill right behind our apartment in South of France we will find the old small fortification Fort St. Elme.

Every time we stay here we use the first morning after our arrival to hike up to the summit and the Fort to enjoy the magnificent vista over the large Rousillon plain stretching out behind our village Collioure to be seen in the foreground.

In Collioure - South of France: Keep a hand at your friends

A school class had a day off visiting the beaches in the small village Collioure, not far from the Spanish border.

When going back to the bus through the crowded streets the small people in the class all kept a hand to the back of their friends in front of them - as you can see in this photo.

They all walked in good spirit even having time to offer a smile to a bypassing photog.

French school system from the net:

Schooling in France is mandatory as of age 6, the first year of primary school. Almost all the parents start sending their children earlier though, at age 3 as nursery classes (maternelle) are usually affiliated to a borough's primary school. Some even start earlier at age 2 in pré-maternelle or très petite section classes( which are essentially daycare centres), but they are a minority (11%). The last year of maternelle, grande section is an important step in the educational process as it is the year in which pupils are introduced to reading.