Hi,
As a middle aged couple we are hoping to either drive or fly down to Banyuls Sur Mer in early September ( if we fly we will hire a car )for 10-14 days beach/touring holiday. We decided this would fit our requirements after replies on trip advisor.
We are looking for somewhere to stay ( with parking ) and have looked at the Les Elmes as reports seem favourable. There are other places on the Tourist board website but don%26#39;t seem to be many reviews on them ( someone said Hotel Pecheurs but the website isn%26#39;t very detailed ).
We would like B %26amp; B. or just self-catering.
Also the dinner menu for Les Elmes looked fairly expensive - is it ?
Thank you
Shirley-7
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You could try Hotel El llagut (their restaurant is very good):
la-rando.com/hotels/hotel-el-llagut-35.html
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Hi Shirley-7
If you are looking for self catering accommodation you should check www.abritel.fr. They have 22 holiday apartments and houses listed in Bansuls-sur-Mer with further properties in nearby Port Vendres and Collioure. You may have a reason to actually stay in Banyuls but of the 3 locations I would chose Collioure. I booked a 3 bedroom apartment on the waterfront between Collioure and Port Vendres (walking distance to both) for a week a couple of years ago and really enjoyed it.
When you get into the Abritel.fr website, the area you are looking for is France %26gt; Mediterranean Sea %26gt; Pyrenees-Orientales, then just cursor over the red dots for the actual town.
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Hi,
Thanks to you both. Typing error on heading so glad you found the message !!
The hotel looks good and seems to be part of another that we looked at - Al Fanal ( same website ). Do you know if the rooms are okay as there are no reviews. If we stayed there is it within walking distance of the beach ? it seems to be in the port area - fantastic view !
The self catering apartments also look good as they give more freedom. We choose Bunyuls for the beach ( coves as apposed to long stretch )as we enjoy snorkling round rocky areas. Also it seems quiet and not too tourist orientated. We will be in the area for 8/9 days as have decided to drive down stopping %26#39;on route%26#39;.
Thank you
Shirley-7
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Hi Shirley-7
The area from Collioure south to Banyuls-sur-Mer is rocky with sandy coves. The long beaches stop north of Collioure. You are correct in thinking that Banyuls-sur-Mer is less touristy than Collioure. If you access Google Earth you will get a good feel for the topography of the area.
We stayed in an apartment just south of Collioure with direct access down to a cove. It can be seen in Google Earth at Lat. 42.524917 Lon. 3.097796. The large grey building in amongst the apartments is an underground carpark and not a shopping centre.
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El Fanal is the restaurant of Hotel El Llagut. This is why they share the same site.
As I live in the area I%26#39;ve never stayed at the hotel but it has got good reviews here.
The restaurant of Hotel St Elmes, La Littorine is one of the best restaurants in the Département, hence the high prices.
There is an underwater discovery path in Banyuls called %26quot;sentier de découverte sous-marine%26quot; - your hotel will give you information about it. Don%26#39;t miss the Paulilles bay, between Port-Vendres and Banyuls, it has been completely remodeled recently (there used to be a dynamite factory until WW2 and access was limited for a long time).
Also in Banyuls, the Institut Océanographique and aquarium and a few km from the village, Maillol%26#39;s farm house in the Roma valley which is now a small museum.
If you are adventurous, drive up to Col de Banyuls. The view over Spain on the other side is breath-taking.
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Hi,
Thank you for the replies. I had a quick look on Goggle Earth last night but will look closer today.
Thanks to Pvoyageuse for the ideas we will definately try and see them all. This is the great thing about trip advisor - there is always someone with local knowledge. We will have 3/4 days on the beach ( weather permitting ) and travel on alternate days so any more ideas would be welcome.
We want to have a day in the mountains , do you reccommend a %26#39;route%26#39; ( do realise they are vast !! ).
This is our first time in this area of France so all new to us.
I am posting another message regarding the best way to travel down from Calais using B roads that I believe are a bit more scenic. So all replies gratefully received.
Thank you
Shirley-7
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If you want to see the %26quot;real mountains%26quot;, the obvious day-trip is Cerdagne, the area around Font-Romeu. It will be a long drive from Banyuls and I suggest you leave early. You%26#39;ll start at sea level and will drive up to 1800 m.
Drive from Banyuls to Prades via Perpignan and follow the road to Andorra. Stop in Villefranche-de-Conflent and Mont-Louis along the way : both fortress towns were built by Vauban in the 17th century and both have been named World Heritage places a few weeks ago.
In Mont-Louis, take the low road via Col de la Perche to the Spanish border: 12th century church in Hix, small Folk Museum in a 17th century farm (Cal Matteu) in Sainte Léocadie, Llivia, a Spanish town on French territory (the oldest pharmacy in Europe).
On your way back just before Col de La Perche take the %26quot;high road%26quot; which will take you to Font-Romeu via Odeillo. A few miles after the town on the road to Mont-Louis stop in l%26#39;Ermitage - statue of a black Virgin and miraculous fountain.
Note : on September 8, there is an %26quot;aplec%26quot; (catalan for pilgrimage) marking the end of the summer season. The black Virgin is taken down to the church in Odeillo (by foot) for the winter. It will be very crowded.
If you%26#39;d rather stay closer to sea level, you can also drive up to les Albères (the medium size range of mountains around Banyuls). There is a nice road to the left just as you reach Le Perthus.
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Hi,
Thank you for your excellent and detailed reply, we will certainly take the %26#39;high%26#39; route. I%26#39;m sure we will enjoy our day trip !
We both enjoy mountains and have experienced some in Switzerland when visiting relatives. Our mountains in Great Britain are small by comparison but we have great pleasure trekking up some of them.
Shirley-7
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