Port Barcares Vacation Rental apartment: Barcares

Barcares Resort

The region around Perpignan is of great interest where you can combine each holiday with excursions to explore the foothills of the Pyrenees. Villefranche is an interesting town where you can take the 'Little Yellow Train' for a fascinating trip into the Pyrenees. Barcares village has a regular market with local produce and in Port Barcares there is a Sea Water Thalassotherapy treatment centre. In July and August the resort throngs with visitors. Cap Leucate is a landmark for seafarers and migrating birds. It is a popular area for hikers and mountain bikers. Port Barcares is located in the Golfe du Lion and is home to one of the largest marinas on the French Mediterranean coast, the other being at nearby Port Leucate. The superb beach is Blue Flag and 10km long. It is home to the Lydia, a 100m steamship built in 1931 and deliberately run aground in 1967.The Lydia has been converted into a casino, museum, restaurant and nightclub.

Eating out

The area around Barcares is known for its seafood, particularly Oysters which are celebrated with a week long festival in March. Along the beach side promenade you will find a varied selection of restaurants, bars, cafes and snack bars. Wine production is as important as fishing in this, France's largest wine producing region. August is an essential season for the peninsula where you can taste a wide range of local wines such as Corbiere, Fitou, Muscat de Rivesaltes and Minervois. Within a couple of minutes of walking distance of the apartment, the local shops range from the all important bakery to the local supermarket and green grocer. The doctor and pharmacy are located approximately five minutes away from the apartment.

Exciting Activities

The beach is good for families as there are lifeguards on duty throughout the high season. Barcares Grand Plage is vast and even during the high season there is plenty of room for everyone. Activities available are swimming, sailing schools, wind surfing schools, scuba diving, water skiing, go-karting and quad biking. Cycle hire is available. Sea fishing, boat and sailing trips are readily available in Port Barcares.There are tennis courts and horse riding schools in Barcares and a championship golf course at St Cyprien(20km). An Aqua park nearby provides many a fun filled family day trip. On average the area receives 300 days of sunshine a year. During the summer the temperature is usually around 30c with very little rain.

Entertainment

Evening walks along the beachside promenade are enhanced by the local market stalls offering a variety of crafts and souvenirs. Evening entertainment in Barcares is plentiful and varied. Each evening the area offers 250 live shows to choose from for all the family free of charge. A luna park in July and August adds to the family attractions. Barcares offers a unique travelling experience on its own 'Little Train' which provides an excellent and pleasurable way of discovering and exploring its sights. Barcares Grand Plage is very well located in order to explore and visit the many historic, cultural and picturesque sites on offer in the Roussillon region.Trips into Spain to taste the Spanish way of life and culture are a major attraction. The Canigou, which is located in the Pyrenean mountain range, is very popular with hikers and walkers who are able to enjoy the beautiful surroundings.

Booking/Payment

Booking dates and times are flexible throughout the year. Payments are accepted in British pounds Sterling or in Euros by cheque. When a confirmed booking is made, a 25% non-refundable deposit is needed to secure the booking. This deposit must be sent 12 weeks before arrival with the balance being fully paid 8 weeks before the arrival date.

Special Information

The Parc de la Mer apartment provides wheelchair access and a car parking space is reserved for one car. Although a car is recommended for out of resort excursions, should you wish to stay only at the resort we can provide the following: A pick-up from Perpignan airport can be arranged for 40 Euros (for up to 4 passengers one way) and from Girona Barcelona airport for 80 Euros plus tolls (for up to 4 passengers one way). The apartment prices include and water charges, linen, towels, cleaning on departure and a cot/high chair if needed. A good selection of books, children's games, videos and DVDs are available free of charge. A complementary 'welcome pack' of tea/coffee/milk/sugar are offered. A special request for a welcome pack of your choice of necessary items needed from the supermarket can be arranged at an extra charge. Taxi's from Perpignan charge 60 E plus and a Girona run 120 E one way.