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The Catalan Eden: The New Provence of the Pyrénées-OrientalesA small village in the Aspres, Vivès charms with its tranquility, ancient history, closeness to nature, and the richness of its local heritage. Located just a few kilometers from Céret, Vivès offers a timeless escape, ideal for lovers of authenticity and unspoiled landscapes.History: A Village Rooted in VallespirThe name Vivès, recorded as early as 987 under the form Vivers, comes from the Latin vivarium (“fishpond”), recalling the importance of the water and rivers that cross the commune. Historically, Vivès is part of Vallespir, a former medieval viscounty included in the viscounty of Castelnou. The village was attached to France by the Treaty of the Pyrenees in 1659, like the rest of the region.The lordship of Vivès belonged to the Coll de Vivès family on the eve of the French Revolution. The parish church of Saint-Michel, mentioned as early as the 13th century, bears witness to this medieval past. This Romanesque building, with a single nave and semicircular apse, houses remarkable medieval works, including a 14th-century Madonna and Child and a Romanesque Christ.For a long time, the village lived off the exploitation of cork oak, an abundant resource in the surrounding forests. Vivès has seen demographic renewal since the 1970s, reaching 182 inhabitants in 2022, while retaining its rural and peaceful character.Vivès and Art: Between Tradition and InspirationAlthough Vivès itself is not an artistic hotspot like Céret, it is surrounded by a region with a strong artistic identity. Neighboring villages, especially Prades, pay tribute to local artists. Here you’ll find the Martin Vivès Space, dedicated to the Roussillon painter of the same name, born in Prades in 1905. This cultural space, housed in a former 19th-century prison, exhibits works by Martin Vivès and other artists from Conflent in both permanent and temporary exhibitions.Martin Vivès, whose work is marked by the light and landscapes of Roussillon, bequeathed to his hometown a representative collection of his art, on display at the Martin Vivès Space. Landscapes, villages, and the surrounding nature are at the heart of his paintings, blending history, tradition, and modernity.Gastronomy: Catalan Terroir and WarmthVivès does not boast any Michelin-starred restaurants, but the village and its surroundings offer a fine array of Catalan flavors. The most renowned restaurants are nearby, especially in Le Boulou and Céret, just a few kilometers away. Here you can savor local cuisine staples: charcuterie, sheep’s cheese, dishes made from local products, Roussillon wines, and of course, the traditional cargolade (grilled snails).The markets in the surrounding villages, such as Céret or Le Boulou, provide an opportunity to discover fresh and artisanal products: fruits, vegetables, honey, olive oil, and local wines. Lovers of authentic gastronomy will appreciate the friendly atmosphere of inns and small restaurants, where simplicity goes hand in hand with generosity.Vivès guarantees a peaceful stay, blending history, nature, and Catalan traditions. A discreet village with undeniable charm, it is ideal for soaking up the spirit of Vallespir and exploring the region’s artistic and culinary highlights.

Vivès and its surroundings: discreet charm and Catalan authenticity

Nestled between lake and mountains, Talloires captivates with its thousand-year-old history, artistic inspiration, and gourmet way of life. This Haute-Savoie village, nicknamed “the pearl of the lake,” invites you on a journey rich in emotion and flavor.History: From Ancient Origins to the Royal AbbeyHuman presence in Talloires dates back to the Neolithic era, as evidenced by remains found in caves and along the shores of Lake Annecy. In Antiquity, the area was inhabited by the Allobroges and later became part of the Roman Empire, which developed strategic trade routes here. Mysterious Latin inscriptions still bear witness to this era.Talloires truly enters recorded history in the 9th century, when King Lothair gave the villa to his wife Thiedberge. But it was in the 11th century that the village flourished, thanks to the founding of a Benedictine priory by Rudolph III of Burgundy and his wife Ermengarde. The abbey, established on the lakeshore, became a major religious and economic center, enriched by gifts from bishops and the Dukes of Savoy. The first prior, Germain of Talloires, lived as a hermit in a cave overlooking the village, leaving a lasting spiritual mark on the site.Over the centuries, the abbey experienced both prosperity and hardship: fires, reforms, and then partial destruction during the French Revolution, when its archives were burned and its bell tower collapsed. In the 19th century, the abbey became an inn and then a hotel, paving the way for Talloires’ tourism and hospitality vocation.Talloires and Art: A Timeless Source of InspirationThe beauty of Talloires Bay has inspired many artists, including Paul Cézanne, who painted “Le Lac bleu” here in 1896. The village has also attracted writers, musicians, and personalities from around the world, drawn by its unique light and serenity—such as Alphonse de Lamartine, Winston Churchill, Grace Kelly, Charlie Chaplin, and Empress Eugénie. Today, Talloires continues to thrive creatively, with contemporary art exhibitions at venues like the Hôtel Beau Site, highlighting the lake’s light and landscapes.The village also hosts major cultural events: Pyroconcerts combining fireworks and music, the Book Festival, and contemporary art exhibitions at the Salomon Foundation, just minutes from the center. The artistic tradition lives on in the galleries, hotels, and studios that line the village’s streets.Gastronomy: Savoyard Terroir and Exceptional DiningTalloires is a top gastronomic destination, celebrating Savoyard cuisine and the creativity of its chefs. Local specialties take center stage: lake whitefish, reblochonade, tartiflette, fondue savoyarde, macaroni gratin, cheeses, charcuterie, honey, and regional wines. Local products are elevated in the village’s finest restaurants.Among the must-visit addresses:<ul><li>Auberge du Père Bise – Jean Sulpice: Two Michelin stars, inventive and refined cuisine, breathtaking bay views.</li><li>Abbaye de Talloires: Gourmet restaurant in a historic setting, blending tradition and modernity.</li><li>Le 1903: Warm and friendly, honoring the origins of Auberge du Père Bise with seasonal cuisine and exceptional views.</li><li>Le Beau Site: Panoramic restaurant, regional cuisine and local products, brunches and dinners facing the lake.</li><li>Auberge de Montmin: A gastronomic gem at the foot of the mountains, inventive cuisine and attentive service.</li><li>Chalet de l’Aulp: Mountain stop to enjoy fondue, tartiflette, and potato fritters in an alpine setting.</li><li>Talloires also offers pizzerias, cafés, and bistros for every taste and occasion, from terrace dining to lakeside lunches.</li></ul>Talloires is the rare blend of a thousand-year-old heritage, vibrant artistic life, and exceptional gastronomy, all set in a breathtaking natural environment. It’s a village where every moment becomes a unique experience, combining history, art, and culinary delights.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Talloires: A historic, artistic, and gastronomic gem on Lake Annecy

The Catalan Eden: The New Provence of the Pyrénées-OrientalesLocated on the first hills of the Aspres foothills, between sea and mountains, Tresserre offers a unique panorama of the Mediterranean and the Pyrenees. This Catalan village, both discreet and rich in history, charms visitors with its heritage, cultural life, and local flavors.History: A Past of Kingdoms and BattlesTresserre owes its name to the Latin trans serram (“beyond the hills”). The village was born in the Middle Ages during major land clearances and was first organized around a cluster of modest homes situated behind the church. As early as the 5th century, its lands belonged to the Abbey of Saint-Michel de Cuxa and the Commandery of Mas Deu. In the 13th century, Tresserre became a barony of the Kingdom of Majorca and even hosted a “palace” that is said to have served as a summer residence for the kings, drawn by the area’s healthy climate.In the 15th century, Roussillon and Aspres were annexed by Louis XI, ending the rule of the kings of Majorca and Aragon. The Treaty of the Pyrenees (1659) permanently attached the region to France. Tresserre was also marked by the war of 1793 against Spain: the Battle of Le Boulou, the site of which is now marked, partly took place on its lands, and the village was burned in 1794.For a long time, Tresserre’s economy was based on the Mediterranean trilogy: wheat, oil, and wine. In the 19th century, vineyards took precedence, benefiting from an ideal climate and rich soils. The development of the railway in 1853 boosted wine production, which remains one of the village’s pillars to this day.Heritage and Artistic LifeThe heart of the village preserves typical 19th-century houses made of river stones and red bricks, with large rectangular doors—remnants of old wine cellars. You’ll also find the “maison bloc,” typical of local agriculture, and glazed ceramic elements on the roofs, including the famous “Bruixes” horn meant to ward off witches.The Romanesque Saint-Saturnin church dates from the 12th century; it features a single nave and a semicircular apse, as well as a recently restored altarpiece. The village also highlights its heritage through a historical trail on the site of the Battle of Le Boulou, with an orientation table and educational panels.On the events side, Tresserre stands out for its lively Witch Festival, held every year at the end of October: workshops, shows, concerts, and parades bring the village to life in a friendly, family atmosphere. Exhibitions and concerts also punctuate local cultural life, notably at the Cave aux Contes.Gastronomy: Terroir and FriendlinessGastronomy in Tresserre reflects its terroir: authentic, generous, and focused on the vine. The village boasts several popular spots, including Domaine de Nidolères, an inn set among the vineyards at the foot of Mount Canigou. Here, you can enjoy homemade cuisine made from local products, accompanied by wines from the estate. Catalan and Mediterranean specialties are featured in a warm, family atmosphere.Reviews praise the quality of the dishes, the freshness of the products, and the hospitality of the owners. Cod, mirabelle plum tart, rabbit with snails, and Sunday roast chicken are just a few examples of the dishes offered, to be savored under the shaded terrace or in the rustic dining room.Tresserre also promises oenological discoveries, thanks to the presence of cellars and estates that continue the Aspres wine tradition. Local markets and restaurants allow you to taste the flavors of Roussillon in a preserved and authentic setting.Tresserre is a village where history, culture, and gastronomy come together in the present, offering visitors an authentic Catalan experience—combining heritage, nature, and the pleasures of the table.

Tresserre, authentic village of the Aspres

The Catalan Eden: The New Provence of the Pyrénées-OrientalesNestled in the heart of Vallespir, Céret captivates with its authenticity, its turbulent history, its vibrant artistic scene, and its generous Catalan gastronomy. This village, both picturesque and lively, invites discovery in all its facets.History: Between Kingdoms and BordersThe earliest traces of Céret date back to the 9th century, during the Carolingian era, when the town belonged to the County of Roussillon. It quickly developed around its church and its seigneurial castle, the Castellas. Over the centuries, Céret evolved under the rule of the Counts of Empúries, then came under the authority of the Kingdom of Majorca in the 13th century. It was during this time that the ramparts, the famous Fountain of the Nine Jets (1313), and the renowned Devil’s Bridge, a medieval masterpiece, were built.The town has weathered the upheavals of history: it became Spanish following the union of the kingdoms of Castile and Aragon, then French after the Treaty of the Pyrenees (1659). Symbolic of this shift, the lion’s head on the Fountain of the Nine Jets, originally facing Spain, was then turned towards France, accompanied by the inscription “Venite Ceretens, leo factus est gallus” (“Come, people of Céret, the lion has become a rooster”).Through the centuries, Céret has endured epidemics, wars, and revolutionary upheavals, yet it has preserved its Catalan identity and dynamism, still evident today in its narrow streets and shaded squares.Céret, Capital of the ArtsAt the beginning of the 20th century, Céret became a major artistic hub, nicknamed “the Mecca of Cubism.” From 1911, Picasso and Braque stayed there, drawn by the village’s light and atmosphere. They were followed by many artists from the School of Paris: Juan Gris, André Masson, Marc Chagall, Soutine, Krémègne, Jean Dubuffet, Georges Braque, and many others. The Céret Museum of Modern Art, founded in 1950, today preserves and exhibits an exceptional collection of these masters, as well as contemporary works.The war memorial in Céret, created by Aristide Maillol, a sculptor native to the region, also attests to the village’s artistic sensibility. The streets of Céret, its galleries, studios, and murals perpetuate this creative tradition, making the town a pilgrimage site for art lovers.Gastronomy: Catalan Flavors and WarmthCéret is also renowned for its gastronomy, reflecting the richness of the Catalan terroir. The village’s restaurants celebrate local specialties: cargolade (grilled snails), boles de picolat (meatballs in sauce), escudella i carn d’olla (Catalan stew), calçots (grilled sweet onions), and the famous crema catalana for dessert. Local products—fruits, vegetables, meats, and cheeses—are showcased in establishments where tradition meets creativity.Among the best addresses are:<ul><li>Al Català: authentic and generous Catalan cuisine</li><li>Le Pied dans le Plat: traditional dishes on the Place des Neuf Jets</li><li>La Galerie: refined cuisine based on local products</li><li>Can Jordi: friendly atmosphere and Mediterranean specialties</li><li>Restaurant Guy Molas: homemade cuisine and breathtaking views of the valley</li><li>Céret’s lively, colorful markets are also an opportunity to taste the village’s iconic cherries, famous throughout France.</li></ul>Céret is thus a journey through time, an artistic immersion, and an invitation to indulge. A village where every stone, every painting, and every dish tells a chapter of Catalan history.

Céret, Catalan Jewel of the Pyrénées-Orientales

The Catalan Eden, the New Provence of the Pyrénées-Orientales📍 Geographical Location Collioure is a picturesque village located on the Côte Vermeille, on the Mediterranean coast, in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, in the Occitanie region. Just 30 km from Perpignan and close to the Spanish border, it is nestled between the sea and the mountains, offering spectacular landscapes that combine coves, terraced vineyards, and schist hills.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collioure https://petitescitesdecaractere.com/fr/nos-petites-cites-de-caractere/collioure🏰 History of Collioure Since Antiquity, Collioure has been a strategic port for the Phoenicians, Greeks, and Romans. The castle is mentioned as early as 673, attesting to its military importance. Over the centuries, the village was contested between the kingdoms of Aragon, Majorca, Spain, and France. It was fortified by Vauban in the 17th century and became a source of inspiration for many artists, especially the Fauvist painters like Matisse and Derain.🏛️ Monuments and Must-Sees The Royal Castle: A medieval fortress overlooking the bay, it was the residence of the kings of Majorca and a strategic stronghold. The Church of Notre-Dame-des-Anges: Famous for its bell tower-lighthouse, it is an emblem of Collioure and stands right by the water. Saint Vincent Chapel: Built on a rock, it houses the relics of the village’s patron saint. The Collioure Windmill: A restored old windmill, accessible by a path that offers splendid views. Fort Saint-Elme: A 16th-century military fort, it provides an exceptional panorama of the coast. 🍽️ Gastronomy Collioure is famous for its anchovies, prepared artisanally for centuries, and its Catalan cuisine: cargolade (grilled snails), fish and seafood cooked on a plancha, Catalan lamb, Salanque artichokes, Collioure biscuits, and AOC Collioure-Banyuls wines. Local restaurants showcase regional products and the Catalan art of living.🏖️ Beaches and Coves Collioure has several authentic beaches, alternating between pebbles and sand, ideal for swimming and water activities:Boramar Beach: Right in the center, between the castle and the church. Saint Vincent Beach: Behind the church, more intimate. Faubourg Beach (Port d’Avall): Family-friendly, with views of the bay. Ouille Cove: Wilder, accessible on foot via the coastal path. 🌄 The Surroundings The area around Collioure offers many walks: the coastal path towards Argelès-sur-Mer, the Massane Forest Nature Reserve for nature lovers, or exploring the Banyuls vineyards and neighboring villages such as Port-Vendres and Banyuls-sur-Mer.Collioure promises a stay filled with heritage, art, Mediterranean flavors, and breathtaking scenery. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

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Vivès and its surroundings: discreet charm and Catalan au...

Talloires: A historic, artistic, and gastronomic gem on L...

Tresserre, authentic village of the Aspres

Céret, Catalan Jewel of the Pyrénées-Orientales

Collioure, the jewel of the Côte Vermeille