We knew owning a property in France would open a world of new possibilities for us but we didn’t realize the full extent of how far that reach might be.  Having people visiting from all over the world is quickly spreading our circle of friends to other countries, even other continents. 

Most recently we had a wonderful couple from Paris visit for a week.  They enjoyed their time in Collioure and after providing wonderful feedback and a very positive review, they shared with us that they also have an apartment in Paris that they rent to visitors.  We are so thrilled to have someone in this beautiful city that we can rely on for reputable and affordable accommodations. Judging by the website, their apartment is spacious, nicely decorated and very centrally located (only 3kms from the Eiffel Tower). Check it out at this link if you need a place to stay on your next trip to Paris (ref #9298).

Paris Apartment

In December we will welcome a couple from Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario that will be staying for six weeks.  And after communicating via email for the past couple of months, we were fortunate enough to be able to meet this couple in person, on a trip to NOTL, this past weekend.  What a treat to meet such a genuine couple with a passion as strong as ours for travelling and enjoying life.  There was a definite kinship that will be shared for many years.  We are so very happy to have some fellow Canadians enjoy the holiday season in our apartment. They are going to have a fabulous time.

Spreading even farther afield, we have guests coming to visit from outside Cape Town, South Africa.  These folks also have an amazing guesthouse in the wine lands of Stellenbosch.  Their stunning facility includes full suites, a pool and a spa and wellness centre!  It looks like pure luxury.  It is perfect to have yet another connection in such a beautiful part of the world. See their website:

Stellenbosch Guesthouse

As we continue to welcome visitors from many corners of the world, everyday is a new adventure – can’t wait to see who we meet next!

The centrepiece of the Collioure harbour is the Royal Palace or Château Royal de Collioure.  This majestic building sits at the edge of the water and dominates the stunning outline of the shore.  Many people use the shade of the Palace in which to relax and rest during the hot summer days.  Artists display their work on the ledges and musicians can often be heard while strolling around the wide stone path.  We have used the path around the Palace to cut across from the Old Town to Faubourg quite often and enjoy the view of the immense stone walls each and every time.

This is a main tourist attraction in Collioure and definitely worth visiting when in the area.  The history of the site is quite fascinating since over the years it has actually been the location of four castles. Below is a brief timeline of its existence.

It is known that the Rousillon area was conquered by the Romans around 120 BC and the Visogoths occupied the area from 418.  The first time there is mention of this location in Collioure was when the King of the Visogoths attacked the fortified site in 673 to restrain a rebellion.

Moving to the 12th century, Girard II a Count of Roussillon bequeathed his land to the King of Aragon.  Under the King’s direction work was undertaken in the town in order to improve the financial position of Collioure.  The Knights Templar built the castle in 1207 and converted it to the Royal Castle in 1345.

A second castle was built by the Kings of Majorca during the 13th and 14th centuries and was used as a central travelling point and summer home.

During the 16th century it was turned into what was considered a modern fortress by the Spanish Hapsburgs who strengthened and reinforced it considerably.

Collioure was a strategic point in the war between the Spanish and French.  In 1642 there was a stand off in which the Spanish eventually surrendered only due to the destruction of their water wells.  In 1659 the region of Roussillon formally passed back to the French at which time Vauban, a French military engineer reinforced, yet again, the castle and it surrounding walls.

The castle was designated a historical monument in 1922 and was also a prison in 1939 and a camp for Spanish refugees escaping from Franco during the Spanish Civil War. 

Currently it is open daily for visitors.  It is often the site of art expositions and also the location of the annual Collioure Christmas Market.   Be sure to check out this incredible historical monument – the views from the ramparts are incredible!    

The people of France really do understand the concept of living life to the fullest.  Aside from all the wonderful cultural activities, fabulous food & drink and stunning places to visit in the country, they not only believe in the term work-life balance – they actually live it.

The French have 19 holidays this year, many of them religious in nature due to a large part of the country being Roman Catholic.  Some are just observances such as Mothers Day, Fathers Day, Whit Sunday, Christmas Eve and New Years Eve, but the rest are actual statutory holidays.  And this means that all things close down and people actually take the day off completely.  They are strict about this – holidays are time for family and friends and they make sure they have lots of them. 

They also make the most of any holidays that fall on a Thursday or Tuesday and plan to take the day between to make it an extra long weekend.  This is called “faire le pont” or “make the bridge” from the holiday to the weekend.  Smart?  We think so.  We started to look into this as bookings for the apartment started coming in for these “extra long weekends” and most were last minute as people decided to take a quick break out of town. 

In the month of May this year there are four holidays – May 1 is Labour Day or May Day, May 8 is WWII Victory Day, May 25 is Mothers Day and May 29 is Ascension Day.  Three of them fall on a Thursday, which means lots of “faire le pont” this month!  No point trying to get much done as everyone will be away enjoying life!

We think these customs are awesome.  Can’t wait until we live there and take part in the "joie de vivre" as the French do everyday.

For your reference, check out the list of the 2014 holidays:

Wednesday Jan 1, New Year's Day, National holiday 
Friday Apr 18, Good Friday, Local holiday
Sunday Apr 20, Easter Day, Observance
Monday Apr 21, Easter Monday, National holiday
Thursday May 1, Labor/May Day, National holiday 
Thursday May 8, WWII Victory Day, National holiday 
Sunday May 25, Mother's Day, Observance 
Thursday May 29, Ascension Day, National holiday 
Sunday Jun 8, Whit Sunday, Observance 
Monday Jun 9, Whit Monday, National holiday 
Sunday Jun 15, Father's Day, Observance 
Monday Jul 14, Bastille Day, National holiday 
Friday Aug 15, Assumption of Mary, National holiday 
Saturday Nov 1, All Saints' Day, National holiday 
Tuesday Nov 11, Armistice Day, National holiday 
Wednesday Dec 24, Christmas Eve, Observance 
Wednesday Dec 25, Christmas Day, National holiday 
Friday Dec 26, St. Stephen's Day, Local holiday 
Wednesday Dec 31, New Year's Eve, Observance 

Many people don’t realize that Collioure actually has two sides to the town.  While visiting you may hear people refer to the Old Town as Le Mouré and the newer side of town as Faubourg. The Douy stream is the dividing point between the two and at the point closest to the water there is a small stone footbridge that connects the two sections.

The Douy stream originates in the mountains and flows down into what was Collioure’s original entrance to the first port.   The mouth of the stream that lets out to the sea has changed significantly over time.  Originally on the side of the Royal Palace, there was a sandy beach.  Today, visitors can sit and relax under the olive trees in the shade.  Since the stream originally flowed freely to the sea, a stone breakwater was built around the mouth to provide a sheltered dock.  Just up from the footbridge, you can still see remnants of the original protective walls that extended from the Royal Palace.

This stream is really the heart of Collioure’s communal life.  In the summer it has many purposes and can serve as a car park, market area and event space for cultural and sporting events.  It is generally dry during the summer months but in the winter, there is often water flowing down the stone channel through the village and out into the Mediterranean.  On occasion, flash floods have taken place as a result of big downpours and locals tell stories of cars being washed out into the bay!

As you move inland, there is a footpath along the side of the stream that many people use for hiking, which eventually connects with a path up to the Hermitage of Consolation (a nice spot with a chapel and restaurant).  The walk is pleasant, consisting mainly of terraced vineyards with patches of oak forest.  In the upper sections of the stream, water is collected from surface run off and groundwater allowing the stream enough water to flow generously.  It is the home to many plants, fish, water snakes and other forms of aquatic life. As it progresses down towards the village, much of the water sinks into the ground and it loses it’s stream altogether, thus allowing it to be utilized for its multi purposes in the summer.

Depending on the time of year you visit Collioure, you may attend an event in the Douy or be overlooking the flowing water.  No matter the month, the stream continues to be the heart of Collioure.

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