Give me 5 – reasons to choose the Pyrénées-Orientales

My decision to choose Perpignan as my permanent home could never be described as a well thought out plan. There was one reason and one reason alone why I came to the region, and that was my hatred of the cold and desire for maximum sun and the shortest winters possible! That was back in 2003 when I knew very little about the place except that it was as far south as you can go in France…

Eight years down the line, I am thanking my lucky stars for having happened upon a corner of France which has so much more to offer than just good weather. In fact, I’d go so far as to say that there is very little that the area hasn’t got. Here’s my top 6 reasons to choose this area to live in - I just couldn’t cut it down to 5!!!

A stunning coastline - Holidaymakers and homebuyers alike are attracted by the Mediterranean coast. The area may not have the glitz and glamour of Cannes and Nice, but it does have a long, sandy coastline with wide beaches and inviting blue waters, and property prices which are a lot more accessible than on the Côte d’Azur. Just south of the lovely beach of Le Racou, the coastline changes suddenly with sandy beaches replaced by a dramatic rocky coastline with cliffs dropping down to pretty pebbly bays with crystal clear seas. This is where you’ll find Collioure – the jewel in the crown of this stretch of coastline but beware, property prices here are high!

Mountains - Flying in to Perpignan airport you can’t miss snow-capped Mount Canigou as you disembark. I have always been a beach babe myself, but am surprised to find that the mountains have wormed their way surreptitiously into my affections. The stunning valleys which meander inland following the Tech, Têt and Agly rivers are in the foothills of the Pyrenees so the weather remains fairly mild but the scenery is stunning and provides the perfect backdrop for walking, cycling and all manner of outdoor activities.

And then there’s the proximity to skiing, a big draw for many families. The resorts of Font Romeu and Les Angles are within 90 minutes of Perpignan and even closer to the towns and villages along the Têt Valley, making day trips easily possible. Last winter I spent a morning on the slopes and was sitting drinking coffee outdoors by the beach in a T shirt that same afternoon. There aren’t many parts of the world, let alone France, where you can do that without resorting to air travel.

Catalan culture - The towns and villages here each have their own character and charm and culture vultures will find plenty to interest them. Whether you want to dance the sardana, sample the local cuisine, view the spectacle that is the castellars (incredible human towers four or five people high - pictured below left), enjoy a festival (Fête du Livre et de la rose celebrated on Saint George's Day - pictured below right) or appreciate some art, you’ll find it all here. The largest town in the Tech Valley is Céret, which boasts a distinctly Catalan flavour and a bohemian feel thanks to its exceptional modern art museum which celebrates the town’s artistic heritage – Picasso and Dalí both fell in love with the place. The light in the area has always been a big draw for artists, particularly on the coast which has been home to Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Picasso, Matisse and Derain, to name a few.

300 days of sunshine a year – this phrase is regularly trotted out in tourist literature but it is true! Even during the (relatively brief) winter here, the sky is usually blue and cloudless and if you’re wrapped up you can still enjoy a stroll along the beach or a walk in the mountains. Grey, drizzly days are – thankfully – few and far between.

Easy access from the UK, Ireland and many other parts of Europe – we benefit from a wide choice of airports within two hours drive of Perpignan including Perpignan itself, Gerona and Barcelona in Spain, Béziers, Carcassonne, Toulouse and Montpellier. During the summer there are direct flights to Perpignan from Stansted, Manchester and Dublin. .

Mid to long term investment potential – After a couple of rocky years when they fell, property prices in the region stabilised over the course of 2010 and the general consensus is that they will begin to rise. There is a huge amount of investment in the region with new shopping centres springing up, a new theatre in Perpignan and the infamous TGV line to Barcelona, which has suffered many delays, but which looks set to open next year and cut the journey time between Perpignan and Barcelona to around 45 minutes. Given the benefits of the region, it will continue to be a magnet for retirees (from both abroad and northern France) and those buying holiday homes. Huge population increases are predicted between now and 2020 which means if you invest wisely and over the mid to long term, it would be difficult to lose! The time is now.