Holiday homes to rent
in the South of France
Tet Valley region
The
Tet Valley offers a spectrum of walking and climbing conditions; from the
flat lands near the Mediterranean coast, the moderate gradients of ancient
passageway tracks, the steep mountain climbs of Mount Canigou and the Pyrenean
chain of mountains, to near vertical rock faces.
For climbers, the area is full of great climbs on a variety of rocks. Of particular note is the area around Tautavel in the Corbieres just north of the Tet Valley.
During the summer, the Tet Valley is a walker's paradise. For serious hikers, there are numerous challenging paths, some with Refuges where you can spend the night. For the recreational walker, there are easier walks but wherever you go, you are always surrounded by fantastic scenery, a wide variety of birdlife, and wonderful flora & fauna. In this area alone, there are 7 Nature reserves.
Wine & Gastronomy in the Tet Valley. The Tet Valley has a superb climate for growing fruit, especially peaches, cherries, kiwis, apples, olives, and red grapes (mostly the Grenache vine variety).
Most wine is red but some rose & white wine is produced. Most of the wine in the region is produced within a vintners co-op systems. The wine is fermented in the Caves (sounds like carves, as in carving wood). The Caves at Belesta, Caramany, Marquixanes & Rivesaltes are worthy of visiting.
Wine types include Grenache, White Grenache (= rose), and the sweet aperitif Muscat.
The Byrrh Cellar in Thuir offers guided tours and and sampling of their fortified aperitif wines.
Olives grown locally, and you can buy olive oil direct from the producer
in Millas.
At the seaside, there are plenty of shellfish & fish; specialties include
the anchovy and sardines landed in the ports of Collioure & Por
t Vendres.
Olives stuffed with anchovies are a favourite combinations.
There are so many good, and reasonably priced restaurants to choose from. Even the smaller villages often have small restaurants (which may have very restricted opening hours). The cuisine is influenced by Catalonian, and the proximity of the Mediterranean sea.
An example of authentic cooking is the Le Abases Restaurant (00 4 68 05 95 66), just on the northern outskirts of the village of Rodes. Although the very friendly proprietors do not speak English, the restaurant is very popular with the French (inherent recommendation), and a customer may provide some translation if required. Once you have found the restaurant (map and directions needed), you will be able to enjoy great food, and a warm, relaxing environment.
The Tet Valley is fantastic for twitchers, having over 100 species, both indigenous birds and those on migration. This coast is on one of the North-South migration routes, so in spring and autumn it is possible to see many unusual migrating birds.
Mountain birds such as Golden Eagles and Vultures can be seen to the west, on the highest Pyrenean mountain peaks.
Saltwater loving birds, such as For Flamingos, Marsh Harrier are to be seen
on the Mediterranean coast, at places such as the lakes at the Etangs.
The Tet valley is very well appointed with Spa's and thermal springs to help relaxation, wellbeing, skin disorders and Rheumatism.
Vernet-les-Bains
Vernet les Bains spa
has a large spa, accepting both residential guests and adult & children
day guests. It offers treatments for an extensive range of conditions including
Rheumatoid arthritis, Rheumatic inflammation, respiratory ailments, ear, nose
and throat.
St.
Thomas-les-Bains
St Thomas les Bains
, near Fontpédrouse, has natural warm sulphuric alkaline waters
that surface at 58°C. There are 3 outside sulphur pools with bubble jets
which are used all year round. A key attraction is the amphitheatre
shaped solarium in the mountain. It is open every day from 10 am
to 8 pm, and in July and August until 9pm.
It is normally closed for a few days during November.
Molitg-les-Bains
The biggest, and most expensive, thermal spring in the area is at the hotel
Molitg les Bains.
The waters are said to be rich in active plankton and they claim it treats
respiratory tract ailments.
Spa's are shown with a yellow dot
Please remember to mention that you found the information on the Tet Valley website.
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