* Cycling: The area from the village in all directions offers anything from leisurely rides to more challenging trails. All roads & tracks are safe for riding on and French motorists are respectful of other road users.

* Walking & climbing: The area is a treat for serious hill climbers and leisurely strollers. Vineyards & olive groves abound in this area and most sell their products direct if you ask but please do not help yourself.

* Visit the Vallee de Tortè  (Valley of the Tortoises) which is a delight and situated right here in the village. It is the home of a multitude of tortoises, turtles & terrapins from all over the world as well an increasing collection of unusual flora. It is open March through to the end of October.

* Attend one of the many festivals and events that happen in Sorède and the surrounding villages and towns throughout the year. There are so many full details are available at the Tourist Office.

* Sit in the village square & watch life go by whilst having a coffee or an aperitif or challenge the locals at the Bouledrome. Several brochures are kept in the Lounge explaining Local Attractions & Events or contact the local Tourist Office. Visiting Sorède

Travel by Car or Rail

* Barcelona   is a only a few hours away by taking the Toll Road (Peóge) A61-A9 (Tolls approx. 40 euros for the trip) or using the very good national road system depicted by the prefix N. Home to Gaudi's fine architecture Barcelona is one of the finest cities in Europe if not the world. The Catalan people are proud of their city and make you feel welcome and are very helpful so just ask. There is so much to see you may prefer to book into a hotel overnight and prices range from 60 Euros upwards for a Double Room in a good hotel near La Alambras. (City Centre)
You can drive straight into the centre and there is a large number of car parks (approx. 1.5 euros p.h.)
There is a downside, beware of pickpockets and always keep your car doors locked when driving around the centre of town. Do not let this put you off but be aware!

*Visit the Vallee de Tortè  (Valley of the Tortoises) which is a delight. Situated in the village of Soredè near Argeles sur Mer (Perpignan) it is the home of a multitude of tortoises, turtles & terrapins from all over the world as well an increasing collection of unusual flora. It is open March through to the end of October.

* Visit the Sigean Safari Park  (near Narbonne) or the Prehistoric museum at Tautavel

*Toulouse visit the European Space Centre and the sights of this fine city

* Carcassonne Cité is one of the only cities in mainland Europe with all it's walls complete and it encircles a thriving town housing a profusion of good restaurants and good gift shops. The newer city of Carcassonne itself has a thriving centre and is well worth a visit. Parking is easy and plentiful and a map of the town is available at the house for your use.

* Andorra this small principality situated in the heart of the Pyrenees is well worth a visit especially for those all important duty free savings in the shops.

* Visit the wine regions of Rousillon, Corbiere, Fitou and the Langaudoc to get the best wine at value prices, in fact you are only yards away from a vineyard. The speciality of Limoux is a sparkling white wine called Blanquette de Limoux, which is truly excellent and predates champagne.

* Girona & the Dali Museum. Visit the Dali museum and discover more about this exceptional artist or visit Ceret (near Boulà) which is a thriving home to all the arts. A must is Collioure (near Argeles) but expect traffic problems accessing this town.

Skiing and other sport activites Click on this link to load Sport Activity page

Suggested Places to visit

The South of France has first class roads linking the Atlantic to the Mediterranean and France with Spain.
Here are our comments on a few of the places we have visited.

St. Hilaire Abbey     Carcassonne La Cité     Trebes     Lagrasse     Castles of the Cathar     Canal du Midi

Lourdes     Andorra     Plain de Sault     Pont du Gard     Gruissan      Mirapoix & Fanjeux     Meze & Sète    

 Carcassonne Tourism Site     Video of Carcassonne Cité from the air


Contact the Tourist Office for further details
The following links are provided curtesy of le-guide.com

Aigne A village shaped like a snail. Visit the studios of an icon painter, and a wood sculptor, and the church that sings.
Albas Go deep into the Corbiéres and discover Albas, and the wonderful wines of Domaine des Pensées Sauvages
Canal du Midi Visit Trebes to view the canal, here you will find landscape and beauty entwined. The Canal du Midi is a 19th. Century feat of engineering which connects the Atlantic to the Mediterranean. Recently travelled by Rick Stein on his gourmet journey.
Caihol and the Cessiére Bathe in cool springs under a Roman tower.
Cessenon-sur-Orb. Visit this busy village, with 12th Century tower overlooking the River Orb, renowned for canoeing and kayaking.

Collioure Visit the church which Matisse and the Fauves brought to life with effervescent colours and sounds.
Dolmens Seek out the spiritual, megalithic and mysterious in the Minervois.
Gruissan and La Clape Visit Betty Blue, and the sailor's church nearby.
Lagrasse Pretty capital of the Corbieres, with a lovely abbey, medieval buildings and a dreamy river flowing between the two.
Minerve Perched on a cliff, between two rivers, swirling through natural bridges.

Narbonne Ancient city, with roman roads and tall Cathedral and bustling Sunday market.
Ouveillan Charming village with beautiful church, with celebrated Fete de Vendanges in October.
Paraza Visit a canal town, tight on a hill.
St Chinian Founded in 825AD as a monastery, now bustling wine and market town.
Sète Thrive on the hot energy of the coastal town that spawned Brassens and Valéry.

Vélieux Walk the high hills.
Queribus The dramatic last stronghold of the Cathars