Canet Plage - South west is the best! (The other south of France)

Canet Plage is a seaside town situated along the Mediterranean coastline of southern France near to the Spanish border. The region around is called Languedoc-Roussillon where the flat land of the Camargue meets the skirt of the Pyrenees mountains.

It is open all year so that autumn/spring breaks are enjoyable- some shops and restaurants will be open and there are always people around. Canet Plage benefits from being close to the beautiful working town of Perpignan with lots of small shops and cafes. The local bus service is very cheap and reliable and takes you via Canet Village.

The geographical diversity around Canet Plage makes it possible to visit and ski in the mountains. The roads are never busy outside August and the scenery is stunning. You can have your breakfast overlooking the sea and spend the day surrounded by beautiful countryside and dynamic mountain slopes.

The vineyards around the region and into nearby Corbiere, Fitou and Minervois are open to visitors. The contrast between the small villages such as Collioure and the larger towns such as Beziers, Carcassonne and the fabulous cities of Montpelier in France or Girona in Spain make your stay incredibly varied. All have places to park and Tourist Offices which help you to easily find your way round.

It is still very ‘French’ but the shops/restaurants can speak English; the people are friendly and helpful. The food is influenced by a mixture of French and Spanish cuisine. Fish is the main protein but we all like the bread and aioli – a garlic mayonnaise which is fab.

There is a wide pavement for walking and cycling by the sea and the flatness means it is enjoyable; the marina and harbour wall are perfect for evening walks. It feels very safe at night.

There is a market most days and local food/wine is easy to buy. Some shops and supermarkets sell prepared local dishes which makes life very easy if you have decided to eat at home.

Parking is not a problem outside August. The flat land at Canet Plage means that cycling, running and walking are serious leisure pursuits along the very long coastal road. Many people enjoy cycling along the sea road to the next town of St Cyprien, stopping for a swim or a beer and then cycling home.

Perpignan airport is only 20 minutes by car. The airport at Girona is only an hour away which gives great flexibility for flights. The rail link from Perpignan to Barcelona is being updated for December 2009 so that the journey time will be 11/2 hours which means that you can visit Spain for a day!

The long sandy beach which is never overcrowded and safe for young children.

Canet Plage offers visitors easy choices for activities which suit all interests- it is sometimes difficult to find time to sit in a bar and read the newspaper!(Or so my husband moans!!).

Written by Linda Tooher - Owner of Property 93985 in Canet-Plage, France