Buying/Renting in the Roussillon

Here are some thoughts on Buying and renting in the Roussillon.
Property sales have dried up, due to a few minor factors. The pound has reduced against the euro by about 20% and yes the banks have stopped giving mortgages.
At the same time though, property prices have reduced in the Roussillon by between 15 and 20 percent, so there is a rough net balance for your money.
Also, if you can get a mortgage (yes it is possible) then interest rates have never been lower. We even know of a bank that is actively trying to increase its property portfolio and is therefore offering some very competitive rates. So maybe now is the time to make the most of the property market !!!!!!!!!!

The long term rental market has definitely seen an increase over the last couple of years, there seem to be three main reasons for this.

1. More and more people, who can, are escaping the damp grey winters of the UK, so the winter market has been strong. 
2. More people seem to be happy to move to this area of France and take out a long term rental of 3 years + 
3. and then there is the fastest growing market, these are the people who are looking to buy, have made their decision to move to France but want to test drive the region whilst they  look for their dream home in the sun.

So what to do.... In my humble opinion If you have made the decision to move to France, then there is no better time to move than now!

• You can rent whilst you look and maybe wait for the £ to improve. Be warned though, as the £ improves, the price of houses will soon go up as well. There are some great mortgage deals (if you can get them) and property price reductions have negated the reduction of the pound.
• Find an Estate agent in the area you want to move to that can also act as a search agent. They can then introduce you to any properties in the area, even if it is not on their own books. You will receive a more personal service and have far more chance of finding the right property, whilst being helped through the french legal system.
• This market situation does also give an opportunity for property owners, to maximise rentals throughout the year by opening up the property to winter lets.
• It may also be an opportunity if you are trying to sell your house and it just isn't shifting. Place it on a long term rental site, if you get a good long term rental, take it off the market and wait until things get better but with your overheads being covered......

Here are some contacts to help with your property needs

Property Rentals - Ceret Property

Property Owners - Advertise

Property Sales - Rivirera Home Finders

Mortgages - Contact Us

Let's compare the weather

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Last weekend the family got together in the UK to celebrate the 18th and 21st birthdays of my nieces. We flew out of Girona on Friday night, as you can see the sun was shining and the temperature was about 20 degs. We landed in Bournemouth some 1 1/2 hours later, after a delightful flight on Ryanair........... We had heard that the weather might be a little on the wild side in the Uk but had a moment at about 200 foot above the ground when we thought we might not live to enjoy the rain, as the cross winds caused the planes wings to dip alarmingly. Surfice to say, the pilot was up to the challenge and we arrived safely.

We had a wonderful time with the family, the girls were particularly made up, as they got to see a good selection of their cousins.

I digress, I was talking about the weather as we brits tend to do, anyway we knew we were back in Blighty as the winds whipped up, the clouds covered the grey land and the heavens opened. Ahh to be home again. Just another great reason to be settled back here in The Roussillon, in my T Shirt.

Looking for something to do today in The Roussillon?

ANTIQUES & VIDE GRENIERS (Beziers)

Brocante & Vide Grenier

Every Wed

Brocante and vide grenier, every Wednesday at the Parking de la Cave Co-opérative from 06:00-17:00.

MUSIC: ROCK, POP & COUNTRY (Beziers)

Roch Voisine: Americana

On: Wednesday, November 18, 2009

French singer Roch Voisine gives a concert of country & western hits from his latest album Americana, at Zinga Zanga at 20:30. Tickets €45. Tel: 04 67 48 13 36.

EVENTS & FESTIVALS (montpellier)

Cirque Medrano International Festival

From: Friday, November 13, 2009 To: Sunday, November 22, 2009

International circus acts at the Parc des Expositions. The festival is on the 13th, 17th & 20th at 18:00 & 20:30, the 14th, 18th & 21st at 14:30, 17:30 & 20:30, Sundays 15th & 22nd at 10:30, 14:30 & 17:30 and the 16th & 19th at 19:30. See the web-site for further information.

MUSIC: JAZZ, BLUES & SOUL (montpellier)

Larry Carlton

On: Wednesday, November 18, 2009

American jazz and blues guitarist Larry Carlton is in concert at JAM at 21:00. Tel: 04 67 58 30 30.

ART & EXHIBITIONS (perpignan)

Exhibition of Restored Renaissance Paintings

From: Tuesday, September 15, 2009 To: Friday, January 15, 2010

After a two year period of restauration the CCRP present an exhibition of Roussillon paintings from the Renaissance period. The exhibition is held at Chapelle Notre-Dame des Anges, 32 rue Foch, and is open from 09:00-17:00. Tel: 04 68 85 89 40.

MUSIC: WORLD & FOLK (carcassonne)

Dominique A

On: Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Singer-composer Dominique A is in concert at the Théâtre Jean-Alary at 20:30. Tickets from 10-€25. Tel: 04 68 25 33 13.

CHILDREN'S EVENTS (serignan)

English Storytime

Every Wed From: Wednesday, November 18, 2009 To: Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Lisa Le Mentec reads stories in English for children aged five and over, at the Médiatheque every third Wednesday of the month from November to May, between 10:30-11:30. Tel: 04 67 32 42 21.

Cities of the Roussillon

In my slightly bias view of the Roussillon, it is by far one of the most beautiful and interesting areas to visit in La Belle France. I have mentioned specific pretty or historical areas in the past but thought I would go for something a little larger today, so here is a little information about the major cities of the region.

Béziers

Beziers, in the heart of the Languedoc wine country, is marked by its cathedral that stands proudly between L’Orbs and the Canal du Midi. Beziers’s proximity toSpain is also evident here: the bullfights in August set the town on fire.
www.beziers-tourisme.fr

Carcassonne

The medieval walled town lies on the right bank of the river Aude and is featured on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. It has 52 towers and 2 rings of town walls making a total of 3 km of battlements. It boasts a large number of shops and craftsmen

www.carcassonne.org

Montpellier

Montpellier is a cultural, scientific and artistic crossroads with an incomparable heritage. L’Ecusson, with its Place de la Comedie, dominated by the opera house, stretches all the way to the new Antigone quarter designed by Ricardo Bofill. The narrow streets, lined by many 17^th and 18^th century mansions, lead to St Peter’s cathedral, the western world’s oldest medical school, the Place Royale du Peyrou and the botanical gardens created during the reign of Henry IV.
www.ot-montpellier.fr

Narbonne

Narbonne, the Visigoth kings’ former residence and capital of the Roman Septimania, is devoted to the Mediterranean art of living and marks the dividing line between Languedoc and Roussillon. The Archbishops’ Palace in the historic town and its 40-meter high fortified tower stand on the ruins of the Gallo-Roman ramparts and the via Domitia, overlooking the town.
www.mairie-narbonne.fr

Nimes

Nimes, a beautiful, laid-back bourgeois city, displays its ancient roots and, during the Whitsun and Grape Harvest festivals, becomes an outpost of Spain, with bodegas vibrating all night to the beat of “penas”.
www.ot-nimes.fr

Perpignan

Perpignan, at the foot of the Pyrenees, is graced with the heritage of the kings of Majorca. In the 20^thcentury, Salvador Dali called it “the center of the world” because Picasso, Miro, Matisse, Derain and Chagall worked there creating new styles of painting.
www.perpignantourisme.com www.ceretproperty.com

Pézenas

Its magnificent stately homes and 17^th century mansions lining narrow streets plunge you into a delightfully refined atmosphere. Nearby Pezenas is the birthplace of Molière.
www.ot-pezenas-valdherault.com

Sète

Between the Mediterranean Sea and the Etang de Thau, Sète offers an authentic fishing port in the centre of town, the spectacle of its typical neighbourhoods with their colored facades, crossed by canals, and the daily return of the fishing boats.
www.ot-sete.fr

My thanks to france guide for some of the above infomation

Armistice Day in Ceret

Have just paid my respects, along with the world to those who fell in the first world war and after, made more poignant by the return of the 6 soldiers just yesterday, who gave their lives.

We started in true Southern French fashion, late, at about 11:30 but what does that matter in the bigger scales of things.

Flowers were laid at the memorial, speeches were made and the band played The Last Post. A group from the local school sang La Marseillaise, the band then followed with their instrumental version.

I was struck by the difference between the services that I have attended in England, where the event is lead by the church, Here (Ceret) there was not a single member of the clergy in attendance. I am not sure why this is the case but it just struck me as different.

All in all it was a respectful and touching service with everyone from 1 - 90+.

I am also grateful to the Town of Ceret, for as the last notes of the Marseillaise faded away, they were replaced by the resounding sound of the British National Anthem.

Wine and nibbles followed in the Salle de Union.

Thank you

Barcelona Boat Show

Barcelona Boat Show 7 - 15 November 2009.

Would you like to go?

A good friend of Ceret Property has a couple of tickets to the show which they cannot use themselves.....

So if you fancy an excuse to go to Barcelona for the day and take in the the Boat Show, just send me and email and the tickets are yours.

I only have the two tickets, so first come, first served.

Yet another reason to enjoy Catalan/Catalonya

Christmas Market

I was absolutely delighted to receive an email from Rachel at Domaine Treloar, informing me that they have had some visits by people who have read my blog. So thanks to those who read the blog and to Rachel for letting me know that there is someone out there.

Rachel has told me about the FAB-PO Christmas fair, so I have popped the french and english invites above (just click on the image to see larger version) and heartily recommend a visit. Last year was a great success, with many more people visiting than expected. I am sure that with all the hard work being put into this year, it will be equally as successful.

Here are a few outline details for the day.

It is on Sunday 29th of November

Place: village hall/salle polyvalente,

Village: Saint Jean Pla de Cort

Time: kick-off 11 am to 5pm

There will be english food, Cakes, Santa, Pottery for kids, Xmas gifts, Art, Carol singing etc

Massive Tombola where 25% goes to Cancer Support France 66 region.

I do know that FAB-PO are looking for volunteers to help with the day, so if you have something to contribute or time to give, then please follow this link to see how you can get involved. http://fab-po.blogspot.com/

Did you know that scattered throughout the Pyrenees, there is a network of Refuges. This particular refuges is located just above Ceret in the southern Pyrenees Orientales, literally a stones throw from the Spanish border. This refuge consists of a main room with table, benches and a large open fire (great for bbq). A second room with enough bunking for 6 and a wood burning stove. At the back of the refuge is a cattle pen, just in case you bring your cows or sheep.

The refuges around the area are still being used by the local farmers and shepherds but are also available for walkers who are doing the popular pyrenees trails or families who want to experience the great outdoors.

Be prepared before visiting the refuge, as there is only stream water and no electricity and.................for those of you out there whose children think that a good family night is all playing on the Wii then be prepared to have a conversation or play an old fashioned game or two or three or four.

We had a great time the other night, with 9 of us camped round a fire and cooking up a great bbq.

Our refuge was built in 1932 but after years of neglect, fell into disrepair. A few years ago, thanks to a group of locals, including some Brits, the refuge was repaired and is as you can see from above usable again

For more information on Refuges, Bookable or not......

Cabanes et Refuges

Pyrenees National Park

Hiking the Pyrenees

List to some more refuges

Prefer a more comfortable night?