Welcome to
I Sem Be
A villa and studio with a swimming pool overlooking the medieval town of Céret, in the foothills of the Pyrénées close to the Mediterranean.
About the Holiday Home
The swimming pool, looking towards the Pyrénées
I Sem Be means “Here one feels good” in the Catalan language. This single-storey brick villa and separate studio were built in the 1970s in the Spanish Catalan style, with panoramic views of the medieval town of Céret, looking towards the Pyrénées. The property is set in large private and secluded grounds, planted with a variety of trees and plants, with plenty of room to relax in the shade. The 10x5 metre pool is surrounded by a terraced area, and enjoys the same combination of privacy with excellent views. The pool is visible from the living room window and the terrace outside the living room, so parents can easily watch their children.
The living area in the villa
Both the villa and the studio are rented together, and accommodate up to seven guests. Longer rentals are available upon request. The villa has two bedrooms – a master bedroom with a queen size bed and an ensuite bathroom with a jacuzzi, and another bedroom, also with an ensuite bathroom, with a double bed. The studio has a mezzanine with two single beds and a sofa bed in the living area.
In the villa, a large kitchen / living / dining area faces wide French doors with a view of mountains and valleys, admitting plenty of natural light. The open-plan American-style kitchen is fully equipped, while in the living area, a pair of sofas and two armchairs surround a television with video, a fireplace, and a walnut bookcase. The dining area has a table for eight, and all furnishings are solid wood.
The living area and mezzanine in the studio
The independent split level studio is a short distance from the main villa. The living area has a sofa bed, rattan sofa and armchair, and coffee table. The mezzanine area has two single beds, wardrobe and bathroom. From the living area, a large French door leads onto a private terrace with panoramic views, which takes in the magnificent 3000 metre Mt Canigou to the West, valleys and towns to the North, and the Mediterranean to the East. The property enjoys great privacy, and is separated from the nearest neighbour by a few hundred metres of forest. The owners do not reside on site.
| Special features: |
• Pool on the property
• Bilingual assistance available on site
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| Swimming pool: |
5 X 10 metre private pool |
Location
About the Area
Panoramic view from the house of surrounding countryside & Mediterranean sea
The medieval town of Céret is five minutes’ drive from the villa. The town has three supermarkets, as well as butchers, bakeries, fruit and vegetable sellers and some great cafés with plenty of outdoor tables. Céret's Saturday market is a regional attraction offering home made cheeses, cured meat, fresh oysters, Roussillon wine and fresh fruit and vegetables. There is a great variety of restaurants in Céret and within a 15-minute drive, ranging from pizzerias to fine dining establishments. Some of the greatest modern artists, including Picasso, Chagall, and Braque, all lived in Céret during the twentieth century, and the local Museum of Modern Art features their works.
Folk dancing in Céret
I Sem Be is located amid some of the region’s most scenic hiking trails, ranging from beginner to advanced. Among the other activities available locally: a hang-gliding facility is close by; the sea is 30 minutes away, with sailing and windsurfing available; rugby is very popular in the region with matches happening frequently; and everyone, including tourists, plays
pétanque. The ski resorts of Les Angles, Font-Romeu and Andorra offer great winter sports. Attractions for children include a turtle park in Sorède, and wildlife parks in Sigean and Les Angles. July brings the Feria del Toros with bulls running through the narrow streets and bullfighting in the arena. In August, the big Sardane festival features traditional Catalan folk dancing. Concerts, including classical, jazz and pop take place throughout the year.
About the Region
One of the medieval Cathar castles in the region
Just minutes from the Spanish border, Céret is located in the most southerly region of metropolitan France. The great medieval fortress of Carcassonne is an hour's drive. The town was a vital fortification of the “heretical” Cathar sect, which was brutally suppressed in the 13th century. Today, Carcassonne offers entertainment for all ages, including re-enactments of historic events including weddings and crossbowmanship in full costume. The finest restaurant in the precincts of the fortress has a Michelin Star.
The old port town of Collioure on the Mediterranean
The region has several restorative baths, which have been sought by travelers since ancient times. Amélie-les-Bains and Les Thermes du Boulou are 15 or 20 minutes drive, while the waters of St Thomas and Vernet-les-Bains are a bit more than an hour away. On the Spanish side of the border, it’s a half hour’s drive to Figuères, home of the Dali Museum. The towns of the bordering Spanish province of Gerona provide plenty to enjoy on a day trip, from gastronomy to spectacular mountain views. The vibrant city of Barcelona, a major tourist attraction, is a 2-hour drive, and is a good destination for direct flights from North America. The property is half an hour's drive from both Perpignan and Gerona airports, to which Ryanair and ValueJet fly from London Stansted and other European airports. The region enjoys warm Mediterranean winds and lots of sunshine; it is possible to dine out of doors almost all the time between May and October.
Photo Album
The living area in the villa
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The living area in the studio
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The kitchen in the villa
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The master bedroom's ensuite bathroom, with jacuzzi
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One of the double bedrooms in the villa
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The second double bedroom in the villa
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The market in Céret
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The nearby village of Eus in the Pyrénées
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Guest Opinions
It is an artist’s home. A house that was devised and designed by and for an artist. Everything inside it has a story that tells us about the world or the past. About the world, because pottery and rugs are reminiscent of an elsewhere ; about the past because woodwork and old furniture are there, together in order to give a reassuring atmosphere to this place, just like the one our ancestors left us, the one which grandchildren like to curl up inside in total confidence. I Sem Be is the name of this place. The Catalan language, all singing and warm, expresses with these words “I feel good there”. And, as a matter of fact … I do feel good there.
Marie-Noëlle & Eric V. - Brussels, Belgium
