Casa St Elme, Modern South of France Villa, Heated Pool, Hot Tub, Air-Con, Walking Distance to the Coast [PY003A]

Collioure - Contemporary holiday villa with heated pool and hot tub to rent in the South of France to sleep 8

Sleek and modern this villa has 4 double bedrooms all with their own private terraces and en suite bathrooms. The master bedroom even has a Hot Tub on the very private back terrace facing the side of the mountain.  

Spacious living area has a huge partially covered terrace which overlooks the suspended pool and the Collioure foothills. The infinity pool on the terrace looks out over the coastal hills surrounding Collioure. 

The villa is nevertheless, close to the action and it takes only appx 15/20 minutes to walk into the centre of Collioure with its beaches and restaurants. Collioure boasts one of the best and most gastronomic restaurants in the region, as well as small galleries, boutiques, and a scuba diving center. 

Collioure has been made reknown by the 'Fauvist' painters from famous names such as Picasso to Matisse and Derain to Dufy, because of the magical quality of light and colour in this small Catalan harbour.

This is also a remarkable wine-growing area between the Mediterranean Sea and the foothills of the Pyrenees - the districts of Collioure, Port-Vendres, Banyuls, and Cerbère. The owner of the property has an affiliation with 'Le Clos San Sebastian' a wine domaine in Banyuls, so client visits to the cave and wine tastings can be arranged.

South of France Quality Villa to rent in Collioure to sleep 8

Enter via the 17 stone steps that lead up to the upper floor of the villa, with its swimming pool area and its panoramic views of hilly scenery around Collioure. The partially covered terrace with plenty of contemporary outside furniture including sun loungers and outside lighting is simply stunning.  

On this level, through the sliding glass French windows you will find the large open plan living and dining area. The lounge area has comfortable and stylish furniture.

The kitchen area is state of the art and beautifully sleek and stylish. It is fully equipped.

Stairs from the dining room lead downstairs to the lower floor to the 4 bedrooms and their en suite bathrooms.

Bedroom 1 - has a 160cm double bed and an en suite with a shower and French windows that open out onto an individual terrace with outdoor sofas.

Bedroom 2 - has an open plan dressing and en suite area with steps down to the bedroom area. There is a 160cm double bed and another terrace with outdoor seating.

Please note that Bedroom 1 and Bedroom 2 share a separate WC.

Bedroom 3 - similarly has a large en suite with bath and wc and then steps that lead down to the main bedroom area where there is a 160cm double bed and French doors leading our onto the terrace that is shared with the second bedroom.

Bedroom 4 - Master Bedroom has its own terrace with Hot Tub and outdoor seating. It has a 160cm double bed and an integral open plan bathroom area with bath and a separate wc. There is also a flat screen TV.

Hot Tub on the terrace is set in a pergola with a roof that opens, it has curtains and multicoloured lighting.

Downstairs there is also a laundry room with a washing machine and a dryer.

This South of France Villa is well equipped

Washing machine
Dish washer
Tumble dryer
American style Fridge
Oven
Microwave
Electric Kettle
Toaster
Iron
Hairdryer
2 Travel cots and 2 high chairs

Table football

TV in each bedroom and French Satellite channels and one or two English speaking news channels

Video-recorder, Radio, CD, DVD
Wi-Fi throughout the Villa (including outdoor cover on the terraces)

Infinity Heated Swimming pool (Possibility to be Heated May, June, September and October)

Hot Tub on the Master Bedroom private terrace

Garden furniture including a "Cocoon" type hammock, gym equipment - an exercise bike and a rowing machine and relaxers around the Hot Tub.

Visiophone for opening the gate

Car Parking

Possibility of visits to 'Le Clos San Sebastian' a wine domaine in Banyuls, where wine tastings can be arranged.

The villas' forte is that it has 4 individual terraces - the living room and all the bedrooms give out on to the terraces.

Large infinity style heated swimming pool (possibility to be heated May, June, September and October) with a traditional ladder for access.

The biggest terrace is the main one facing the large suspended swimming pool on the upper level. This terrace has stylish and sleek sun loungers, comfortable sofas and coffee tables as well as a dining 'room' - which serves as an outside extension of the dining and living room areas inside the house.

The terrace has an outdoor dining area with a table and chairs perfect for the breakfast, sun-set 'aperitif' or simply watching the maginificent stars at night.  

All of the bedrooms lead onto terraces with contemporary outdoor furniture - the 2 downstairs bedroom share a large terrace with its own contemporary sofa and table, whereas the master bedroom has a huge private terrace with hot tub, sun loungers and an outside sofa.

A "Cocoon" type hammock for those who want to get away from it all!

The villa is the perfect example of inside-outside living. From the pool terrace you can see the ancient fortress, the fort St Elme, which is lit up at night.

There is one garage at the villa and two private parking spaces for the property outside the gates.

The villa is situated in a peaceful and quiet impasse.

Collioure has, and still is, a source of inspiration for artists. Writers, poets, singers and painters fall under it's charm - famous names such as Picasso, Matisse, Derain (the Masters of Fauvism - the style of Les Fauves - wild brushwork and strident colours), Dufy Chagall, Marquet - set up their easels here and immortalized the small Catalan harbor in their works.

With numerous galleries and many artists from all over the world, Collioure still is the ”City of Painters, the "village of light". In the old quarter, a myriad of narrow alleys, steps, tall, brightly painted houses, tumbling bouganvillea and geraniums, artists studios, small shops are delight to wander round, very different now from the days when fishermen and sailors lived there, the smell of salting anchovies heavy on the air, open drains running down the cobbles, washing slung from house to house. The brilliant colouring of the houses began with the fishermen using up paint left over from decorating their Catalan Barques, boats, in those days, taking priority over houses.

Dotted all around Collioure are 12 picture frames on stands, steps allow you to look through the frame and each one gives a differing view of the famous clocher of Collioure.

Street performers and entertainers abound in the summer holiday months, evenings are alive with entertainment - festivals and fireworks galore. Restaurants to suit every taste. Don’t miss the bar in the legendary Hotel des Templiers where the walls are hard to see so close together are the paintings.

Under the plane trees every Wednesday and Sunday a lively market takes place. The other most famous attraction are Anchovies!

For centuries, a much sought-after treasure of nature has been part of Collioure's traditions: anchovies. This fish is the basis for many typical Catalan dishes and is still prepared in the original traditional manner. Because of this culinary tradition the French ministries of culture and agriculture granted Collioure an award called ”site remarquable du goût” (”site of culinary excellence”). The exceeding dexterity of the women who filet the tiny blue fishes is remarkable. No machine has ever been used for the different steps of processing: salting, removing the heads, gutting, filleting, packing and conserving. No matter whether the anchovies are plain, salted, in vinegar, or in oil, they make a delicious starter.

This is also a remarkable wine-growing area between the Mediterranean Sea and the foothills of the Pyrenees - the districts of Collioure, Port-Vendres, Banyuls, and Cerbère.

From these grapes the A.O.C. wines Banyuls and Collioure are produced. Take a moment when raising your glass to the hard labour involved making these wines due to the steep slopes on which the vines grow and can only be worked by hand.

The owner of the property has an affiliation with 'Le Clos San Sebastian' a wine domaine in Banyuls, so client visits to the cave and wine tastings can be arranged.

Don't forget to try the local Croquants - hand made almond biscuits!

The Museum of Modern Art in Collioure was founded by Jean Peské in 1930. Antonio Machado, the great Spanish Poet, fled Franco's Spain in 1939 exiled himself in Collioure until his death - his memory is still honoured by inviting entries in an international poetry competition every February.

Collioure's village festivals celebrate their roots the Catalan culture is maintained and passed on through language, dances (like the Sardana), and music (like the cobles - dance musicians with historic shawms - woodwind instruments).  The Festival of St Vincent, around 15th August, is a sight to see - magnificent fireworks and pontoons floating from the Chateau Royal walls.

Forts surrounding Collioure are many:
Miradou, St Elme, Dugommier, Carre and Rond and of these the only one still in use militarily is Fort Miradou. Transformed by Vauban out of an ancient medieval chateau it is now the Centre National d’Entrainement Commando, possibly the most beautiful garrison in France, at least in terms of position.

Both Collioure and Port-Vendres are deep sea ports with Marinas with berths available for boats and super yachts from 5m-80m length.

Over the border into Spain is a stone's throw from Collioure - why not veture to Figureres and check out the Dali Museum - certainly thought provoking!

Or for that lifetime gourmet experience why not go to the famous - El Celler de Roca run by the 3 Roca Brothers in nearby Girona once voted Best Restaurant in the World  - making the waiting list now up to 6 months -it will give one time to save up!

For more information about this region, please refer to our Languedoc Regional Guide

ACCESS

For information on reaching Languedoc, please refer to our South France Travel Information Guide

40 minutes to Perpignan Airport - (Ryanair and Flybe)

75 minutes to Girona Airport, Spain - (Ryanair)

90 minutes to Carcassonne Airport - (Ryanair to Stansted, East Midlands, Glasgow Prestwick, Leeds Bradford, Liverpool, Manchester, Cork and Dublin).

This South of France villa is close to local amenities 

Approx 20 minutes' walk to the centre of Collioure where you will find a few town beaches, small supermarkets, shops, cafes, restaurants and boutiques. (approx 1000 meters along a quiet road)

Lively market every Wednesday and Sunday under the plane trees.

Beaches in Collioure village, where you can sit in one of the cafes along the beachfront and watch the world go by.

10 minute drive to Plage de Paulilles with winery and restaurant.

Close by is the renowned Restaurant La Voile de Neptune and Hotel Relais des Trois Mas.

Le 5me Peche is a Japanese Chef influenced restaurant in Collioure centre

'Au Casot' Restaurant is on St Vincent Plage - looks very casual on the beach - very good for fresh fish and sumptuous deserts - worth the walk over.

The owner of the property has an affiliation with 'Le Clos San Sebastian' a wine domaine in Banyuls, so client visits to the cave and wine tastings can be arranged.

Headland walks with fantastic views around Collioure and Port-Vendres with local Vineyards offering degustations.

Many Anchovy factories and outlets selling the local speciality.

A visit to Port-Vendres Fish market "Cote Catalan Poissonerie" is well worth it.

Neraby activities include:

Golf, equestrian, tennis (6 courts at the Collioure Tennis Club including 2 grass), boat charter, scooter/bike hire.

Biodiversarium in Banyuls.

Close to the Scuba Diving waters of the Golfe du Lion.

Boat and Bike Hire in Collioure and in nearby Port Vendres