Has anyone stayed in Cerbere? We're considering it as a home base for a week because of its easy train connections to nearby destinations in both France and Spain. We like small towns, but not too small. We're hoping for at least a couple of decent bistros or cafes, and a market for the basics. We also prefer self-catering rather than hotels, but a hotel or B&B isn't completely out of the question. (This is one week of a six-week period we'll be in France -- our third long trip there -- so this home base will just be to focus on the Mediterranean coast south of Narbonne. We're hoping to skip the car rental for this part.)
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
I think you might be better 3 train stops back on the French side to Collioure. Note that you don't have 'through' local trains across the frontier - there is a rail gauge change from France to Spain.
Posted by
OP
San Diego
4 posts
Thanks, David. Have you stayed in Collioure? From everything I read it's crowded and touristy -- that's why we were looking for an alternative.
Posted by
Washington DC
28083 posts
I've never been to Cerbere, and I don't remember reading anything about it, either. Some border towns are a bit grim, so I hope we hear something encouraging from another poster.
I enjoyed Collioure on a day-trip, but it is indeed popular with our fellow tourists. One of its advantages for me was the window-shopping for crafts. If you're not into that, the fact that there are a lot of tourists to support all those craft shops would not be a benefit.
I used Perpignan as my base for that part of France. As I had read, it's not one of those places that is gorgeous everywhere you look. It's not quite on the coast, and it's larger than you want. But it's the transportation hub for the area, with 1€ bus fares to many of the surrounding towns. I think you can also take the yellow train to Latour de Carol as a day-trip.
I can't recommend Argeles. I only saw it ftom the bus, not getting to the port, which I assume is of some interest. But it sermed surrounded by holiday-apartment blocks--so many of them that the bus made something like 5 stops in that one town.
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
When we were in Colliore one June it was not crowded, and did not have a big touresty vibe. (Sure, there were cafes and hotels and a boat ride.)
It is probably about the right size for you, but personally I would not want to spend a whole week there, though it was pleasant.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
No Deb, I haven't stayed or even paid a visit. I have driven the nearby coast a few times, spending time on the Spanish side, and it's stunningly dramatic. I have changed trains at Cerberus in days past. It didn't look appealing, but I guess that was the Station area.
Posted by
Washington DC
28083 posts
If you are willing to be near but not right on the coast, check out Elne. I haven't been there, but two different sources had positive things to say about it, and I don't think it has been mentioned more than once on this forum in the last year or two. That's no guarantee that it won't be full of British and French tourists, of course.
Posted by
Amsterdam
574 posts
I have stayed in Collioure 6, maybe 8 times. I find it charming and relaxing. (the grocery closes from 1200 to 2:00). It is a tourist town, but not in the sense of a US town. Tourists tend to be low key. Brits, French, Spanish. Folks just hanging out on the beach(es) or sitting in the cafes. Lots of families. I would caution that you should secure reservations in advance. I like Le Mas de la Citronniers Hotel, but I have also stayed with HomeAway (cliff house overlooking the sea) and was very pleased.
It has a Saturday market, and maybe one mid week. A couple of small food shops, and the aforementioned grocery. Lots of restaurants, cafes, and carry out places.
Nice train station. About a 10 minute walk into the central part of town. I know it's closed on Sunday. Might also be closed on Sat.