L'Atelier, a tranquil retreat with pool in its own valley 30 miles from the sea

L'Atelier at Can Llouquette is a recently renovated holiday apartment, ideally suited for up to four people, though one additional child can also be accommodated. It is private, has it’s own entrance, a well-equipped kitchen, living room, double bedroom with ensuite, double bedroom with an extra single bed and ensuite. It is a separate building and has it’s own entrance as well as a terrace with BBQ and garden furniture.

Can Llouquette itself is an old apple farmstead with several buildings set in 20 acres. It has a large child-friendly pool set in a mature garden with lawn surrounded by forest and hills. We have a vegetable garden, meadows and about 1km of stream which has a plunge pool, picnic tables, BBQ, swings (and in high summer hammocks).

What makes Can Llouquette extra special is that it is set in its very own little valley. It is extremely private with no neighbours. We are surrounded by nature and there is no light pollution so the night sky is a delight. At night all you are likely to hear is the stream, the fountain, owls, boar and the occasional bark of roe deer. We have our own animals including chickens. Gorgeous mountain walks are possible from the house and within a short driving distance.

This is real unadulterated nature. It is stunningly beautiful and peaceful and at times capricious and unpredictable it is nature as few city people encounter in modern life. For us it is intoxicating. We have had to learn to become totally self-reliant. If you are the kind of person that thrives on busy towns and constant connectivity it is most likely not for you: we have no TVs, mobile reception is poor in the mountains, we do have Wifi (but we cannot always guarantee that because of storms). But instead of this you get the sound of the river, glorious sunshine, occasional wild summer storms, balmy evenings and lots and lots of peace.

It is this that makes it the perfect peaceful rural location to escape modern life, because you are truly enveloped in nature. The perfect place to detox and completely disengage from the pressures of the daily grind.

And yet, amidst all of this peace, our small village with bakery, cafe and restaurant is only 5 minutes away. And the sleepy medieval villages and market towns of Serralongue, Prats-de-Mollo and Amélie-les-Bains as well as Céret (and Camprodon in Spain) are all within easy driving distance. Wonderful seaside towns like Collioure on the Mediterranean and the beaches and bays of the Côte Vermeille are only an hour away.

This is the Eastern Pyrenees, the most southerly valley in France. It is an area of outstanding natural beauty only thirty miles from the Mediterranean at the start of the Pyrenean mountain range. We are only 25 minutes from Spain and can be reached from Girona or Barcelona, as well as Perpignan airports. In fact there are six airports that service this area. We are happy to give advice on travel.

We have four restored private and secluded holiday cottages for rental:

- L'Atelier (for four to six people)
- Le Pommier (for two people)
- La Bergerie (for four people) and
- El Casot (for two people)

Each accommodation is secluded and private so you can choose how much or how little you wish to interact with ourselves and the other guests.

We have restored the property and land over the 15 years we have lived here. We love all the area has to offer and can give plenty of advice to help you get the best out of your holiday: be that markets, things to do with children, walks, the best restaurants etc.

We speak English, French, German and Spanish and are happy to help in anyway we can.

Simon, Ashley & Sophia