James TULLOCH's selection of French property for sale

About my area

The Pyrenees Orientales is the last department on the south west coast of France before reaching the Spanish border and is one of the sunniest departments in France. There are excellent transport links with Perpignan airport and Beziers, Carcassonne, Montpellier in France and Gerona airport in Spain all within easy reach. Perpignan train station which, Salvador Dali called “el centre del mon”, and the centre of the world provides the TGV link to Paris and will soon be open to Barcelona. The region is part of Catalonia and Catalan is widely spoken and the Catalan people are very proud and friendly people. It is an area of incredible contrasts from the snow capped Pyrenees and the sacred mount Canigou, the fields of cherry, peach and apricot orchards of the Conflent valley, the vineyards of the Caramany area and the beautiful Mediterranean beaches. On the coast is the beautiful old fishing port of Colliuore where many famous artists went to paint due to the quality of the light and artists still exhibit their work in the streets. It’s because of these contrasts that it is one of the most amazing places to live. There are very few places where, during the winter you can go skiing and the next day you can be on one of the beaches enjoying the sun. The cultural city of Perpignan is always busy with many different fetes such as “les jeudis de Perpignan” where every Thursday evening for several weeks during July and August the streets come alive with a variety of music and street acts. Or in September there is the well renowned Visa photographic exhibition. The bustling market town of Prades in the Conflent valley hosts the famous Pablo Casals music festival during August. There are a host of sporting activities available throughout the year from walking, skiing, canyoning, horse riding, scuba diving and snorkelling in the natural marine reserves and always in most spectacular scenery. Why not be brave and walk to the top of mount Canigou or for those who love running, run to the top and back down again in the annual Canigou race!

About me

I first came here on holiday with my wife 20 years ago and the area had us spellbound from the moment we arrived, which meant that we came back to the same place every year and found it harder to leave each time. In 1998 we decided that it was time to give it a go and move, even if it was only for a year out of the rat race but 17 years later we are still here and very settled. During that time we have bought, renovated 2 old houses, converted a barn and sold .we now have 3 children who have all been born here and are all completely bilingual. Working as an agent for Leggett is the perfect job for me as I get to visit some amazing properties and get to match the right people to the right houses. I look forward to meeting you and helping to make your French dream become a reality!