My best time starts in the Morning. I love to stay in bed watching the morning dizzines do feed away uncovering the splendid view over the Roussilon plein. (I have included a photo with this morning view out of the bed room window in this listing to share it with you.)
When my husband gets up, he first checks out, if he can see Queribus. Queribus is a half ruind medieval cathar castle on the other side of the Roussillon plein. You have to really know, where to look and have good eyes to see it, as it is 70 Km away, but it has always been a sign for the clear weather he loves so much in this region. We are still discussing, if we can see Peyrepertuse, (the other big cathar castle of the Corbières, where Josephine lived) but there might be a mountain in between.
It's also an advantage that the house is situated in the Domaine des Alberes, a part of the village that is still well above the medieval centre and the castle of Laroque on the slopes of the Alberes, as we share a big swimming pool that is kept clean on a dayly basis (and tennis court) in this community. Otherwise it's a quiet, tranquil place, but close to the lively coastal towns and beaches if you want to spend the day on the beach. Since the Chemin du Vilar ends just above the house, there is hardly any traffic. Only mountain bikers can be seen torturing themselves up the mountain because of the rewarding view. (How nice that we only have to sit on the terrace to enjoy it. ;-) Just above the house there are several walking and hiking trails that lead through the Alberes up to Noillos, the highest mountain of the Alberes.
I also enjoy the surrounding villages, like St Genis, Sorede, St André, Argeles-sur-mer, Collioure, Port Vendres, Brouilla, Bages, Elne and of caus Laroque itself, when I go down to do my daily grocery shopping. All of them have medieval structures and in addition to the typical tranquil landscape marked by a wine-growing tradition, they also hold some wonderful cultural treasures.