7 Reasons to Visit Céret
7. Plane trees. They’re all over France and other parts of Europe, but the
ones in Céret feel especially spectacular. Maybe because they’ve been
painted by famous artists. Or it could be the other way around – famous
artists want to paint them because they’re so spectacular. Just looking at
them will lift your spirits. This view of Céret’s plane trees is by a lesser known
artist, Jean Marchand:
6. The Pyrenees. Céret sits on the northern flank of this great mountain
range. In fact it’s possible to hike over the mountains into Spain – which
people escaping the Nazis did during World War II. The Pic du Canigou
(9000+ feet) is a prominent landmark to the west. Is it magic – or sacred?
5. Historic stuff surrounds you. The Pont du Diable, for one example. Built in
1321, it is a single arch bridge 150 feet long that soars some 73 feet above
the Tech River. For hundreds of years, until the early 20th century, it was the
main route between the two shores. It was the longest (known) arched
bridge when it was built and – not surprisingly – the devil was said to have
had a hand in its construction.
4. But there’s much more. There’s the Eglise St. Pierre, also from the 14th
century, and did we mention the beautiful medieval stone walls?
3. The art: Artists came here and still come, and the town reflects the
creative spirit. Picasso left his mark – he was a founder of the Musée d’Art
Moderne de Céret. This photo from the museum does not contain an image
of Picasso!
2. Food and drink. Okay, it’s France, after all. Cheese, wine, bread, fruit
(Céret is famous for its cherries) and other produce, seafood and more.
Fabulous desserts, perhaps? This from L’Atelier de Fred, a justly famous
Céret restaurant:
2. The sea. The magnificent Mediterranean is a short drive away. But there’s
a downside to staying right there – hordes of tourists! From Céret you can
pop over to visit, hike, swim, see the sights, and then retreat to the town’s
friendly embrace.
1. The soul, spirit of the place, genius loci. Well, or the je ne sais quoi, the
indescribable something that makes it special. Céret feels warm, welcoming,
enlivening, inspiring. Come see for yourself. And find more information on our France page, here.
