As usual, PO Life brings you walks, restaurant reviews, recipes, airport news, French and English language exercises, silly jokes, days out…… and a host of talented guest writers who have volunteered (or been volunteered) to be your personal guides around the region.

From the Albères mountain range to the coastal paths and ‘réserve naturelle’ of Mas Larrieu, Argelès has some amazingly contrasting landscapes. Here’s a chance to go off the beaten path with a guided tour for all, organised by the town of Argelès-sur-Mer.

Céret has long been a stronghold for contemporary and modern art. Heralded as a Mecca for cubism, greats such as Picasso and Matisse would come to draw inspiration from the spectacular scenery and tap into the unique, creative energies of the area.

Augustin Hanicotte, a painter from the north of France, came south for reasons of health. During his stay from 1915 to 1945, with the simplest of materials, brown butcher’s paper, coloured pencils, charcoal or pastels, he lovingly portrayed the life of the village.