Reviewed in July 2011 A day in Banyuls sur Mer can be a relaxing beach experience or as full of activities as you would wish. Take the tourist train for a visit to the Chapelle…
The show must go on! In spite of torrential storms during this year’s Fête des Vendanges at Banyuls-sur-Mer, the Fanfare Bands played on, à la Titanic. Basil Howitt reports. In our part of the world,…
David Hall – Recycling woodsmith 3 by Michael Brady 3 A tall, slim man picks through a furniture factory rubbish heap, examining each bit of wood, keeping some, discarding others. His search seems purposeful. Indeed…
Chantal Lebret : Voyage into Colour 3 by Ellen Hall 3 One of the pleasures of a visit to Banyuls-sur-Mer is strolling along the promenade with the port on one side and artists’ workshops on…
2 More scandals from the Roussillon, otherwise known as “Le Far West de la Politique” (“The Wild West of Politics”) 2 Basil Howitt reports on a new twist in the notorious Saint-Cyprien saga. He also…
Pigs’ Cheeks, Paso Dobles and Seamed Stockings “Y per mults anys!” (“Many happy returns!”) Basil Howitt relives a magnificent soirée in Banyuls-sur-Mer celebrating a revered Catalan musician’s 85th birthday. I have become an ardent…
If you head west on the D117 from the Catalan border town of Estagel, with the unforgettable 10th century fortress of Quéribus towering above you on your right, you soon come to Maury, the first village along this route in Le Fenouillèdes, or the Land of Fennel – or even Fenolheda in Occitan-speak. Le Fenouillèdes is part of Occitan Languedoc, whose inhabitants are rather scornfully referred to by Catalans as “les gabatx” or foreigners. Skirmishes between the “gabatx” of Maury and the youths of Estagel are still not unknown.