Move

The village's classic climb, at 936 m right above us. You set off on foot from Laroque and follow the river up to its source, at the pass: a good two hours of climbing. The old-timers went up to cook lunch at the top over a fire of vine cuttings, then nap before heading back down, and the programme still holds. Best trick: walk up and get picked up by car at the top, provided someone is willing to go round via Le Perthus and the D71, the only road up to the pass.

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The highest point of the Albères at 1,256 m, right on the border: a stone tower and a television relay at the top. The big local walk starts from the church in the old village and goes over the Col de l'Ouillat, 16.7 km and 1,227 m of climb, seven hours on the sign: a full day out. From the summit, the Roussillon plain and the sea on one side, the Pyrenees to the west, and on the far slope the Ampurdan plain all the way to the bay of Roses.

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The refuge at the Col de l'Ouillat, on the GR10 long-distance path: restaurant, panoramic terrace over the Pyrenees, and 24 beds. Open all year, which makes it a fine place to end a hike.

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TRX and dumbbells on site.

Saltwater pool (4 × 9 m), ping-pong table and a boules court under the trees.

Available for sea and river outings.

For strong legs: from Collioure, the loop goes past Fort Saint-Elme then climbs through the terraced vineyards to the medieval signal tower, about 15 km and 700 m of elevation gain. From the top, the whole plain, the Côte Vermeille and Spain in a single glance. Short version for everyone else: you can also drive up the vertiginous little road, then walk the last few minutes.

Pic Néoulous (14 km, 1,000 m elevation gain), Col de l'Ouillat, and the whole Albères trail network.

The coastal trail from Argelès to Cerbère: quiet coves even in August.

The ascent of the Catalans' sacred mountain (2,784 m).

Hikes at 2,000 m altitude, 1 h 30 by road.

The EuroVelo 8 route passes nearby, Albères climbs for the climbers, mountain bikes available on loan.

A rental shop in the village, contact details provided at booking.

Argelès 10 minutes away, the coves along the coastal path between Collioure and Cerbère, and further out La Franqui (40 min), a fantastic wild beach spot with an excellent seafront restaurant.

France's first marine reserve, between Cerbère and Banyuls.

The Leucate and Pont des Basses spots, 30 minutes away.

Rentals on every beach, inflatable canoe at the villa.

Motorboat rental in Port-Vendres to explore the Costa Brava from the sea and meet the dolphins.

6 courses within 60 km, in France and Spain: Saint-Cyprien, Falgos, Peralada, and PGA Catalunya, Spain's #1 course.

A box 5 minutes away by car, holiday drop-ins welcome, open in summer.

Clubs in Laroque and the neighboring villages.

Riding centers nearby, treks in the Albères.