Laroque-des-Albères and around
Laroque-des-Albères is a lively Catalan village at the foot of the Albères mountains, with genuine year-round local life and an international community. Everything is walkable from the center, and the villa is 5 minutes from the village.
Village life
Shops within walking distance
Pharmacy, bakeries, greengrocer, crafts, takeaway pizza, and a butcher crowned world champion of Catalan sausage.
11 restaurants
Irish pub, fusion Japanese, burgers, traditional French cuisine, tapas, wood-fired pizza.
Market
Wednesday mornings, on the village square.
Trails from the village
The Albères hiking trails start right from the village.
Local produce to experience
Olive oil: Le Moulin du Llevant
Literally across the street from the villa (44 bis avenue des Baléares): family-run organic mill, local varieties, gold medals, free tours. And keep exploring, the Albères are full of mills.
Catalan sausage: Boucherie Salvi
Didier Salvi, world champion of Catalan sausage, the village butcher for over 20 years. Also: Catalan lamb and prize-winning beef raised in the mountain pastures.
Charcuterie: Boucherie Casenove (Saint-Génis)
Three generations of butchers on rue de l'Église. Admire the abbey's Romanesque portal on your way back with the shopping.
La Ferme Xadi (Palau-del-Vidre)
Family free-range pig farm on the D618, artisanal additive-free charcuterie, farm shop and visits possible.
Bread: Maison Castro
Le Fournil des Albères, the village's essential bakery and pâtisserie. Morning coffee possible.
Fruit and vegetables
The grower's stand at the Argelès road roundabout, and in season the stall in front of Castro. Table grapes from Domaine Causadias (94 avenue des Baléares) in season.
Fish
The independent fishmonger at the Carrefour des Albères, the fishermen of Argelès and Port-Vendres, and Les Poissonneries de la Côte Catalane at the Port-Vendres fish auction, at the end of the quay (with an oyster bar).
Leucate oysters (40 min)
Some twenty oyster shacks at the Grau de Leucate: tastings straight from the producer, facing the lagoon. A must.
The markets
Laroque on Wednesday mornings, Céret on Saturdays (huge), Collioure on Sundays (parking is tricky).
Where we love to eat in the village
Côté Saisons
A Michelin Bib Gourmand for 12 years running, excellent value. The village's reference table, avenue de la Côte Vermeille.
Le Catalan
The go-to spot on place de la République, at the foot of the church: fresh Catalan cooking, great value (closed in winter).
Le Refuge du Clocher
A superb 19th-century mansion in the heart of the old village, tiered terraces, seasonal cooking.
Le Café des Artistes
The village pub: Guinness on tap, a fine beer selection and a British Isles atmosphere.
And when we go out
Les Clos de Paulilles (Port-Vendres, 30 min)
The Cazes family restaurant in the vineyards, facing the Paulilles beach. Not to be missed.
Collioure (15 min)
La Casa Rico and its rooftop with bell-tower view, Le Neptune above the bay, tapas at Chez Simone on the Boramar. And an early morning coffee looking out to sea.
Banyuls (30 min)
Le Jardin de Saint-Sébastien (the Clos Saint Sebastien's restaurant, wines at cellar prices) and the seafront esplanade with its many restaurants.
Hostal Empúries (L'Escala, 1 h)
The hotel's restaurant, practically on the Portitxol beach, next to the Empúries ruins.
Le Bout du Monde (Cerbère, 45 min)
Feet in the water in the Peyrefite cove, right at the start of the marine reserve's underwater trail. Perfect after snorkeling.
Our favorite spots around
Collioure (15 min)
Voted France's favorite village in 2024. The jewel of the Côte Vermeille: royal castle, iconic bell tower, anchovies and waterfront terraces.
Céret (20 min)
Museum of modern art, century-old plane trees and a great Saturday morning market.
La Franqui (40 min)
A fantastic wild beach spot, with an excellent seafront restaurant.
And across the border, about 1 hour away
Sa Tuna and Aiguablava (Begur)
Two of the Costa Brava's most beautiful coves, turquoise water and fishing villages.
Distances
- Village center: 5-minute walk.
- Argelès beaches: 10 minutes by car.
- Collioure: 15 minutes.
- Spain: 15 minutes.
- Céret: 20 minutes.
- Perpignan: 25 minutes.
- Figueres: 35 minutes.
- Girona: 55 minutes.
- Font-Romeu: 1 h 30.
- Barcelona: 2 h by car, 1 h 30 by high-speed train from Perpignan.
Book your stay
Book directly online: real-time availability, secure payment, calendar synced across all platforms. On-site welcome is handled by Sud Séjour, our local concierge service, reachable for any question.