Ceret – the village of cherries

Ceret is a gracious, small, medieval town situated in the lush valley of Vallespir crowned by the peak of Canigou - the holy mountain of the Catalans. Ceret has a charm of its own. It is truly seductive with its several hundred years old plane-trees, stonehouses huddled together in the old town, along the narrow cobble stones, shaped by battles between France and Spain for centuries. Today Ceret attracts an artistic set of people and people who want to escape the busy lifestyle of Western Europe. The 7000 Ceretians surely know how to lead the gentle life - la doceur de vivre...

Already at the beginning of the 20^th century the town and its luminous colours made Ceret a favourite spot among famous sculptors and painters like Manolo, Soutine, Matisse, Picasso and Chagall, the two last mentioned even lived for periods outside Ceret. In 1950 The Museum of Modern Art was established in Ceret, by Pierre Bruno. Ceret offers other appeals alongside with the history of arts, with the traditional festivals and fetes among other things.

The Tauromachie - the corrida - the bullfighting festival is held every year in Ceret, gathering a number of well known toreros - bullfighters. A tradition brought in from the Spanish Catalans and ther Portugeese at the start of the 20^th century.

The festivals of La Sardane takes place in Ceret in August, the traditonally holy dance of the Catalans.

Even more so without the busy festivals, the Ceret market is well worth a Saturday stroll. Here you can buy many local products like the cherries, apricots, figs, peaches when in season, honey from the area, the typical Catalan biscuits - Les Rousquilles, the Catalan nougat Turon, different types of pork delicatessen like sausages; the fuet, the sauscisson, Catalan cotton fabrics, and the vigatanes, the espradillos... Enjoy sitting down at the terrace of one the many restaurants for a long Catalan lunch,  followed by a siesta. The shops do close at noon in Ceret, not opening again until four o’clock...

And so finally, why the name of the village of cherries? In the lush valley of Vallespir, in which Ceret is located, the cherry trees blossom in mid April, cherry trees are everywhere, dressed in white flowers. Traditionally, and still ongoing today, the first cherries from Ceret each year, are sent to the President of the Republic.

Places to stay in  Ceret

Vidal; charming and price worthy small hotel right in the village centre of Ceret. It has a most quiet and hidden away terrace for early morning breakfasts if requested. Note the unique lamps made by a local artist of Ceret. Managers and owners;  Marc and Katie Fourquets.

Les Feuillants;  elegant hotel, well known hotel for its excellent food and wines, best in Ceret, perfect location by Place the Picasso. Manager and host; Fredrique

Les Arcades;  a simple but modern hotel in central Ceret at Place de Picasso. The hotel also runs the very popular Bar Pablo, located at the ground floor. Manager & host; Giles

Places to eat in Ceret

Le Pied dans le Plat

Location: Place

Price: Medium

Menu: French & Catalan menu, favourite dish here; Bols Picolats & Crème Catalane and the Salade Aveyronesse. Owners Christophe and Michelle always present taking care of you!

Vidal

Location: 2^nd floor, hotel Vidal, Place Picasso

Price: Upper end

Menu: French, seafood & meat dishes, a favourite main dish Magret du Canard avec cerises, for desert, Vidal’s Moulleux Chocolat a must try...

Location: Place Picasso

Price: Upper end

Menu: French style, excellent food & wines, all dishes top experiences!

Cafees & Bars in Ceret

Grand Cafe

Location: main street Ceret

Price: Medium

Menu: Only drinks, wines & beers served throughout the day.

Coffee and tea, good place with morning sunshine on the terrace

Pablo

Location: Place Picasso

Price: Medium

Menu: Extremely French, only drinks, wines & beers served throughout the day.

Excellent Café Noisette & Espresso, perfect place for an afternoon drink in the sun!

Café de France

Location: main street Ceret

Price: Medium to upper end

Menu: French style, food and drinks, wines & beers served throughout the day.

Good shade during lunch time, excellent lunch sallads, try Salade Catalane or Paysanne

Café Praline

Location: Rue Ramel, Ceret

Price: Medium

Menu: Belgium owners, open when no other cafes open, serves good pies and excellent Belgium chocolate. Wines & beers also served throughout the day.

Bigaro Bar

Location:

A place for those who does not want to go to bed after dinner. Great bar, great atmosphere, this is where you meet the people of Ceret! Open Wednesdays to Saturdays, all night long...