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A hillside town full of charm
Durban Corbières (or Durban Corbieres) is a little village built on a hillside in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of southern France. There are actually two parts to the village; the mediaeval town which climbs the hillside towards the old château and churches at the top, and the new part of town, which is based on the opposite bank of the river. The old town, in typically Languedocian style, straggles charmingly up the hillside, with narrow winding streets and steep steps flanked with terracotta pots of vibrantly coloured flowers. The houses, built of local stone, have painted shutters to keep out the winter winds and the hot summer sun, and look from the outside at least, as though they have remained unchanged for centuries.
The new part of town consists of modern villas and houses, and also offers the amenities needed for everyday life. There is a Mairie, school, post office, ‘Tabac’, hotel, restaurant, pharmacy, bank, boulangerie and a couple of petrol stations, so both inhabitants and visitors are well catered for here!
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A deep connection to the past
The people of Durban Corbières have a strong sense of their history and heritage, and are fiercely proud of their little corner of south France. Visitors to the village cannot fail to be aware of history, as all around there are old buildings, such as the Château which commands a position on the top of the hill, above the village, and the ruins of even older churches which can still be seen today. The vineyards also seem a reminder of the traditions of Durban Corbières, with vines standing in neat rows tended by local people much as they have been for generations. There is change, however, as the occasional tractor or other piece of modern machinery will bear witness, but the vineyards are still as important to life here as they ever were.
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The great outdoors
Lovers of the outdoor life will love the area around Durban Corbières. Close to the blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea, the area offers all manner of outdoor activities, with windsurfing, hill walking, horse-riding and swimming to name but a few. There is a rich and varied landscape to enjoy, and no shortage of dark ruins of Cathar castles telling their tales of a turbulent past.
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How to get there
Durban Corbières is easily accessed from the UK, as it is close to both Carcassonne and Perpignan, both of which are served by budget airline Ryanair.
It is also possible to take the Eurostar to Paris, then a TGV fast train to Narbonne.
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Property prices and availability in and around Durban Corbières
The advent of budget airline flights into local airports from the UK has pushed up property prices in this area, but it has also opened up a rental market for holiday property. This means that even if you have to pay a slightly higher price for your property, the investment should be a sound one, and there will be a good potential rental income should you wish. The village of Durban Corbières is fairly small, so houses in the old village itself only rarely come on the market. The area immediately surrounding the village has some lovely old properties, and is well worth considering, especially as it is so close to the Mediterranean.
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DURBAN CORBIÈRES AT A GLANCE |
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AGENTS WITH PROPERTY IN THIS AREA |
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