For buying and selling property in Saint Estève
The town of St Estève is set in the Pyrénées-Orientales department in the far south of France, its inhabitants being called Stéphanois. The town is both pretty and lively, and with its palm trees and sunshine it has very Mediterranean ambiance that charms all who get to know it. The location of St Estève is also about as ideal as it gets if you like a little variety in your life, as it is close to the Med beaches, the unspoiled countryside and quaint villages of the Pyrénéan foothills, the ski resorts of the mountains themselves and the bustling and cosmopolitan city of Perpignan. Not to mention the vineyards and wine domains..!
St Estève has good facilities for shopping, and most usual services are available within the town. It has an 11th century church, schools, a library, a swimming pool and a museum which houses numerous exhibitions throughout the year. Of course, Perpignan is handily placed if you do need more, but the town provides for itself pretty well. There is even a selection of highly regarded restaurants in St Estève, where you can relax and settle down to enjoy the celebrated Catalan cuisine.
It really is delightful to be in St Estève for Christmas, the town really puts on a good show. The little wooden chalets that form the Christmas market are laden with exciting goods, perfect for those last minute gifts, and there is a traditional carol service held too.
There could hardly be a better place to base yourself if you are a keen sportsman. With access to the Med, the mountains, and the dramatic gorges of Galamus and St Georges, you have just about every sporting possibility known to man available to you. Ski in the winter (both cross country and downhill), scuba dive and sail in the summer, and from May until October you have the chance to try the exhilarating sports of canyoning, rock climbing or white water rafting. Golfers... there are plenty of courses around here too, so you won't have to forgo your favourite pastime.
Whether you want to discover tiny villages set in beautiful countryside or are craving the excitement of a big city, there is something for you to enjoy in this region. History buffs can see for themselves the stark remains of the Cathar castles, wine lovers can take tours of the vineyards, beach bunnies can head for the Med, and even Spain and its beautiful city of Barcelona is handy for a day out.
It is easy to reach St Estève from the UK by air, as Perpignan airport is on the doorstep and offers flights from budget airline Ryanair as well as flybe and bmibaby, so there is plenty of choice when it comes to airlines and departure airports. Carcassonne and Girona are also within reach, both being served by Ryanair. The TGV runs to Perpignan too, so you can travel almost all the way by train from the UK. Drivers can take the A9/N116 roads to reach the town. It actually lies on the D616.
Property in this part of the Pyrénées-Orientales is often on the expensive side, as the area is very popular and desirable. Generally, however, you should be able to find more property for your money in a town that lies very slightly inland, like St Estève, than you will be able to do on the coast.
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Saint Estève is located in the south of France, near the Spanish border. It lies in the east of the Pyrénées-Orientales department.
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Population: 9,810
Access: By air: The nearest airports are Perpignan, Carcassonne and Girona. By rail: The TGV runs from Paris to Perpignan. By road: Saint Estève can be found near the A9 and N116.
Economy: The economy is influenced by tourism and wine.
Interesting fact: Saint Estève is a great place to be at Christmas. There is a carol service every year (including mulled wine and seasonal nibbles!) and a beautiful Christmas market, with wooden chalets and colourful gifts and crafts.