This stone barn in the old village is part of the original 10th 11th 'city wall'
EUR 85,000
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A one bedroom house will make an ideal holiday home, in this picturesque village.
EUR 106,000
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Now reduced to sell !! A large 3/4 bed maison de village in need of some restoration
EUR 138,000
More info...
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A typical Roussillon village
Vinca is a typical Roussillon village found in the southernmost department of France, the Pyrénées-Orientales. Surrounded by vineyards and basking in Mediterranean sunshine for most of the year, Vinca is also an old fortified town, the ramparts having been built in 1245 by Jacques le Conquerant. And as with all old Cathar towns there is a tangible sense of history about the place.
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Close to the sea and mountains
Although it lies in the centre of the department rather than on the coast, Vinca is close enough to the sea to make seaside days an easy trip, yet the shadow of the mighty Mount Canigou makes sure that you are also aware of the fact that in the winter Vinca can make a great base for skiing.
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Charm and local colour
The town of Vinca oozes Catalan charm, and you will find its ancient streets and houses a joy to discover. Peaceful rather than buzzing, there is nevertheless a good sprinkling of shops and amenities in the town, and there is the advantage of being very close to the city of Perpignan should there be anything you require which can’t be supplied in Vinca.
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Places of interest
Places of interest in the town include the beautiful church, and the large lake, which was created in 1976 to be a reservoir for the surrounding towns and villages. The lake is also popular with swimmers and fisherman, and provides an attractive and tranquil setting for a restful day in the fresh air.
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Dining out, Catalan style
The village is very definitely Catalan, as are all the villages in the area. You don’t have to be there very long to pick up on the differences between Catalan culture and French culture, for although the Catalan French do consider themselves French, they are very proud of their Catalan traditions, and this is evident in the language, the accent and every aspect of life. This is never more strongly the case than with food: Catalan influences are strong and when dining out in the excellent restaurants in the town, you will detect a distinctly Spanish flavour to many of the dishes!
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Out and about
There is so much to see and do in the area around Vinca that you will be spoiled for choice. The landscapes are dramatic, rocky and imposing as you climb higher into the mountains, where the glossy green vines seem to grow from impossibly steep rocky slopes. They also provide an ideal place to try adventure sports such as white water rafting and canyoning. There is tennis available in Vinca, and a golf course within easy reach. Perhaps one of the most interesting possibilities, for those with adventurous souls, is to have a go at 4x4 driving up Mount Canigou. Now there’s an experience you won’t forget in a hurry!
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Local culture
There are plenty of opportunities to take in a little local culture too. Vinca is close to the Spanish border and the birthplace of Salvador Dali, so art lovers can cross into Spain and visit the galleries and hometown of the artist. The lovely mediaeval city of Carcassonne is also within easy reach, as is the beautiful fishing village of Collioure, considered one of the true beauty spots of the south.
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How to get there
Travelling to Vinca is as easy as it gets. The village lies close to Perpignan, which has an airport offering flights to and from London Stansted with budget airline Ryanair. Bmibaby and flybe also fly into Perpignan. Meanwhile Ryanair also flies to Carcassonne, Montpellier and Girona, so there is plenty of choice available! Perpignan has a TGV station too, so the excellent fast train is a real possibility. Take Eurostar to Paris from Waterloo, change to TGV and arrive swiftly and rested in Perpignan.
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Property prices and availability in and around Vinca
Generally speaking, property in the Pyrénées-Orientales is fairly expensive when compared with many parts of France. It is, however, still considerably cheaper to purchase property here than further east along France’s Cote d’Azur, or over the border into northern Spain. Vinca, being inland, is a little less pricey than coastal towns such as Collioure.
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