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Beautiful River-front Villa with Natural Pool & Aircon

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Beach
Property grounds
Outdoor dining
Exterior
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop

Reviews

8.8 out of 10

Excellent

Entire home

4 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 890 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Hot Tub
  • Washer
  • Pool
  • Parking available
  • Barbecue grill
  • Air conditioning

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Beautiful River-front Villa with Natural Pool & Aircon

Villa Heureuse is in a stunning river-front setting, with direct access to the private river-front and a natural pool for swimming. It has many terraces on four different levels with fruit trees and Mediterranean plants. These spaces are perfect for sharing a meal with a group of people or simply sitting and soaking in the relaxing sound of the river.

It is comfortable and well-equipped including split aircon in the main living area and a mobile aircon in the upper bedroom. The villa is located only 20 minutes’ drive from the nearest beaches in Argèles (offering a wide range of water sports). There are also lots of lovely parts of the valley to explore on your doorstep such as the nearby waterfall. There are many walks starting in the valley that take you up into the Albères within an hour, offering breathtaking views over the sea and the nearby villages. Other nearby locations include the beautiful castle and picturesque town of Collioure; local markets (we recommend the Céret market famous for offering mainly local produce); the underwater nature reserve between Port Vendres and Banyuls that can be explored by Kayak, snorkelling, or both; or the Salvador Dali museum in Figueres (Spain).
There is also a separate appartment on the lower level with it's own entrance and terraces which can be booked separately if your group is larger than 8 people.

Property manager

James & Caroline Postlethwaite

Languages

English, French, German

Property amenities

Pool/Spa

  • Outdoor pool
  • Spa tub

Internet

  • Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Onsite parking

Kitchen

  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Dishwasher
  • Cookware/dishes/utensils
  • Toaster
  • Electric kettle
  • Coffee/tea maker

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 4 bedrooms
  • Bed sheets provided

Bathrooms

  • 2.5 bathrooms
  • Shower
  • Towels provided
  • Hair dryer

Living spaces

  • Fireplace
  • Living room
  • Wood stove

Entertainment

  • Foosball table
  • Table tennis
  • DVD player

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture

Laundry

  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property)

General

  • Recycling
  • Double-glazed windows
  • Eco-friendly cleaning products provided
  • Unit size: 968.8 sq ft (90 sq m)

Similar properties

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
This property uses solar energy, plus eco-friendly cleaning products
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

We should mention

Cash transactions at this property cannot exceed EUR 1000, due to national regulations; for further details, please contact the property using information in the booking confirmation

About the neighborhood

Map
Sorède, Pyrénées-Orientales

What's nearby

  • La Vallee Des Tortues - 16 min walk - 1.3 km
  • Racou Beach - 33 min drive - 15.7 km
  • Gran Jonquera Outlet Mall and Shopping - 33 min drive - 34.0 km
  • Argeles Beach - 33 min drive - 15.6 km
  • Collioure Beach - 45 min drive - 19.5 km

Getting around

  • Argelès-sur-Mer Station - 25 min drive
  • Perpignan (PGF-Perpignan - Rivesaltes Intl.) - 56 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Pizza Coco - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪La Table de Valmy - ‬17 min drive
  • ‪Restaurant du Bois Fleuri - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪La Salamandre - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Côté Saisons - ‬8 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does Beautiful River-front Villa with Natural Pool & Aircon have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.

Is Beautiful River-front Villa with Natural Pool & Aircon pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Beautiful River-front Villa with Natural Pool & Aircon?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Beautiful River-front Villa with Natural Pool & Aircon?

Check-out is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Beautiful River-front Villa with Natural Pool & Aircon located?

Set in Sorede, this family-friendly villa is within 9 mi (15 km) of Cellar of the Albères Winegrowers, Ferme de Decouverte, and Sentier du Littoral. Le Tropique du Papillon and Le Jardin Enchanté are also within 9 mi (15 km).

Beautiful River-front Villa with Natural Pool & Aircon Reviews

Reviews

8.8

Excellent

Rating 10 - Excellent. 44 out of 72 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 16 out of 72 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 8 out of 72 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 72 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 3 out of 72 reviews" "

6.8/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Corine R.

beautiful location
We spent three weeks in the apartment in Sorede and had a very good time. There was a lot of space, a beautiful environment and the apartment was good. A very nice place to spent your holidays!

6/10 Okay

maggie p.

Lovely views
Lovely views from back of the house down to river with cute natural pool for swimming. Well equipped kitchen with everything you need for self catering holiday. Great outside areas for eating great. Owners James very helpful and friendly. Would only say that it should be advertised as 3 bed-roomed rather than 4 bed-roomed house as my 22 year old son had to sleep on a camp bed on a landing at the top of the stairs. He had no privacy and the space was stifling hot.

10/10 Excellent

Alison t.

Every thing we needed from our holiday
We were near mountains and the sea. We had a river to swim in at the botton of the garden. We desperately needed a total rest. The bed was comfy. The whole atmosphere of the apartment and garden was calm and peaceful. We popped over to Spain for the day. We enjoyed the market at Ceret so much we went twice. Laroque-des-Alberes only about 5 mins drive away is a lovely place to have a drink in the evening with some beautiful views from the medieval tower in the middle. James and Caroline are great host. We had some great chats putting the world to right. We would recommend this place to stay and would Love to return if we have a chance. Thank you
Stayed 14 nights in Sep 2016

10/10 Excellent

Tracy McLaughlin

Lovely Property, Great space for a family
We stayed for just over 2 weeks at Caroline and James' lovely property. The back garden provided plenty of exploring opportunities for our sons, and most days were spend down on the rocks fishing, or floating in the natural pool. There was lots of space for the 4 of us (including two teenagers) and Caroline and James could not have been more welcoming and friendly. They went out of their way to make sure that we had everything we needed and helped with every aspect of our stay. We were not planning on visiting this part of France again before staying here, but we definitely be back! We only scratched the surface of the amenities nearby but we loved the tortoise sanctuary and the beach at Argeles was wonderful. Easy to get to everything and Sorede was a great little town with a bakery we visited often! Thank you Caroline and James for everything x

8/10 Good

Anke B., Central Switzerland

Pleasant location with fantastic natural pool
We spent a very relaxing week at the Apartment Riviere in Sorede. The apartment is ideal as a base for all kinds of outdoor acrivities, with the wonderful natural rock pool right out front. It´s about 2.5 km away from Sorede centre with all the restaurants and shops, and we could also reach nearby St. Andre or Laroque sur Alberes by bike. It was also conveniently located for trips to the sea or into the Pyrenees.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2016

10/10 Excellent

Peter M., Durham, UK

Great stay in a perfectly sized apartment
Had a great week at the apartment with our two young (7 & 10 yr old) daughters. Swimming in the rock pool was great, and there were plenty of nearby attractions! The apartment is well laid out, with separate rooms for the kids and the adults, making for easy sharing and different bed times.

10/10 Excellent

Judith E.

a truly beautiful place
We, a family of four with two small boys (2 and 5) spent a lovely week in the Villa heureuse. The house is spacious and the veranda very nice to sit on in the evenings and listen to the stream rustling and to see the bats skipping in and out of the trees. The kids simply loved the stream, played forever in the rock pools, looked for frogs, dragonflys, fish... Nature is very beautiful and there are lovely short and long walks to take in the mountains nearby. Plenty to see and do in the area as well, and Sorède is a friendly place with a great boulangerie. :) We´d love to be back sometime!

10/10 Excellent

Delphine L.

A good spot!!
We are a family of 3 and spent two weeks in the apartment. It is well located - 15 minutes from Paulille and other nice places (without the hustle and bustle of Argeles). The only weak point is the hard mattress bed (but I guess it depends on what you like!). James and Caroline are trustworthy people. Delphine, Ludo and Jo.

10/10 Excellent

Edward K.

Extraordinary property set in stunning location
This property is set in a wonderful and rare location, with its own extensive outside areas, that included a system of waterfalls that run in two a large pool where you can swim. Lazy afternoons can be spent playing in the water, swimming, building dams, relaxing to the sound of running water and enjoying the vibrancy of the natural environment. A nature lovers paradise with a huge variety of special wildlife around, including rare birds and water creatures. The surrounding mountain landscape is stunning. A perfect space in which to unwind from the pressure of modern living and enter a calm and relaxed state of being. The location is ideal, very close to the beaches by car. Sorede and the villages around are unspoilt, the locals of friendly and the natural environment is gorgeous. This is area seams to be a well kept secret! The area around the property itself is very calm but does not feel isolated. The apartment was very clean and user friendly, with everything you need. I spend a lot of time outside on the variously seating area, well placed in different spots of natural beauty. The gardens were very well thought out and beautiful. The owners Caroline and James could not have been more welcoming and supportive of our successful stay. Highly recommended.

10/10 Excellent

Raymond B.

A quiet, peaceful and idyllic holiday location
I came to Apartment Riviere on my own because I lost my wife recently, and over several years we had stayed in property owned by the Postlethwaites, but never this one. We had experienced the outstanding service and support that they offered, and my stay here was no exception. The apartment was well equipped, clean and everything worked. Caroline and James were very supportive during my stay, and obviously conscious of my situation. I would recommend this property without reservation to anyone who appreciated a lovely location, plenty of walks around, and who thrived on peace and quiet. A minor disadvantage is that you need a car to get around. The village of Sorede is just over a mile away, a lovely walk to get there, but uphill to get back! Small price to pay for these surroundings.

10/10 Excellent

Richard M.

Lovely secluded spot in beautiful scenery, close to mountains and sea.
The apartment was perfect for our needs. Spacious and comfortable for 2. Lovely space outside leading down to the stream. Only shame was the water was too cold in April to swim in the plunge pool. The apartment is up a valley surrounded by mountains, with opportunities for hiking direct from the house. Five minutes drive to quiet village of Sorede for local shops and a few restaurants. Spectacular views over the Mediterranean and the Pyrenees. Also only a short drive to the coast and interesting towns on the Cote Vermeille, and within reach of the higher valleys of the Pyrenees. We'll have to come back when it's warmer to enjoy the plunge pool!
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2016

10/10 Excellent

Brian W., Poole

Great location, comfortable house.
We spent a week here April 2016. The house is in a very peaceful location and the river/stream runs just behind the house with natural pools for swimming and a fabulous balcony overlooking the river which has the sun all day. The house was warm had good Wi-Fi and everything was as described. We only had one minor complaint which was accepted by James and Caroline and that was a slight lack of hanging space, this however would not detract from us returning if in the area again. Sorede is close by as is the lovely village of Laroque des Alberes, we would recommend the latter for an evening stroll and a beer or coffee, this village also has a few shops as well as bars/restaurants.

8/10 Good

Moritz K.

Wonderful Family Stay
We stayed one week with four kids in the Villa Heureuse. It has a stunning location behind a natural river and a natural pond. They are public but you can use them like as if they were private. Our kids really loved them. You can sit the whole day on your sunny balcony and watch the kids play. The house itself is ok with some minor peculiarities/insufficiencies. The landlady was very helpful and friendly, we certainly will try to come back,

6/10 Okay

Laurent S.

agréable séjour
Ma femme et moi avons passé une semaine à l'appartement Rivière. Le site est magnifique et l'appartement très agréable, joliment meublé et bien équipé. Mais Il faut savoir que l'appartement est situé en-dessous d'une autre partie de la location ce qui entraîne certains désagréments sonores.

8/10 Good

Julie H.

Wow! Idyllic location,
You won't find a better location for a peaceful, quiet beautiful retreat. There are not many properties that can boast such a tranquil setting with the soothing sound of running water and the rustling of trees 24/7. Our hosts Caroline and James were a delight to meet,. On the first evening the temperature dropped after a hot spell, and they bought round a quilt the next day which was a thoughtful touch. This idyllic location means that you are approx 3.5 km from the centre of Sorede so a walk to visit to the bolangerie ( excellent artisan bread) or to one of the Restaurants means you are reliant on a car, the road leading up the valley to the apartment is rugged in places, however after a few journeys it becomes easy to navigate around the potholes. The apartment was as described, with a well equipped modern kitchen having all the necessary utensils for your holiday needs,. The sofa, the bed and linen are adequate. I would recommend this property for anyone who wants a retreat in a beautiful unique location, enjoys a natural environment and doesn't mind being reliant on a car..

10/10 Excellent

Ian S.

Fantastic setting and beautiful villa
Spent the last week of August 2015 at villa Heureuse. Four adults and three children who all loved the fantastic setting. We all loved swimming in the natural pool and the kids loved jumping in off the rocks while we adults could keep an eye on them while sitting on the balcony. Beautiful quiet location but only a few minutes drive to Sorede for all amenities. Had a great time both at the beaches and in the mountains. Caroline and James were very friendly, leaving us to get on with things but there if we needed them. Highly recommended 👍😊

10/10 Excellent

Debbie P.

A wonderful escape from stress
This place is truly paradise. Idyllic and peaceful. The apartment was well equipped and the views magnificent. The most relaxing holiday we have ever had! The beautiful stream gives off a soothing sound and is great for cooling off on hot days. The various terraces offer both sun and shade with pretty and colourful plants and flowers everywhere. Caroline and James were very welcoming and you always felt they were at hand yet never intrusive. The sleepy village of Sorede is a great place to spend an afternoon sitting in the cafe in the square and Argeles Sur Mer has a lovely beach and is excellent for shopping in the market, which is lively and very typically French. Will definitely be returning to this place next time we need to re-charge our batteries!

10/10 Excellent

Arlo B.

lovely apartment in peaceful setting
The property was clean and well -equipped - but, most importantly, the views of the river and rock pool from the windows were breathtaking. Soothed to sleep by the sounds of the babbling river each night. Great location to have a very varied stay - beaches one day and mountains the next. We loved Collioure especially!

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Our Easter Trip to Villa Heureuse 2015
We have a young family and staying at Villa Heureuse was a delight. We felt very comfortable and had a lovely week's holiday enjoying the sound of running river water. Thank you for a great time. The Nicholson Family.

10/10 Excellent

Michael H.

Beautiful setting.
We arrived at the Villa Heureuse in mid November for a three week stay. We had been looking for a quiet place to just "relax and get away from it all" and the villa and its surroundings certainly gave us that.......it has a beautiful outlook, with a lovely balcony that overlooks a stream and natural pool out the back. James and Caroline, the owners, are a pleasure to meet, and a couple of minor issues we had were dealt with promptly. The Villa Heureuse is located about 1.5 miles from the centre of Sorede, and we spent a lot of time just relaxing and enjoying the immediate surroundings. We also enjoyed trips to Collioure, Argeles-ser-Mer, and further afield to the mountain top commune of Rennes le Chateau, and the beautiful Abbey St Martin de Cannigou near Casteil. The beauty of the area is, you can be as quiet or as adventurous as you want. It's all there depending on whatever you want. We would recommend this Villa as a great place to stay. Close enough for all amenities, but away from any hustle and bustle, offering peace and tranquility.

10/10 Excellent

John E.

Beautiful situation in natural surrondings
It is seldom that you come across a property that ticks the boxes for everybody. Both the river and the plunge pool were great favourites with the party. The house is situated about 3k from Sorede, so a bread trip was needed every day, but it wasn't a chore, such was the attractive scenery . The house was clean and well presented. with large and pleasant balcony running the length of the rear, overlooking the river. The outside being part of a 'natural' landscape required a little care. It would not suit young children who couldn't swim, or the elderly or infirm . I would definitely recommend the property to friends. As far as attraction are concerned, the children did not want to leave the river, but the beach at Racou Plage is about 9k, and Aqualand is about 20k. there are decent restaurants in Sorede

10/10 Excellent

Christian M., Sonderborg

NIce family holiday
The house is placed in the middle of the stunning mountain nature, with the possibility of a swim in the rock pool in the back yard. Only 20 min drive to the beautiful mediteranian sea. Nice place for a family holiday!

10/10 Excellent

Jen D.

Idyllic location, lovely apartment
I would highly recommend these villas for anyone wishing to enjoy a quiet, tranquil and rejuvenating holiday. The location is beautiful, set directly besides the gorgeous stream and rock pool which feels very much like an extension of the private garden. It is quiet and very peaceful, with lush green hills on the near horizon. The perfect getaway spot! and just a short drive to the beach! I stayed in the 2 bedroom apartment which was clean and well equipped with kitchen appliances, microwave, fridge/freezer, dishwasher, washing machine, wifi, TV, etc. It also had a nice, friendly feel with idyllic private views over to the rocky stream. I thoroughly enjoyed my stay here. Owners Caroline and James are extremely welcoming, helpful and kind. Two very lovely people who cared very much to ensure that I had everything I needed throughout my stay. Highly recommended, and I hope to be back again soon!

10/10 Excellent

martha b.

magical
Having seen the pictures of the apartment we felt we had some idea of what our holiday would be like. However the reality was far far more. What we experienced was an oasis of calm and tranquility, days spent away from the hustle and bustle of modern life. The first night we arrived I slept so soundly to the backdrop of cascading water. I felt both mesmerized and totally refreshed. The air so clear and clean we felt invigorated by all those wonderful negative ions. In the morning when I awoke I felt as though I had slept all night long in a forest. In the evening with the sun penetrating the leaves of the trees and dancing on the water I felt enchanted by this world within a world. You would need a car to be able to visit this region. We ventured into Spain to visit the Salvador Dali museum in Figuras, well worth a visit to get a glimpse of Dali's innovative imaginings. We mainly stayed within 20 km of our apartment as I did not want to spend too much time away from Sorede. . How wonderful is it to wake in the morning and to have a dip in the natural pool at the end of the garden? We ate our meals on the terrace listening to the gentle wind in the trees and soaking up the sun. We spent many afternoons at the beach in Argeles sur mer, where we swam and walked along the promenade and hired bikes to cycle around the town. What we loved especially about where we stayed is that we could leave behind the commercial tourism of Argeles and escape back into the mountains and forests of Sorede. Sorede itself is quite a charming village where we ventured into some nights to relax in the square. For us this was more than just a holiday as it was also a retreat. For anyone who wants to relax and unwind , for those who want to be recharged and inspired then this is the place to visit. The hosts Caroline and James were always there to answer any of our queries. They made sure that the apartment contained everything that people need on holiday. We spent many evenings playing table tennis and developing skills we never thought possible!! Now back at home in Ireland I try to capture the smells and sounds of the Vallee Heureuse. The smell I recall is Mimosa , the sound is that of the water lapping onto the rocks and the feeling is peace. Wherever we go we take some of that energy which for us was healing and energizing. I would recommend this holiday for anyone who wants to get away from it all, for those who love the outdoors and treking and swimming.

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Apartment Riviere
Wir, eine Familie mit zwei Kindern (11 + 13), verbrachten im Oktober 2010 eine Woche im "Happy Valley". Das Haus war sauber und sehr gut für Selbstverpfleger ausgestattet, genügend Geschirr, gutes Besteck und ordentliche Töpfe. Die Vermieter sind sehr liebenswert und geben gute Tipps zu Ausflügen und Restaurants. Der kleine Wasserfall direkt am Haus ist natürlich ein Spielparadies für Kinder. Die schöne Lage direkt in den Bergen und doch nahe genug am Meer bietet unzählige Freizeitmöglichkeiten. Ganz in der Nähe vom Haus befindet sich eine nette Schildkrötenfarm, die auf jeden Fall ein Besuch Wert ist. Es gibt Burgruinen und alte Klöster, die direkt vom Haus aus erwandert (erklimmt) werden können. In der weiteren Umgebung gibt es herrliche Rockpools, noch mehr Wanderstrecken und einige Ziele für Geocacher ;-). Mit dem PKW ist man in wenigen Minuten am Mittelmeer und findet dort wunderschöne Dörfer mit katalanischem Touch. Ein Tagesausflug nach Spanien ließen wir uns auch nicht entgehen. Rundum, ein schöner Urlaub, wenn auch viel zu kurz! We highly recommend it and hope to make a return visit in the future.