Cerbere (Cerbere)

Member Name: Andyc

Product:	Cerbere
Date:	12/09/00 (299 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Unspoilt, easy access to all sites local towns + Spain, really cheap food and wine

Disadvantages: Basic French a necessity, not much nightlife, asides from the restaurants

Where?

Cerbere! (say it: Sir-bear)

It's right down south, past Marseille (and a bit more). Its a very small coastal town/village, and I loved it!

The best thing about Cerbere is that it's undiscovered! Asides from the odd batch of back-packers (who use Cerbere as a change over point to catch late trains into Spain). It's mostly used by French holiday-makers, and I always think that if the locals like it, it must be good!

In comparison to other nearby places, Coulior and Banyuls it's much less touristy. I caught the train to Cerbere and the station gives easy walking access to the town and various hotels. Everything in fact is within 5-10 minutes walk, the beach, all the restaurants, station, the centre place, EVERYTHING!

With the station so close it's easy to take day trips to other local towns or into Spain. The mountains visible from the town ARE the Spainish border, so it's not far at all. Getting there is an easy train ride from Perpignan (the nearest airport) but it not far to drive either. Coulior and Banyuls are a short train-ride away. Coulior has a lovely old castle and church and Banyuls has beautiful caves and a great, cheap, little aquarium.

The local specialities are sea-food (being a coastal town) and all the restaurants serve gorgeous main courses, ranging from swordfish to hake, cod to squid and sea-snails!
Also, try a local chilled, sherry-like drink called "Banyuls" as an aperitif. Lovely.

My visit coincided with Cerbere's year 2000 celebrations, as most of the residents live there only in summer. But other than this, "nightlife" is somewhat sparse. But depending on what you want, this can be a good thing. Many nights were whiled away strolling round the town, skimming stones in the sea, or looking at the gorgeous, derelict, 1920's hotel near the station.

The locals are all very friendly, but a few words of warning:


<br>1. There are a decided shortage of banks. Well, in fact there are 3, but they have few opening hours, but usually at least one is open every day asides from Sunday. And there is NO cash-machine.

2. The beach is pebble and not sand. No sand in your toes and all over your clothes, but a tad uncomfortable.

3. The locals are French. Though this may sound obvious, what I mean is that unlike most places in France, very few of the locals speak English. Some of the waiters know enough to explain some of the more complicated dishes, but a phrase-book is a must for all but the fluent French speaker.

All that said, DON'T GO TO CERBERE! It's lovely and quaint as it is! :-)

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