Large House, Heated Pool*, Stunning Views, Edge of Village, Close to Coast
La Paloma is completely detached property in its own grounds with no close neighbours.
Your party will have exclusive access to the house, the extensive grounds and the pool.
You will not share any of the facilities with other holiday makers.
La Paloma is a large residence on the edge of the medieval village of Arles sur Tech in the Languedoc region of South West France.
In 1956 local chiropractor, Mr Boix and his dentist wife chose this prime site on an old vineyard with views over the picturesque village to create a villa to live in and a separate suite of rooms for them to practice in. When we bought La Paloma in 2003 we converted the practice rooms, installed a heated swimming pool and created extra terraces.
We offer: - Private heated pool - Stunning views - Extensive terraces - Fully equipped kitchens - Short walk to shops and restaurants - Short drive to coast and into Spain - Cots, pushchairs and high chairs available
La Paloma is the ideal venue for a family reunion, celebrations or two family holidays. The two-story layout of the property lends itself to large gatherings. In addition to sleeping 12 people in the bedrooms there are three sofa beds to accommodate a further 6 people. With two kitchens, three bathrooms and three reception rooms there is plenty of room for party members to find their own space.
If your party is smaller you can rent just the villa section for 6 people outside of the July and August peak periods.
The various outside terraces and seating areas mean that you can be together when you want to and can separate into smaller groups when required. In the evenings party members can find their own favourite spots to group together and enjoy a quiet drink and meal or to play music and chat the night away.
One of the most important reasons for us buying a house in France was our love of food and wine. The main kitchen at La Paloma becomes the main gathering place when we are there with friends and family. The kitchen is well equipped with all mod cons and some interesting traditional French features. It has a table that will comfortably sit eight people, an American fridge with ice maker and modern gas cooker along with all the utensils and equipment required for the most ambitious cook.
A small library of cookbooks includes books from Elizabeth David though to Rick Stein should you be stuck for inspiration. The village butcher has a fabulous selection of meat, poultry, and charcuterie and the local Spar has fresh supplies of vegetables each day.
Child Friendly – Cots, pushchairs and high chairs available
La Paloma is in the beautiful medieval village of Arles sur Tech. Arles is one of the most southerly villages in France and is just a few miles from the Spanish frontier where you can access Figures, famous for it’s Salvador Dali connection and the historic Catalan city of Girona.
The prefecture of Ceret, famous for it’s annual cheery festival and museum of modern art is a short drive away. Beyond Ceret the old Roman road leads to the picturesque Côte Vermeille with the artists’ enclave at Collioure and seafood lovers paradise of, Port-Vendres once the home of René Mackintosh. The regional city of Perpignan is a thirty-minute drive away with its bustling shops, ancient canal network and fascinating Arabic quarter. Further up the coast you can reach
Montpelier in one and a half hours and the historic Cathar city of Carcassonne in two.Getting here is easy. You can come by Ryanair to Perpignan or Girona, EasyJet to Barcelona, TGV to Perpignan or spend a leisurely day or two driving down from the Channel ports and crossing the spectacular Millau viadu
*The pool is heated in the Spring and the Autumn. In the summer the ambient temperature is normally high enough to make the pool very comfortable to use.
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Amenities
Pool
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
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Large fully air conditioned luxury villa with pool in beautiful location
Large fully air conditioned luxury villa with pool in beautiful location
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
Parties and events are allowed on site
Note from host: With prior approval.
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
We should mention
Cash transactions at this property cannot exceed GBP 1000, due to national regulations; for further details, please contact the property using the information in the booking confirmation
A car is recommended for transport to and from this property
About the area
Arles-sur-Tech
Located in Arles-sur-Tech, this holiday home is in a rural area and near theme parks. Domaine Alquier and Domaine de Falgos Golf are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Gorges de la Fou and Plans d'Eau. Travelling with kids? Consider Museum of Musical Instruments and Inextremis Aventura. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Gran Jonquera Outlet Mall and Shopping - 40 min drive - 35.9 km
Dali Museum - 54 min drive - 58.5 km
Collioure Beach - 59 min drive - 50.2 km
Saint-Cyprien-Plage - 60 min drive - 49.1 km
Getting around
Le Soler Station - 40 min drive
Perpignan (PGF-Perpignan - Rivesaltes Intl.) - 51 min drive
Restaurants
Le Grand Café - 16 min drive
Bar Le Pablo - 17 min drive
Le Jardin De Céret - 17 min drive
Dal I Bar - 19 min drive
Le Comptoir Des Arcades - 18 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Does Large House, Heated Pool*, Stunning Views, Edge of Village, Close to Coast have a pool?
Yes, this property has an outdoor pool. Pool types include heated pools.
How much does it cost to stay at Large House, Heated Pool*, Stunning Views, Edge of Village, Close to Coast?
As of 27 March 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Large House, Heated Pool*, Stunning Views, Edge of Village, Close to Coast on 25 December 2024 start from NZ$493, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
Is Large House, Heated Pool*, Stunning Views, Edge of Village, Close to Coast pet-friendly?
Yes, pets are allowed at this property. Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.
How much is parking at Large House, Heated Pool*, Stunning Views, Edge of Village, Close to Coast?
On-site parking is available at the property.
Where is Large House, Heated Pool*, Stunning Views, Edge of Village, Close to Coast located?
This family-friendly Arles-sur-Tech holiday home is located in the mountains, within 3 mi (5 km) of Abbaye de Sainte-Marie, Gorges de la Fou and Office de Tourisme d'Amelie-les-Bains. Casino d'Amelie-les-Bains is 2.5 mi (4 km) away.
Reviews
9.4
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Our family of four and the dog spent a lovely two weeks at La Paloma. The place is immediately relaxing and close to a lovely village with a couple of good restaurants and shops for most things you need. The pool area is fantastic and the boules track and table tennis were great for the kids. Wi-Fi was strong enough for video calls too. John was a fantastic host and super helpful when our car broke down on the way down to Arles - really appreciated. He really went out of his way to make sure we were OK and nothing was too much trouble during our stay. Thanks so much for a lovely stay!
Villa agréable et très fonctionnel. Hôte très aimable.
Youcef T.
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 25 August 2021
Salut Youcef
Nous espérons que vous passerez un agréable moment à La Paloma.
Nous avons apprécié que vous restiez avec nous.
Nous serons très heureux si vous revenez.
Merci beaucoup pour votre excellente critique.
Bien à vous
John
Nous avons passé de bons moments en famille. La maison possède une belle terrasse et a beaucoup de couchage. Seul bémol la pression de l’eau et le nettoyage de la piscine qui peuvent être améliorés
Karima A.
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 21 August 2020
Merci pour votre avis.
Nous sommes ravis que vous ayez terminé votre séjour chez nous.
Nous avons installé une pompe pour améliorer la pression de l'eau.
Nous avons mis en place un nouveau système d'inspection pour nous assurer que la piscine est nettoyée tous les jours.
Nous avons hâte de vous revoir à La Paloma.
10 of us stayed in this lovely property. The accommodation is split into two - the main living area upstairs and a flat with two bedrooms and a small kitchen downstairs. Location is great. Amazing views. Lots of local shops in easy walking distance.
Sophie A.
Stayed 8 nights in Aug 2019
Verified
6/10 Okay
Geneviève G.
29 August 2019
Liked: Check-in, listing accuracy
Belle propriété qui merite plus d'entretien et de renovation
Beau site, spacieux, equipement complet mais souvent vétuste, dommage.
Entretien de la piscine à revoir totalement.
Geneviève G.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 24 March 2020
Merci pour votre avis. Nous avons noté vos problèmes et nous les réparerons pour la saison prochaine. Nous avons mis en place de nouvelles dispositions pour le nettoyage de la piscine.
Verified
10/10 Excellent
clare l.
15 February 2019
Views to die for!!
A great property for a large family as you can hire both levels. We stayed with our family of 3 generations and all really enjoyed the house, pool and garden. There are quite a few steps up to the house which is not ideal for elderly parents and little ones, but the views over the mountains are so amazing that it makes it so worth the climb.
The house is very comfortable and very well equipped - everything seems to have been thought about .
Our 6 children loved the pool, gardens and table tennis table and the board games in the evenings.
The location is fantastic as it is so quiet, but you are only a couple of minutes walk from the village with it's shops and cafes.
John ,the owner was so very helpful and even found us a local vet for our dog.
Overall, a super holiday home in a beautiful area
clare l.
Response from VrboOwner on 24 March 2020
Many thanks for your kind words Claire. It was a pleasure to have you here.
We look forward to having you (and the dog!) back at La Paloma soon.
John
Verified
8/10 Good
veronique C.
15 February 2019
Très chouette location parfaitement proche de la mer et des montagnes. Commerces faciles d’accès.
Localisation parfaite. Nous étions 2 familles avec 7 enfants au total. Pas de soucis de place. Piscine bien placee.
veronique C.
Response from VrboOwner on 24 March 2020
Merci pour votre avis.
Si vous souhaitez revenir cette année, veuillez nous en informer.
Nous pouvons offrir des prix spéciaux aux clients revenant.
Sincères amitiés
John
John Biggs
00 44 (0) 7973 214646
Verified
8/10 Good
FRANCISCO DE ASIS M.
12 September 2018
Ben situada per fer sortides a la zona
Tranquila i bones vistes.
FRANCISCO DE ASIS M.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2018
Verified
8/10 Good
sabrina G.
5 May 2018
calme
très bel endroit , vue magnifique .
belle piscine . Maison très bien équipée . Dommage qu'il y ai 2 chambres sans fenêtre .
très bon séjour
sabrina G.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 24 March 2020
Merci pour votre avis.
Si vous souhaitez revenir cette année, veuillez nous en informer.
Nous pouvons offrir des prix spéciaux aux clients revenant.
Sincères amitiés
John
John Biggs
00 44 (0) 7973 214646
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Peter H.
17 November 2017
A fantastic base for cyclists!
La Paloma is a wonderful location for cycling breaks. The scenery and roads around La Paloma are perfect for creating some truly memorable rides. We went out every day on rides organised and guided by John Biggs. The variation in the rides, and some of the views from the mountains made every day an adventure. La Paloma has it all..hill rides, flats, coastal rides. This resort is highly recommended for any keen cycling groups. We will never forget our stay there.
The resort itself is perfect for evening recoveries after a day on the saddle..thank you, John for your hospitality and organisation.
Peter H.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Jon W.
10 August 2017
Fantastic house with astonishing wives
We stayed 2 fantastics weeks, totat 3 families with 5 kids in total between 2-5 years old. cooked many nice dinners and enjoyed the pool.
Jon W.
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2017
Archival
8/10 Good
Patricia H.
7 August 2017
Casa para familias y grupos grandes
Hemos estado una semana un grupo de 10 personas entre adultos y niños y alquilamos tanto la casa como el apartamento. La casa es espaciosa, hay suficientes habitaciones y baños para estar cómodamente y con independencia. La decoración es muy sencilla, tal como se ve en las fotos y hay gran cantidad de menaje de cocina. La piscina es muy agradable, la temperatura del agua muy buena. Por estar rodeada de jardín y plantas, nos hemos encontrado con muchos mosquitos, sería bueno tener mosquiteras en las ventanas. y quizá más ventiladores, ya que hemos estado en una semana de ola de calor.
El propietario resolvió rápidamente un pequeño contratiempo, está muy pendiente y contesta con rapidez. Hemos tenido una buena estancia.
Patricia H.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2017
Response from VrboOwner on 24 March 2020
Hi Patricia
Many thanks for your kind words about La Paloma. You suggestions for improvements were very useful and we will see if we can incorporate them for next season. I am glad that you found he kitchen well equipped and the that pool was warm.
Kind regards
John
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Karine b.
31 May 2017
Havre de paix à proximité de nombreux sites
Maison pleine de charme, grande et fonctionnelle ; un propriétaire adorable ; une vue idyllique, au coeur de l'arrière pays de Collioure...à recommander !
Karine b.
Response from VrboOwner on 24 March 2020
Translation:
'Haven of peace near many sites. House full of charm, large and functional; An adorable owner; An idyllic view, in the heart of the hinterland of Collioure ... to recommend!'
Owner response:
You are very kind, thank you very much. We look forward to welcoming you back to La Paloma.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Sarah E.
25 August 2016
Spacious house, stunning views in great location
We stayed at La Paloma for 10 days this month. We arrived in the dark - so to wake up to that stunning view in the morning was amazing.
There were 12 of us, 7 adults and 5 children and there more than enough space. Plenty of room for us to sit around all the tables, both in and out. The layout was as listed and clean and well maintained, although the villa is slightly more up to date than the apartment.There are rather a few stairs, which was good exercise after all the lovely local cheese and wine but some may struggle with them. Adults and children loved the pool, so much so that we hardly left the villa - great that the pool had gazeboeetc for some shade. Table tennis and mountain bikes got used well too.
The village, Arles surles tech, was very handy to walk to for the shops - Spar, butchers, bakers etc and the restaurants were good, altough not open very late as we discovered on our first night! Bigger supermarkets were about 20 mins away.
John was very helpful and easily contactable with any queries we did have. We had a great time and would love to go back.
Sarah E.
Response from VrboOwner on 24 March 2020
Thanks for your feedback Sarah.
I am glad that you enjoyed the table tennis and the bikes.
We are very lucky to be in a secluded spot with great views yet within a few moments of the shops and restaurants in the village.
We agree that La Paloma is great for large parties. We often have our children and grandchildren here. Having enough space for us all to spread out and do our own thing, yet come back together for meals is a real bonus.
Come back soon …!
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Nick W.
22 August 2016
Fantastic villa with impressive views and a great location...
We have just returned from a fantastic week at La Paloma - we were 7 adults and 4 children and the house was more than spacious enough. The facilities are as clearly explained, and more than comfortable, with plenty of crockery and cutlery to cater for meals, and the convenience of dishwashers to help with the clean up. The best facility was by far was the pool - separate enough from the house that the kids couldn't accidently fall in - a great feature that was used daily. The BBQ got lots of use, with the dining mostly happening on the main terrace. The house was clean and generally well maintained, although the main villa is better appointed then the apartment downstairs. The only negative was that the TV wasn't getting reception, but that wasn't a significant problem - you're not on holiday to watch TV!
The centre of Arles-sur-Tech is only a few minutes' walk away and offers a small Spar store for the essentials, a couple of restaurants and the expected patisserie, charcuterie amongst others. The Abbaye is worth a visit - very beautiful and peaceful. You need to go a little further for a larger supermarket (we went to the one in Céret - about 20 mins drive).
The owner (John) is quick to answer questions and in general great to deal with - we will be recommending La Paloma to friends and family looking for a spacious house to accommodate a large group of people, in a beautiful setting and offering great value.
Nick W.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2016
Response from VrboOwner on 24 March 2020
Thanks for your feedback Nick.
We enjoyed having you at La Paloma. We only added the BBQ for the 2016 season so are delighted that is was a success.
We totally agree with your views about TV on holiday, but are happy to report it is now working well and even has a Google Chromecast so you can access Netflix on it!
We look forward to seeing you, and/or your friends and family back at La Paloma soon.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Petri p.
3 November 2015
Great place for autumn break!
We spend really nice two weeks in La Paloma villa in Arles sur Tech. The village and the surroundings are really beautiful. There are a number of places to visit within short drive and you can easily enjoy both of the mountains and the sea in this location. In many ways the area is more orinal and less crowded compared to other coastal regions in southern France. This time of year (october) you can still have really nice weather (we spent many days enjoying the pool) but as the summer season is over the area is really calm.
The villa is really spacious and it has many terraces and balconies to enjoy of sunshine and the marvellous views over the village and surrounding mountains.
John took very good care of us providing information and checking that everything was ok. I am happy to recommend this rental.
Petri p.
Response from VrboOwner on 24 March 2020
Thanks Petri
You are so right about being at La Paloma out of the main season. It is still warm and the views from the house are even more stunning. We hope to install a pool heater for 2017 so that we can extend the season even further. We have often had Christmas lunch on the terrace, having a pool at 28 degrees for a quick dip before lunch will be a real bonus.
Archival
8/10 Good
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24 July 2009
Good property in Languedoc-Roussillon
A good possibility for families with children. Good property with excellent pool. Charming town and good possibilities for excursions in the Pyrenees.
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Response from VrboOwner on 2 April 2020
Hi Hegn
We are pleased that you enjoyed being in the Pyrenees. We really do believe it offers the best of all worlds. Charming villages, stunning scenery, wonderful coastline and skiing in the winter. People still ask us, why France, why here ….
About the host
Hosted by John Biggs
Living the dream semi-retired and in the south of France.
When we don’t have guests at La Paloma we work hard maintaining and improving the property to ensure that we meet, or indeed exceed, their expectations.
When guests arrive we love showing them round La Paloma and sharing details of the local area, and then leaving them in peace!
Why they chose this property
When I was a young boy my parents drove our family from the UK to the South of France on our first overseas holiday.
We camped on the beach, ate in local restaurants, brought bread from local bakers, cooked in the open air, swan in the Mediterranean and fell in love with the South of France.
From that first trip I’d dreamed of owning a house in France and re-living the experiences that made that first visit so special.
In 2003 on a trip to the South France we stumbled across La Paloma and the dream became a reality.
This often forgotten corner of France enjoys more sunshine than the rest of the country. It’s close to the Spanish border and just a few miles from the Mediterranean.
La Paloma offers the best of all worlds, stunning views across the valley with plenty of space and privacy but just a few moments’ walk from the village.
Having the house full of friends and family has given us some of our best memories of this extraordinary place.
Breakfast on the front terrace overlooking the village, lazy lunches by the pool and long dinners on the back terrace mark the passing of our days here.
What makes this property unique
The sun popping up over the mountain and burning off the early morning mist
Blue sky against the lush green mountain vegetation
Views across the terracotta roofs of the village from the terrace
An early morning dip in the pool
A French lesson from the baker's wife
A sneaky coffee in the village after an early morning run
Catching a glimpse of the pool from the kitchen window
A hard cycle up the valley for breakfast at Prats-de-Mollo-la-Preste
An easy cycle down the valley for a long lunch in Céret
Fresh salmon steamed with lemon and glass of crisp white wine
A drive to the coast and a day on the beach
A walk up to the old mine and a picnic lunch
A sing-song round the piano
A drive over the hill to Spain for tapas and white Rioja
Twisting by the pool
Candle lit dinner on the back terrace
Neighbours popping in for a chat and an aperitif
Billy, the mystery cat who comes and goes
The laughter of children, and their children coming across from the pool
A visit to the vineyard to catch up with the grower and fill up the boot
A gin & tonic at sundown
The chatter of the crickets as the day comes to an end
A night sky with stars like diamonds scattered on velvet
The abbey bells marking the time that passes far too quickly