Latour-de-France
Encyclopedia
Latour-de-France is a commune
in the Pyrénées-Orientales
department in southern France
.
The village – Latour de France 66720
Originally called “Triniac” or “three views”, Latour de France is situated by the original frontier between France
and Catalonia
and is rich in history. Its military significance ended with the Treaty of the Pyrenees peace between Louis XIV of France and Philip IV of Spain that ended the Franco-Spanish War of 1648–59 but is still evinced in street names such as place de l’hôpital and place d’Armes.
The village is dominated by a castle which has its origins in the 11th century, but most of the present structure is from the 16th and 17th centuries. It stands at the highest point of the village, perched on a hill overlooking three valleys.
This thriving little village of approximately 1,000 inhabitants boasts its own Appellation Contrôlée associated with the forward-looking cave co-operative, a garage, grocery, bakers, tobacconist and blacksmith – the latter 4 within 2 minutes walk of the house. There are two tennis courts, a charming children's’ playground and of course several locations used by petanque enthusiasts. There is even a small, reasonably priced restaurant not far from the cave co-operative and the excellent primary school.
At its perimeter there is a mix of ancient and modern while the old central village is a labyrinth of charming, flowerpot-lined narrow streets. While the Mairie has assiduously maintained and developed its many hidden small squares the village has managed to remain unspoilt and authentic.
Approached through 4 km of gently sloping vineyards from Estagel on the Perignan-Foix road the villages climbs to a sheer cliff on which the castle was strategically constructed. A small bedroom window at the rear overlooks the valley of the Agly.
Thirty years ago, in common with many villages, there were a fair number of derelict properties. These have virtually disappeared having been renovated for the most part by local families. There are few foreigners in Latour de France. The few who are there have always found a real welcome and look on it as a little piece of heaven.
Latour de France is ideally situated between the Mediterranean and the mountains. Gorgeous sandy beaches are only 30 minutes drive while the ski slopes of Font Romeu and Pyrenées
2000 are just over one hour. The mountains provide a refuge from the heat as does the nearby reservoir lake at Caramany. The river Agly flows below the castle and, along its banks families tend their highly productive allotments and summer gardens while there is a communal barbecue site and family meeting place on the far side of the main bridge. If you get a licence there is also good coarse fishing.
There are many well-mapped walking and biking trails through the vineyards with points of interest such as derelict chapels, mines etc. – all surrounded by the most breathtaking views of the mountains.
Communes of France
The commune is the lowest level of administrative division in the French Republic. French communes are roughly equivalent to incorporated municipalities or villages in the United States or Gemeinden in Germany...
in the Pyrénées-Orientales
Pyrénées-Orientales
Pyrénées-Orientales is a department of southern France adjacent to the northern Spanish frontier and the Mediterranean Sea. It also surrounds the tiny Spanish enclave of Llívia, and thus has two distinct borders with Spain.- History :...
department in southern France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.
The village – Latour de France 66720
Originally called “Triniac” or “three views”, Latour de France is situated by the original frontier between France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and Catalonia
Catalonia
Catalonia is an autonomous community in northeastern Spain, with the official status of a "nationality" of Spain. Catalonia comprises four provinces: Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona. Its capital and largest city is Barcelona. Catalonia covers an area of 32,114 km² and has an...
and is rich in history. Its military significance ended with the Treaty of the Pyrenees peace between Louis XIV of France and Philip IV of Spain that ended the Franco-Spanish War of 1648–59 but is still evinced in street names such as place de l’hôpital and place d’Armes.
The village is dominated by a castle which has its origins in the 11th century, but most of the present structure is from the 16th and 17th centuries. It stands at the highest point of the village, perched on a hill overlooking three valleys.
This thriving little village of approximately 1,000 inhabitants boasts its own Appellation Contrôlée associated with the forward-looking cave co-operative, a garage, grocery, bakers, tobacconist and blacksmith – the latter 4 within 2 minutes walk of the house. There are two tennis courts, a charming children's’ playground and of course several locations used by petanque enthusiasts. There is even a small, reasonably priced restaurant not far from the cave co-operative and the excellent primary school.
At its perimeter there is a mix of ancient and modern while the old central village is a labyrinth of charming, flowerpot-lined narrow streets. While the Mairie has assiduously maintained and developed its many hidden small squares the village has managed to remain unspoilt and authentic.
Approached through 4 km of gently sloping vineyards from Estagel on the Perignan-Foix road the villages climbs to a sheer cliff on which the castle was strategically constructed. A small bedroom window at the rear overlooks the valley of the Agly.
Thirty years ago, in common with many villages, there were a fair number of derelict properties. These have virtually disappeared having been renovated for the most part by local families. There are few foreigners in Latour de France. The few who are there have always found a real welcome and look on it as a little piece of heaven.
Latour de France is ideally situated between the Mediterranean and the mountains. Gorgeous sandy beaches are only 30 minutes drive while the ski slopes of Font Romeu and Pyrenées
Pyrenees
The Pyrenees is a range of mountains in southwest Europe that forms a natural border between France and Spain...
2000 are just over one hour. The mountains provide a refuge from the heat as does the nearby reservoir lake at Caramany. The river Agly flows below the castle and, along its banks families tend their highly productive allotments and summer gardens while there is a communal barbecue site and family meeting place on the far side of the main bridge. If you get a licence there is also good coarse fishing.
There are many well-mapped walking and biking trails through the vineyards with points of interest such as derelict chapels, mines etc. – all surrounded by the most breathtaking views of the mountains.