Our Blog. Voyages et Vibes
"Tales from the Têt"
"Sans Voiture, Avec Style" (“without a car, with style”)
April 25, 2025 - The first day of our May holiday
☀️ Biking, Padel & Tapas: A Sun-Soaked Slice of Paradise in the South of France 🇫🇷
Today was the kind of day that fills your lungs with joy and your heart with sunshine. We’re back in our second home here in the magical South of France—this time minus the car, but plus the adventure. And oh, what an adventure it was.
Cycling Through Spring with a Touch of Canigou
We kicked off our first day with a gorgeous bike ride from our home base in Ille-sur-Têt to the charming town of Thuir. Picture this: pedaling under the radiant sun along the tranquil Canal of Perpignan, with peach orchards already in full bloom, painting the landscape in soft pinks and whites. The air was sweet, the breeze was warm, and then—like a postcard come to life—Mount Canigou appeared in the distance, still cloaked in snow. That perfect contrast: spring in full swing below, and winter still whispering from the peaks. Pure magic.
In Thuir, we hit the highlife (the way only carefree travelers with wind in their hair can) with milkshakes at McDonald's—simple joys, right? Then came warm, flaky sandwiches from a local boulangerie, before a spontaneous stop at a sports shop where we snagged Padel rackets for a match later in the evening.
Sun-Kissed and Swept Away by the South
And oh, the weather—a warm, golden hug from the universe itself. If we weren’t already sold on being here, thinking of rainy Holland sealed the deal. ☔➡️☀️
Back in Ille-sur-Têt, we played Padel for the first time—and let’s just say the sun played us just as hard as we played the game. We returned home, slightly sunburnt, definitely sweaty, but glowing with that sweet, southern joie de vivre.
A Cozy Catalan Dinner, Just Us Three
Evening fell, and with it came a cozy, candlelit dinner: just the three of us—me, Jelle, and our little adventurer Kevin. Kristel, our sunshine girl, couldn’t join this time (exam season), but she was with us in spirit.
We feasted like locals—tapas, local wine, and that unhurried rhythm that only the South of France can teach you. We didn’t even start eating until 20:20—just like true Catalans.
Now, the night wraps around us like a warm blanket, and we’re nestled on the sofa, still buzzing from the beauty of the day. Our hearts are full, our legs are tired, and our spirits are as high as the sun that blessed this perfect start to our French escape. 🌿
April 26, 2025 - Day two of our May adventures
"Perpignan, Pour une Pièce"
Cloudy skies couldn’t dull our wanderlust today. With the air still warm and adventure tugging at our sleeves, we traded the calm of Ille-sur-Têt for the buzz of Perpignan—and all it took was a €1 train ticket. Seriously, one euro. That’s cheaper than a croissant.
"Mini Escape, Maxi Vibes”
Just four stops and twenty minutes later, we rolled into the city center, ready to live our best mini-urban French life. First on the list? A little shopping, bien sûr. We wandered through Galeries Lafayette, because some traditions are sacred (and let’s be honest, it’s the unofficial temple of style).
Then came lunch at Les Halles Street Food—we went for the Mexican (🌮, yes please), but the options were endless: Moroccan, Asian, French fusion...a little culinary world tour tucked into one buzzing spot.
Caffeine called, so we answered at Maison Dahlia, a picture-perfect café with just the right amount of Parisian flair. The coffee? Chef’s kiss. The vibe? Cozy meets chic, with a side of “we could stay here forever.”
"A French Day, Dutch Twist”
And while we weren’t in Amsterdam or Rotterdam, the spirit of King’s Day found us anyway—thanks to the many orange-clad Dutchies wandering the streets of Perpignan like sunshine spilled into human form. Definitely less chaotic than back home, but the orange pride was shining strong.
At about 4 p.m., we took a leisurely stroll through the charming streets, soaking in the energy of the city. Walking, wandering, eating, sipping, people-watching—today was all about moving slow and soaking it in.
Day two of our carless escape, and already we’re convinced: this is how you South of France.
April 27, 2025 - le troisième jour
"Rugby Cheers & Sandy Cathedrals: A Slow Day in Ille-sur-Têt”
There’s something magical about waking up in a small French town with no rush, no to-do list—just the gentle promise of a beautiful day. Today marked our third day in the charming village of Ille-sur-Têt.
The day began slowly—the French way. Coffee in hand, croissants still warm from the boulangerie, and the peaceful quiet of village life all around us. There’s nothing quite like a slow breakfast when you have nowhere to be and everything to enjoy.
Later in the day, we headed out to explore something I’d been looking forward to: Les Orgues d’Ille-sur-Têt. I had seen photos, sure—but seeing them in person? Absolutely surreal. These towering stone formations, carved by time, wind and rain, feel like nature’s own sculpture garden. Walking among them, you can’t help but feel small in the best possible way. It’s the kind of place that stays with you long after you’ve left.
After that adventure, it was time to recharge. Back at our cozy place, we spent the early afternoon in pure relaxation mode—a little Mario Bros, a bit of cleaning (just enough to feel productive), and lots of laughter echoing through the house. Simple joys.
Then came a first for me: we went to watch a live rugby match right here in Ille-sur-Têt. The stadium buzzed with energy, locals cheering proudly for the home team—and they won! I didn’t think I’d get so into it, but there’s something addictive about the pace, the tackles, the team spirit. It was such a fun, unexpected experience—and definitely a new travel memory I’ll treasure.
As the sky darkened and we settled back in, I decided it was time for a small memory making moment. We curled up together and watched Pirates of the Caribbean, introducing my son to Jack Sparrow and the wild world of epic adventures.
Today had everything: slow starts, breathtaking sights, playful moments, new experiences, and a touch of cinematic magic to end it all. Ille-sur-Têt, you’ve given us another unforgettable day.
If you’re ever nearby, take your time here. Let the days unfold naturally. You might just find that the simple days are the ones that shine the brightest.
April 28, 2025 - The Adventure Continues: Day Four in Ille-sur-Têt
**🚴♀️ Une Journée à Vélo: From Ille-sur-Têt to the Sea
Day four in Ille-sur-Têt, and I think it’s safe to say: this trip is turning out to be exactly the kind of adventure we didn’t know we needed. With no car, we’ve traded lazy drives for an active, fresh-air-filled escape—our legs are working overtime, but we’re completely happy.
Pedaling for a Picnic"
This morning we hopped on a local train to Perpignan—with our bikes in tow, of course. And here's the kicker: even with bikes, the tickets cost just 1 euro. One. Euro. France, you're spoiling us.
From Perpignan, we mounted our bikes and pedaled our way toward Canet-Plage. The route was a cyclist’s dream: smooth, scenic, and lined with proper bike lanes that made the whole ride feel safe and surprisingly relaxing. There's something incredibly freeing about moving through the landscape under your own steam, feeling the sun on your back and the wind in your face as vineyards blur past.
Once we reached the beach, hunger had fully kicked in—but luckily, we came prepared - we had a pit stop earlier at Carrefour. Fresh baguettes, salades, cold drinks, and a few picnic treats made for the perfect beachside lunch. The Mediterranean shimmered in the background, and for a moment, time just stopped.
Golden Afternoons & Aquarium Dreams
After eating, I stretched out on the sand, soaking in the sun and letting it paint me a shade more golden. Meanwhile, Jelle and Kevin traded sunbathing for a splash of marine magic at the local Aquarium. They came back buzzing with stories of strange sea creatures and the octopus.
Of course, no beach day is complete without something sweet. We celebrated the afternoon with crispy waffles and scoops of ice cream, gazing out at the sea dotted with yachts, each one whispering tales of freedom and faraway lands.
As golden hour wrapped the day in warmth, we cycled back to Perpignan and hopped on the train back to Ille-sur-Têt. Tired legs, happy hearts, and one euro lighter—what more could you ask for?
Back home, we rounded out the day the only proper way: a big plate of spaghetti bolognese à la mama and the third part of Pirates of the Caribbean on the sofa. (Yes, we’re fully committed to the Jack Sparrow marathon now.)
As I write this, the stars are blinking above the red cliffs of Ille-sur-Têt, and the air is filled with that sweet southern calm. Tomorrow’s plans? Who knows. But if today is anything to go by, it’s going to be unforgettable.
**Good night from our paradise. 🌙**
April 30, 2025 - Chapter Last: À Bientôt, Ille-sur-Têt
"Padel, Packing, and the Perfect Southern Tan"
Yesterday was our final full day in Ille-sur-Têt, a quiet wind-down to a trip that, although short, left us all feeling recharged and a little sun-kissed.
Jelle had to work until 16:00, so I claimed the day for myself. I cleaned the house, packed our bags, and of course, took advantage of one last sunbathing session on the terrace. There’s something about the southern sun—maybe it’s the angle, or the dry warmth—but my tan came in strong and fast, with that slightly orange glow that screams "holiday mode activated."
Once Jelle wrapped up his work, we did what had become a bit of a tradition over the past few days—played another round of padel. It's official: we’re hooked - it is surprisingly addictive. We both really enjoyed it, even if we (I) came off the court looking like we’d just run a marathon.
"Vietnamese Flavors and a Boulangerie Farewell"
For our last dinner, we opted for something different and walked to a small Vietnamese restaurant in town. Neither of us had ever been to one before, and it turned out to be a lovely surprise. The highlight? - We got to choose our own wine by heading down into the wine cave. Just us, surrounded by bottles, picking our favorite and bringing it up to the bar. A quirky little touch we won’t forget.
This morning, we woke up at 9:00 and headed straight to the boulangerie, just steps from our house—literally under a minute away. No way were we messing up the spotless kitchen after all that effort yesterday. Croissants, coffee, a crisp blue sky… the perfect final breakfast.
"Goodbye for Now, Ille-sur-Têt"
Then it was time to go to the train station, headed for the airport. Now, as I’m writing this, we’re sitting in the waiting lounge at Perpignan Airport, waiting for our 14:50 flight to Charleroi. After we land, there’s still a 3 to 4-hour drive ahead of us back home to Harderwijk—where Kristel is waiting for us, and where she has hopefully prepared something delicious for supper. We’ll be eating it quite late, still very much in the Catalan spirit of things.
So that’s it. Our little getaway in Ille-sur-Têt, wrapped up with sun, sweat, and some good French wine. Not bad for a few days in the south.
Till next time, Ille-sur-Têt.
We’ll enjoy your greatness again—next time, Le Canigou.
We’re going to miss you.