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Lazy
days in Leucate | The
beaches | In
Season | Between
Sea and Stone | Sport | Kid's
paradise |
Lazy
days in Leucate
The ancient island of Leucate is now attached to the mainland
due to the caprices of geology. The island is now both the guardian
of Mediterranean traditions and the international showcase for
boardsports and family holidays. Leucate has a rich and surprising
past which began over 7000 years ago and which mixes episodes
of war and successive attacks on the castle, the adventures of
the heroine Françoise De Cezelly and pirate stories. Leucate
is also a commune with a unique topography, which appears to have
been designed specifically for the use of holiday makers: 17km
of white sandy beaches, a 7000 hectare marine lake, a wild cliff
overlooking the sea from 50 metres-high, a micro climate where
the sun shines 300 days of the year. The five entities of the
commune of Leucate: Leucate Village, Leucate Plage, La Franqui,
Port-Leucate and the Naturist Villages, are spread over this landscape.
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A unique and protected site on the coast. The magnificent sand
spreads out its ochre carpet for passionate sand sailers who find
their own private paradise here. This enormous wild beach attracts
increasing numbers of visitors each year, all looking for that
feeling of freedom.
A small family beach hidden at the foot of the cliff between
the end of the resort and the Grau de l'étang de la Palme.
This beach blends into the pretty exceptional pine surroundings.
Various water sport competitions are held here on an annual basis.
Its recently renovated sea front combines modernity and tradition
and is the oldest seaside resort on the Aude coast.
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This is the big family beach which extends from the shelter of
the cliff and is the only beach sheltered from the tramontane.
The beach leads off from several popular coves such as the Plagette.
The sand on this beach reflects its far-off Brazilian relatives
and is internationally recognised as the reference sand in the
composition in concrete.
On its white sandy beach, Port Leucate offers holiday makers an
incredible variety of types of entertainment. This is teenager
paradise, the place they meet up for diabolic beach volley fun.
The beaches of these villages are located between the Grau and
the piers of Port Leucate. They are obviously reserved for naturists
only. Residents or non-residents are welcome.
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Leucate can offer
an incredible quantity and range of sources of entertainment all
year long.
The almond trees flower in winter. The spectacle of these
leafless trees whose delicate white and pink flowers perfectly
match the snow-coverd Canigou in the background is always worthy
of a Japanese art print ...
Authentic nature... This is the favourite season for connaisseurs.
It is ideal for exploring the walking routes on the plateau above
the cliff. And the wild beauty of the landscape will amaze you!
The wide variety of local flora will be in full flower. More than
600 species exist, from the prettiest to the rarest. Daffodils
stand side by side with orchid varieties amid the astounding scent
of thyme.
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Leucate is full of contrasts in summer. While most holiday makers
head for the coast, other sites in Leucate maintain their wild
secrets. In calm surroudings where the cicadas can be heard through
the silence, you can explore the labyrinth of vinyard paths. Follow
the dry stone walls, framing the famous local peaches, to Leucate-Plage
before heading to La Franqui via Cap Leucate and the old fort!
You can walk along the banks of the lake, free as a bird, with
the impression that the "la Caramoun" coves, "la
Rousseille" point or the "grottes des Fées"
are there simply to astound you.
Events
, musical Sundays
await you at the port with strolls accompanied by music of all
types. On Wednesdays, the theatre hits the streets, on Fridays,
the kids are kings and every day of the week orchestras, theatres,
sports tournaments, and discos await you for hot evenings in the
four entities of the commune.
, with the Mondial
du Vent, more than 185 000 visitors come here to admire the best
funboarders and kitesurfers in the world. In May, it's party time
and move over for the Mediterranean tradition of Sol y Fiesta.
Dozens of Bodegas invade the village streets on parade, and many
musical events liven up Leucate during the day. The bull spirit
is also on the front line.
, Porquerolles Figaro
selects the port docks to open the summer season. During this
season, Leucate becomes a reference in Languedoc-Roussillon in
terms of events. The Espace Corrège, unique concert venue
on the Languedoc Roussillon coast, with a total capacity of 30
000 individuals, was opened in July 99 with an exceptional concert
by Johnny Hallyday.
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SPORT
Fly-surf is rapidly becoming a popular sport in the commune. This
new sport, imported from the Hawaiian islands, is taking off in
Leucate. The commune has ideal conditions for this sport, from
the end of the Spring until the end of the Autumn, when the tramontane
relents with its force on the coast.
Leading French seaside resort in terms of wind surf sales,
Leucate is visited by thousands of sports fans from January to
December. All benefit from exceptional weather conditions. Be
it Winter or Spring, Leucate is considered by fans as a top spot.
Top international boarders come here for competitions with the
Mondial du Vent or simply for fun. Leucate is known well beyond
French borders, and all nationalities are welcome here for sports
where the sea battles with the wind.
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Thanks to its environment, its structures and its climatic conditions,
Leucate is a sports station by excellence. Boardsport fans, walking
fans and sports fans in general will all find their spot of happiness
in Leucate.
Leucate is one of the rare sea side resorts in the South of France
providing the possibility to sand sail. This is an extreme sport
which is attracting more and more sensation hunters. Many visitors
from the North of Europe come to the beach of La Franqui to live
out the thrills of this sport.
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BETWEEN SEA AND STONE
In Leucate, the past represents a genuine "fifth element"
with the ground, the sand, the sea and the sky.
Prehistoric men had already elected to live here on the site of
Leucate 7000 years ago. They set up camp on the very site where
Port-Leucate is now located, and in the " grotte des fées
", on the edge of the lake.
Romans laid down their offerings to the spring god, and deserters
hid here years later during the first world war. Greek navigators
from ancient times became part of the ancestors of Leucate: The
land owes its name to the sailors of the island of Leucade. The
contours of this island reflect those of the coast of Leucate.
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All of the main dates in History are etched into the stones
of Leucate. The middle ages to begin with, with the construction
of the first château, followed by the period of border incidents
with the Spanish Kingdom, which justifed the avant-garde fortifications.
Françèze de Cezelly, the heroine of our village
proved her strength in 1589 by resisting the Ligueurs supported
by the Spanish while her husband was held hostage. 47 years later,
her son won a bloody battle against the army of Felipe IV.
on the "barbaric"
pirate incursions along the coast required resources, leading
to the construction of various forts.
to our century, the good
times returned via the first villas on Leucate Plage. At La Franqui,
in the shade of the century-old pine trees, the childhood memories
of Henry de Monfreid still hover. The memories of his father,
the painter Daniel de Monfreid, who invited his artist friends
Paul Gauguin and Aristide Maillol, can still be found too.
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Fishing has always represented the main food resource in
Leucate, particularly in the lake. Before the creation of Port-Leucate,
which substantially extended connections to the sea, the eel was
the main target. The water contained less salt and was ideal for
this fish. This explains why the "pignate" (eel soup)
is the traditional dish in Leucate.
The oysters of Leucate have been appreciated since Ancient times.
They were wild at this time and were only picked in small quantities.
In Leucate, as is the case on all production sites, oysters are
consumed twelve months of the year.
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La vigne à Leucate fait partie intégrante de la
vie de la cité. In the Autumn, wine growers in Leucate
send their harvests to the cooperative wine cellar. This is an
important period on the Leucate calendar. In Leucate, wine growers
and fishermen are the traditional professions. The land is rich,
and produces five appellations of origin including "Fitou",
"Corbières" and "Muscat de Rivesaltes".
The "Caveau Dame de Cezelly" of the cooperative wine
cellar for the wine growers of Cap Leucate can provide a wide
range from local production all year round.
Grillades are traditional in Leucate, and vine shoots are the
ideal main ingredient. A wide choice of meat and fish exists and
was eaten in this way well before barbecues came into fashion.
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The exceptional scenary at Leucate offers all visitors a vast
range of possibilities for walking fans. Walking, mountain biking,
or horse riding are all on the agenda. The walking paths on the
top of the cliffs are particularly popular. Walkers take full
advantage of that blue tinted horizon combining sea with sky and
magic moments sprinkled with colourful flora on open paths. Whether
on the lake banks or the cliff, all paths lead to hidden treasures
which pirates hunted 1000 years ago! Tread down these fully sign-posted
paths and find that astonishing sensation of well-being. Between
pine trees, vine stock and lakes, happiness can also be found
in the "chemins de traverse" which are regularly maintained
and planned for an optimum discovery of "Leucate-la-naturelle".
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* The lake banks
* The cliff and its fortifications
* Carcassonne via the Haute Vallée de l'Aude
* From the Corbières to the Cathares
* The abbeys via the lakes
* The wine grower and shepard's paths
Between children
and parents
With its "station kid" label, Leucate is children's
paradise, its shallow water areas are ideal for paddling with
little legs. In addition, plenty of kids-only activities exist.
Various successful events await them with open arms on a daily
basis during the tourist season on the port or the beach. Paint
or pottery workshops, the beach club, Sea library, and kids' shows
are there to occupy young holiday makers on a daily basis. After
these events, they can head to Aqualand, the permanent fairs or
the sailing or wind surfing schools. Teenagers will find just
as wide a selection awaiting at the resort, full of life and fun.
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L'agence immobilière Lolmede est spécialisé pour l' achat et la vente d' immobilier à Port Leucate ( Aude ) la location appartement à Barcarès pour les vacances.
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