This was the lovliest place we have ever stayed; exceeding our expectations. Our hosts, Jeni and Jean- Pierre were informative, charming and kind but never intrusive. The premises were spotless and beautiful. We could walk to the river Tet and a short drive took us to the ocean but who wouldn't want to relax by the pool? Their suggested restaurants were delicious and delightful. It was nice, however, to make an American Breakfast in the well equipped kitchen and barbecue on the patio. Quint villages,historic sites and the major city of Perpignan are all within easy reach. We loved the place and hope to return soon and rent both places.We woke every morning there and talked about being in heaven.

We received a warm, friendly welcome from JP on our arrival at Mas de le Riviere as he gave us a guided tour of the farmhouse and the facilities available in and around the property. The rustic French charm of the farmhouse didn’t disappoint and before long, following JP directions, we headed off to a nearby supermarket for supplies. Cupboards and fridge suitably stocked, we settled down with a chilled bottle of champagne, kindly left in the fridge by our hosts, and before long we had relaxed and were officially in holiday mode. A daily cycle ride to Villelongue de la Salanque for baguette and croissant ensured we were suitably fortified for a day of exploring local places of interest and beauty; and there are so many! There is a host of medieval villages only a short drive away, each with its own particular charm and history. One particular favourite was Eus. The delightful French guide who proudly explained the history of the church at the very top of the village spoke little or no English. However he managed to convey, to his non French speaking audience, how the church was built using hand gestures and animal sounds. A memorable experience! Well worth a visit is the Tet valley and the surprising unique landscape of the fairies chimneys - completely breathtaking. The Saturday market at Ceret followed by a trip to Les Gorges de la Fou is another day out we thoroughly enjoyed. Not for the faint hearted is Chateau-Fort Liberia in the Tech valley. A beautiful panoramic view awaits following a 844 step climb! A day relaxing by the pool at the farmhouse or, for the more active, table tennis, basket or volley ball is always a welcome option. From our first enquiry till the end of our stay Jeni and JP were helpful and considerate hosts and we would have no hesitation in recommending Mas de la Riviere. Our only problem was leaving at the end of two weeks.

Great, spacious house with private patio. Large shared garden with lots to do for kids and fab pool. Hosts are very nice and helpful. Area is great: beach, mountains, vineyards, seafood. Highly recommended.

The old farmhouse just outside of Villelongue de la Salanque offers space, a top 13 m pool, very friendly owners next door and all that in a very charming setting. We enjoyed our evenings outside on the veranda below a Glycinie, barbequeing fresh local food and our kids playing with the owners son and other guests kids. The whole property is very large so that you can stay for yourself our you use the opportunity to get in contact with the very helpful and friendly owners or other guests living in another house located on the property.

If you come across this property whilst browsing book it immediately. It is without doubt the best place i have stayed in. The house is very spacious ideal for families.In the grounds there is a badminton net, basketball hoop,and a little slide for the children. There is a big pool with lots of floating accessories for kids and adults . The village is about a 10 min walk where you can get your essentials milk etc it also has the BEST pizza place in the galaxy . If you need a supermarket its a 5-10 min drive and is vast and easy to get to you can get petrol here too.Out and about the beaches are great I recommend St Cyprien lots of places to eat here and lovely sand.Finally the hosts Jeni JP and family i cannot tell how great they are. Our in laws arrived sunday at 10-30 in the evening Jeni picked them up from the station for a small fee(cheaper than a taxi) and dropped them off at 6-30 in the morning when they left. Also we needed a few things for when we arrived Jeni went to the supermarket for us before our arrival.There is an artichoke field nearby Jeni kindly doanted some to us how nice they were.Nothing was too much trouble i could go on but I'm running out of words. Again I stress book this property you will love it.

We had two wonderful weeks at the Pumphouse. The owner are such nice and helpful host, they do an excellent customer service and are thereby very guarded and behave with integrity and discretion, it’s just like being alone on an island but if you need help they are straightaway on the mat ;o) The house is god organized and even with two family’s your able to keep your privacy about the house shape of an »L«. The table out site is perfect and we tuck all our meals there. The playgrounds for the children around the house and on the owners ground are just having something for every age. The pool area is saved, even smaller children can go play around the house without parents need to be worried all the time. The washing machine for free use makes it easy to just pack up a small suitcase. The house area is nicely quiet but you’re close to lots of activities if you wish some action. Also the shopping areas are easily to reach. Wir hatten zwei super tolle Wochen ! Die Eigentümer sind sehr nette, hilfsbereite Gastgeber. Sie sind sehr diskret und man bemerkt sie kaum, aber wenn man Hilfe benötigt »stehen sie sofort auf der Matte« und kümmern sich darum. Das Haus liegt sehr angenehm an ruhiger Lage, gleichzeitig ist es sehr Nahe an verschiedensten Aktivitäten wenn man Action braucht und auch die Einkaufsmöglichkeiten sind sehr nahe und einfach erreichbar. Das Pumphaus hat einen guten Grundriss, darin können auch zwei Familien ihre Privatsphäre haben durch die »L« Form die es hat. Es hat verschiedene Spielplatzmöglichkeiten auf dem ganzen Areal für Kinder in jedem Alter welche frei genutzt werden kann. Der Pool - Bereich ist durch ein Gatter gesichert, so können auch jüngere Kinder ums Haus spielen gehen ohne dass Eltern ständig in Angst sein müssen. Die Waschmaschine welche gratis benutzt werden darf macht es einfach, dass man nur einen kleinen Koffer mitnehmen kann.

Lazy Day ? Active Day ? Both are available in great variety in this attractive part of Languedoc-Roussillon. Whether you want to laze by the pool in delightful grounds with lots of things for children to do, enjoy outdoor meals in your private eating area, let the day go by in the quiet of the beautiful, quiet surroundings or sally forth from the Mas de la Riviere the choice is yours. Excursions to beautiful, safe beaches only a couple of kilometers away in Canet, St.Marie, St.Cyprien, to busier Argeles sur Mer, to Aqualand, to bustling historic Perpignan, to rambling or more serious walking in the nearby hills and gorges of the Pyrenees with attractive towns and villages to explore, to wander along the coast to picture postcard Collioure or to the Cathar castles and fortresses near to Narbonne which is worth a visit in itself , to wine-tasting trips to excellent vineyards, to trips into Spain to Barcelona, Girona, the Dali Museum in Figueras or to the unspoilt parts of the Costa Brava it's all just a short distance from Jeni and JP's holiday accommodation. There never seems time to do it all but a car is essential. We are an extended family of 7, aged from geriatric to teenagers and we have been returning to the Mas de la Riviere every year since we discovered the property and its charming, ever attentive and never imposing, owners. We love the location, the warmth of our welcome, the spaciousness of the property, its cleanliness and freshness and the excellence of the fittings and equipment. With two sitting rooms, spacious bedrooms and lots of out door space we have never felt any of the often experienced holiday feeling of everyone being ""all of a heap". Our repeated return bears witness to our satisfaction with la Mas de la Riviere and its owners. We cannot recommend this too highly and look forward to ongoing return there for many years to come.

We were staying over at the Mas de la riviere with 2 grandparents, 2 parents, 2 kids (13 and 10 yrs) and 2 dogs. First we really got a warm welcome of the owners. The biggest plus is the huge shaded garden with enough seats around the table and 4 lounge beds to relax. The girls really loved the pool and the tennis table. The kitchen is well equipped and spacious enough. A second bathroom would have been nice, but for us it was okay sharing one. If we were going with 6 again next year, we would stay here again. The temperature is better than at the Atlantic and there are enough things to do; stroll around the old parts of Perpignan, Girona, Collioure (bring swimsuits and snorkling stuff!) or Carcasonne, the adventure park or waterski in Leucate, Aqualand in St. Cyprien. Still on our list: hydrospeed on the Aude and a visit to Conflent. Tip; spend the afternoon at the Naudo beach club (opposite Camping Mar Estang), rent two beds with a parasol for 10 euros, order espresso have a swim (bathroom and shower are at the club) and stay for dinner!

This is our second trip to the Mas and always a good time. We love Jeni and her family. We would come back every summer if we could. It is always relaxing, beautiful and enjoyable. Jeni and J-P make it feel like home, only better. Could not recommend it more.

Overview: Staying at Mas de la Riviere provided everything we wanted from our French Mediterranean holiday – from the generous space and excellent facilities to the kindness and support of the owners in residence onsite. The location was an ideal mix of private family time at the house, sightseeing in the local area, and local quality beaches. We spent 3 weeks there with a group ranging from 5 to 68 years old and everyone found it thoroughly enjoyable. The Setting: a quiet corner of a country village providing peace and solitude whilst giving easy access to local attractions and amenities. A real French feel to the setting, retaining much of the traditional character of the farmhouse which made it feel very “real”. Was also a great area for running and cycling as the roads were mostly quiet and devoid of cars. Facilities: inside the house the facilities were exactly what you would expect from a high end holiday house – fully equipped kitchen, TV and entertainment system, spacious rooms with plenty of seating and lighting, and adequate provision for clothes etc. in the bedrooms. Outdoors, the barbecuing and eating facilities were thoughtfully planned with generous amounts of space around each house. Privacy was achieved whilst allowing free and easy access around the gardens and to the pool area. The huge garden also provided plenty of space for the children to run around, use the playground, ping-pong table and other facilities on offer. Pool: cleaned every morning by the owners. Although it is immediately behind the rear of the owner’s house (i.e. in their back garden) it always felt very comfortable being there. Lots of pool toys, flippers, etc. all provided in the pool room. Owners: a lovely couple who were attentive without being imposing. Always available should we have a question and informative on what’s on locally. Jeni will prepare evening meals upon request which was absolutely ideal on our first night having taken a late afternoon flight. Also did a first shop to get the essentials in the fridge! Value for money: the cost of renting the houses is not cheap but is entirely justified given the facilities and ambience of the setting, the level of service and support from the owners and the resulting enjoyment. Overall Verdict: we'll be back...!!

We spent a week here around the middle of July. Plenty of room for both of us, our daughter (17) and two boys (15 and 12). They loved the pool and the feeling of being in the countryside. Really enjoyed our stay.

We rented the Farmhouse from the Bechara's for the month of Aug '09. While I wouldn't recommend driving on the first day of August through France, I would recommend staying here! The house is spacious and comfortable and the property is quiet and relaxing, a short distance from a local village but not isolated due to the 3 houses sharing the property. There is plenty of outdoor space, both private and communal. Most importantly, the Bechara's make every effort to accommodate their guests and their needs. You name it, from reservations, to sites, to local info, to special dinners... We had a wonderfully relaxing month and thoroughly enjoyed this lovely part of France and this special property.

We used jeni and JP's two houses to accommodate friends and family in the week leading up to our son's wedding. Not only were the properties excellent, our hosts could not have been more welcoming and kind. On the evening before the wedding we were able to entertain almost 60 people. The houses are very well equipped with china, cutlery and serving dishes, so much so that the only thing we needed to borrow from Jeni was her Magimix. We did not use the houses for a holiday as such but had we done so, the surrounding area seemed lovely, the houses were only 5 mins from the beach and the drive to other destinations such as Barcelona and Carcasson was very straightforward. The swimming pool is lovely and children really enjoyed table tennis. The pumphouse has air conditioning and being on the flat was perfect for one of our guests who has mobility problems at present. It was equipped with camping cot, changing mat, high chair etc. The farmhouse had the most beautiful mosaic flours and a lovely sitting room so was very different in character to the pumphouse. By 3 days before the wedding, 14 of us eventually shared and the only thing we noticed with that number of people was that the number of towels provided could have been a bit of an issue. We were carrying suits and bridesmaids dresses so were tight for luggage weight but normally we would have had beach towels and I would recommend that they are taken with you. That said, there is a washing machine and tumble drier so it wasn't a huge issue. Jeni very kindly hung out washing or took it in for us and given that we were very busy during the last 2 - 3 days, that was incredibly useful. The very best thing about the houses are the owners. They just could not have been more thoughtful. The recommendation for supper at the Zsa Zsa club was excellent. It caters for children and the food was delicious. We would certainly recommend it and having enough people to occupy both houses was great fun. Enjoy!!!

We had a wonderful holiday at Mas de la Riviere in July 2009. The property is very clean and has everything that you could possibly need during your stay. The owners are friendly and helpful, and our children had a lovely time with their youngest child. The pool is the best that we have seen in any holiday house, and the diving board and pool depth were a real bonus, as well as the steps for smaller children. We enjoyed the Bastille celebrations in the local village, where there are basic shops, and a free tennis court too. There are lots of lovely places and nice beaches within 15 minutes drive, and some fantastic sightseeing just a little further. We would particularly recommend the Dali museum in Figueres, Colliure, Villefranche de Conflent and Castelnou, and if you go in July, there is fantastic live music and entertainment throughout Perpignan on Thursday evenings. We just wish we had had more time to do more! In summary, a great place for a family holiday, with lots to please all the family, whether you want a very relaxing holiday, or an action packed visit.

The farmhouse is an idyllic way to spend a holiday. The house is spacious and comfortable. The apricot trees are full and delicious. Jeni and her family are next door-- incredibly friendly and helpful. There is a ton to do and see: mountains, vineyards, historical sites, Cathar castles, and the beautiful sandy beaches up and down the coast. Do everything or do nothing. Sometimes do both in the same day! The food, the people, the sights--everything is wonderful. Spain is just down the road. It was easy to drive and find everything--even for a family, like mine, who had never driven a car in Europe before. I never wanted to leave. You will absolutely love this holiday. It's more like visiting friends than renting a place. But it is still private and cozy during your stay. The pictures of the house tell it all. We are going back the first chance we get.

My family and I stayed at the Farmhouse in September 2007. It has retained its essentially French character but has all the mod cons necessary. We especially enjoyed sitting out in the courtyard in the evening, having a BBQ and leisurely glasses of wine, and my father (85) looked forward to having a cool dip in the swimming pool. One of my husband's favourite memories of the holiday was cycling down to the village in the morning for fresh baguettes and croissants for breakfast. The Bechara family were very friendly and helpful. The nearby town of Perpignan has many places of interest to visit, as well as lively bars and restaurants. Lovely beaches are not far away - but a car is a 'must'.

We had a great time here. This is a holiday that combines clean, spacious and characterful accommodation; the option of a beach and pool; mountains and seascapes; activities for kids or simply lazy Roussillon days, What's more, the Becharas are generous, welcoming hosts, and will provide you with all sorts of local tips to make the most of your holiday. We particularly liked the restaurants in Perpigan, the shops in the old town, the general ambience of Collioure, the beach at Canet and the waterfront bars and cafes at San Cyprien.

We have enjoyed a wonderful break here. The owners have provided a beautiful property, well maintained and were incredibly helpful with any queries or to share useful local knowledge. A great location, with pool in the garden, and a fabulous coastline a very short drive away. There are lots of activities here, the kids went riding and played tennis regularly. We found some fab bars and restaurants in Perpignan, Coullieres and Banyuls and with Spain and the mountains all near enough for day trips, this really was the best break we have had in a long time.