Perpignan (area)

Nicely placed in southwest France, close to the Spanish border, Andorra, the Mediterranean, and the Pyrenees, from which a constant breeze made the temperatures bearable.

The city itself is a delight; a cosmopolitan feel, with lots of interesting alleyways to explore.

We stayed at La Barcares (thanks Jane), a seaside village purely geared up for the French summer holidaymakers, but easy going with everything you could need, especially for the kids.