Hostal dels Trabucayres — Restaurant in Céret

The Trabucayres has a fantastic history as first being a hostel for bandits and smugglers (the Trabucayres bandits were named after the trumpet shaped muskets that they carried) and then assuming a greater significance in a stopping off point for Europeans joining the International Brigades fighting Franco (including the famous author, Laurie Lee) and later, for Spaniards escaping Franco in the Retirada. The nearby Col de Li was also used by British airmen escaping German-occupied france and Jews escaping the Nazis.||||So it was a great pleasure to stay in such a wonderful place, but what's it like now?||||A bit basic, but it is what it is. No en-suites, no towels, no soap (even in the toilets) and a basic breakfast of toast and jam.||||The restaurant is actually a lot better than the accomodation and is given a mention in the Michelin Guide of all places.||||Would definitely recommend for a base for a walking holiday but get to bed early as everything closes at 2200||||If you want more luxury, try the gite next door which is owned by the same people.||||Finally, booking is a problem if you don't speak French. They don't have a website, they don't have email and the fax machine is never...

The Trabucayres has a fantastic history as first being a hostel for bandits and smugglers (the Trabucayres bandits were named after the trumpet shaped muskets that they carried) and then assuming a greater significance in a stopping off point for Europeans joining the International Brigades fighting Franco (including the famous author, Laurie Lee) and later, for Spaniards escaping Franco in the Retirada. The nearby Col de Li was also used by British airmen escaping German-occupied france and Jews escaping the Nazis.||||So it was a great pleasure to stay in such a wonderful place, but what's it like now?||||A bit basic, but it is what it is. No en-suites, no towels, no soap (even in the toilets) and a basic breakfast of toast and jam.||||The restaurant is actually a lot better than the accomodation and is given a mention in the Michelin Guide of all places.||||Would definitely recommend for a base for a walking holiday but get to bed early as everything closes at 2200||||If you want more luxury, try the gite next door which is owned by the same people.||||Finally, booking is a problem if you don't speak French. They don't have a website, they don't have email and the fax machine is never...

While the waitress at dinner was almost rude and we had the impression there were personality issues here, this hotel is located in a secluded and beautiful village, and has lots of character. Various famous personalities from the Spanish Republican government fled and were lodged here after the civil war. ||Cold beers after our long 28 kilometre hike on the GR10 were available. The bar and dining room were almost cluttered with memorabilia, such as boar's heads and other trophies, but there were also interesting photos, and it gave the impression that the hotel has not have changed much over the years. The rooms were simple, clean, and the beds were fine. We had a balcony with a view. Food was very good, and the owner seemed attentive and flexible, when we requested an early breakfast. I would have liked to spend another night here to find out more about the history...