Within 25 minutes
of Merrill and Jean Loup's Ste Colombe getaway are :

The Mediterranean coast, including both rocky
coast as well as wide sandy beaches
The cathedral and cloisters of Elne, dating from the 11th century Castelnou, one of the most beautiful villages in France, dating from the 10th century
Perpignan, with its modern attractions, museums
and historic buildings (including Les Estivales de Perpignan summer music, dance, and theatre series; and the Visa Pour L'Image international photojournalism festival)
The Serrabonne priory
Ceret--home to a number of early 20th century artists--with its Museum of Modern Art
The fortress of Salses, dating from the
end of the 15th century
Golf only 18km away

Within 45-90 minutes
of Ste Colombe are:

The Tautavel Museum, the European capital of pre-history
The Abbey of St-Martin du Canigou, dating from the 11th century
The Abbey of St-Michel de Cuxa, with its stunning Romanesque and Pre-Romanesque architecture
Villefranche, the walled city founded in 1090 (with a little yellow train taking you to the high plateaux of the Pyrenees)
Prades and the Pablo Casals festival
Carcassonne, the largest walled city in Europe
The medieval churches of Catalonia
Musique en Catalogne Romane (festivals of Renaissance and Baroque music in Romanesque churches)