ABOUT US
A dream come true...
In 2013 I wanted to leave Barcelona to go and live in the countryside, in Llampaies, a small village of 80 inhabitants in Alt Empordà. Life in the city was too stressful and exhausting. I needed to return to the origins , to the rural essence and rediscover the little things that make us happy when we have time.
In fact, ever since she was a little girl, she dreamed of buying a house and turning it into a rural lodging. The years passed and passed, until the summer of 2010.
But what happened in 2010?
Our children, then 5 and 7 years old, insisted a lot that they wanted to live in the country with farm animals etc., it was the same rural life as in this story that we all read together almost every night before going to bed.
If you visit us, we will explain it to you with great enthusiasm.
In Can Gat Vell you will feel at home , we strive to make you enjoy your stay in the best possible way, sharing with us the rural atmosphere that we like so much.
Can Gat Vell is tranquility, peace, silence , enjoying simple things like watching the ants work, listening to the birds singing, observing how we take care of the animals, how the flowers grow, how our cat greets you or how our hens and rabbits ask you for food.
We love our house, we love the charming and generous people of Llampaies and we are lovers of the Empordà , it has surprising corners that we will help you to discover ...
We hope your visit to Can Gat Vell will be unforgettable , enjoy the Empordà and live Can Gat Vell!
Our history, before Can Geli and now Can Gat Vell
Can Gat Vell is much more than a rural house ; it is a place with centuries of history within its stone walls.
The origins of the farmhouse, formerly known as Can Geli, date back to the 11th century in the historic village of Llampaies, surrounding the Romanesque church of Sant Martí.
For generations, the house was home to the Geli family, deeply connected to the land and landscape of the Alt Empordà region. They lived from farming, forestry and livestock, following the traditional lifestyle of Catalan farmhouses.
Throughout the 20th century, Can Geli witnessed authentic rural life: families, farm workers, animals and vegetable gardens coexisted within its walls. The farmhouse gradually evolved while preserving its agricultural and family essence.
Arount 1986, a new chapter began when the property was acquired by Joan V., who carried out a careful restoration respecting the original character of the building . Initially transformed into a well-known regional restaurant, the estate was later converted into independent rural holiday homes, anticipating the growth of countryside tourism in Catalonia.
The restoration preserved original features such as wooden beams, stone walls and decorative pieces collected from antique markets, creating a rural accommodation full of charm and personality.
In 2013, Can Gat Vell entered a new stage with the arrival of our family . We left city life behind to begin a personal and family project in this unique setting.
Since then, we have been caring for and sharing this special place with our guests, maintaining the balance between tradition, nature and hospitality. Today, Can Gat Vell remains a historic farmhouse where guests can experience the calm, authenticity and rural lifestyle of the Empordà countryside.
8 Reasons to enjoy Can Gat Vell
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