Laura Sagnier: "The landscape transmits peace to me, here one breathes calm"

The love story of Laura Sagnier with Empordà began more than thirty years ago, when with what was then her boyfriend they started to take weekend getaways. Empordà was the place where they got married and decided to spend their summers, first in a hotel and then buying an apartment: “It’s curious because neither of us had ties there, nor was it a family summer destination, but it became a special place for us”. The activist for equal opportunities for women and men feels a special connection with this territory, which she associates with countless good things and likes for various reasons, such as the light it has, the possibility of being close to the sea and swimming, which she loves. More things: there is a lot of green, it has the perfect combination of sea and countryside, and you can look into the infinite because it is very flat, with hardly any relief. The landscape conveys peace to her, “there is a sense of calm, it is relaxing, and we are wonderful both in winter and in summer, even though the life we lead has nothing to do with it”. In summer, when there are a lot of people, they hardly move from their area. On the other hand, in winter, when traffic is easier, they take the opportunity to do more tourism. Also, cycling through the fields of Empordà has become their main hobby: “I started on medical advice, at a time when I had a lot of stress. Now I try to do it at least three times a week. Pedaling and finding sunflower fields is incredible”. Another of Sagnier's hobbies is eating and drinking, and he assures that Empordà has an impressive gastronomic offer: “I increasingly like simple cuisine with good products. In this area there are great professionals and at a price that can still be afforded”. Among his recommendations are the Toc al Mar shack in Aiguablava, especially for dinner; a lifelong restaurant like Vicus in Pals; Cala Nena in Peratallada, for a treat, or the Mooma cider house in Palau-sator.He says that the people from the area are also particular, he thinks they are a bit abrupt but genuine, sincere. “The people you deal with are fantastic, really. I've been buying fruit and vegetables from the same farmer for over twenty-five years, I go to the market… I like them a lot”. Besides taking advantage of the proximity to the sea, it suggests visiting villages in the area that are true gems like Peratallada or Pals, beautiful. To the list of must-sees, it adds the Jam Museum in Torrent, and climbing the Montgrí massif, “from this Natural Park you can see the Medes Islands and the mouth of the Ter river”.