: Collioure

Collioure is a jewel of the French Mediterranean coast in the Pyrénées-Orientales, celebrated for its postcard-perfect harbour with a medieval castle, a bell tower that was once a lighthouse, and the deep blue waters of the Côte Vermeille. The town was a magnet for Fauvist painters, including Matisse and Derain. Collioure is also famed for its anchovy industry.

Collioure has a railway station on the TER line from Perpignan to Portbou (Spain). By car, the D914 coastal road connects to Perpignan (30 minutes).

Collioure is compact and best explored on foot. The old town, port, beaches, and Château Royal are within minutes. The coastal path to Port-Vendres and Banyuls-sur-Mer offers stunning walks.

The Château Royal, a seaside fortress. The Église Notre-Dame-des-Anges with its iconic pink dome and bell tower. The old port with colourful fishing boats. The anchovy museum (La Maison de l'Anchois).

Visit the Fauvist art galleries. Walk the coastal path. Swim at the small beaches. Summer evening concerts in the Château Royal.

Seafood and Catalan cuisine: anchovies, grilled sardines, bouillabaisse, fideuà. Portside restaurants.

Collioure AOC wines. Banyuls sweet wine. Pastis.

A high density of hotels and holiday rentals. Prices highest in summer. Camping just outside town.

Collioure anchovies. Collioure AOC wines and Banyuls sweet wine. Local art and Catalan espadrilles.

Port-Vendres (3 km). Banyuls-sur-Mer (8 km). Cerbère at the Spanish border (10 km). Perpignan and Figueres.