The coastal town of Collioure in the Pyrénées Orientales in the Catalan region of France has a lot of charm, which is why it attracts so many tourists on sunny days. With its old town centre, emblematic church, royal castle and modern art museum, the charming town of Collioure has a lot to offer. Moreover, it is described as one of the most beautiful towns in Occitanie, a real gem on the Côte Vermeille. When in Collioure, take the opportunity to discover the main monuments and enjoy the many activities in the area. In the Languedoc Roussillon region, you will find numerous campsites near Collioure.
What to visit in Collioure Discover the beautiful historic town centre
Take a nice stroll through the village and, above all, don’t forget to visit the following:
- Notre-Dame-des-Anges church, a 17th-century seaside landmark. The interior contains Baroque masterpieces, including the altarpiece by Joseph Sunyer. The monument watches over a number of treasures, including the high altarpiece, a huge gilded wooden tryptych.
- The Royal Castle is the next attraction and stands proudly on the shores of La Baleta bay. It is more than 700 years old and was fortified by Vauban. You will not only learn about the castle, but also about the history of the village and its surroundings.
- You can pause on the terrace of one of the cafés or ice cream parlours to watch the arrival of anchovies, freshly caught in the port.
- Collioure’s windmill is an unmissable attraction just 15 minutes from the castle. Although the mill towers high above the town, you have to make some effort to get there. This building dates back to 1337 and is now used to make oil.
- If you have time, make a diversion to the cemetery to see the grave of Antonio Machado, the ‘Spanish Victor Hugo’. A letterbox has been specially installed on his grave, which is still filled with letters!
Activities to do in Collioure
As Collioure is a seaside resort in the Pyrénées-Orientales region, the Mediterranean coast is the place to be for water sports activities. Here are a few ideas for things to do in Collioure:
- Boat trips: by boat, you can explore the coastline with its bays and beaches along the Mediterranean. From the water, you will discover the village in a completely different way, a great experience to share with friends and family.
- Visiting Collioure’s most beautiful beaches is a perfect way to re-energise, especially as most of them are a short distance from the town. Among the most beautiful are Plage de Faubourg, with stunning views over the Mediterranean Sea; Plage de l’Ollie, a pleasant little beach between rocks and vegetation; Plage de l’Ouille between Collioure and Agrelès-sur-Mer; and Plage d’en Baux towards Port-Vendres, a charming cove surrounded by rocks and plants.
- Taste the local specialities including Collioure’s famous anchovy, known for its iodine aroma. Collioure AOC wines are the perfect choice with Mediterranean dishes and aperitifs.
- Take your family for a walk in the area, especially to Fort Saint-Elme, a strategically located fort on a hill overlooking the village. You can walk there for about 45 minutes. The coastal path and inland mountains offer plenty of opportunities for hiking and mountain biking.
- The Paulilles site is not to be missed. This former dynamite factory from 1870 has been partly converted into a museum where visitors can learn more about life in the factory and see models. Tours of the bay are also offered. Paulilles Bay is one of the most popular listed sites in the Pyrénées Orientales department.
Traditional festivals in Collioure
Since 1701, on August 16, Saint Vincent has been celebrated with a large fireworks show, the most popular in the area due to its spectacular location in the bay. Saint-Vincent is a large traditional festival that used to celebrate the arrival of the relics of the city’s patron saint. Over the past 3 centuries, these festivities have become one of the highlights of local city life. Every year, thousands of visitors attend the various events, such as sea parades in Catalan boats, water games, concerts and brass bands, dance parties, sardane dance and street theater… Since 2016, the village of Collioure has added the anchovy festival! This little blue fish, emblematic of the city, is celebrated in early June with filleting demonstrations, tastings and drawing workshops for children.
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