Collioure

Between sea and mountains, the Catalan landscapes of the Eastern Pyrenees are full of fabulous treasures. Collioure is one of the nuggets not to be missed during your stay on the Vermeille coast. This small seaside town nestled on the Mediterranean Sea, charms its visitors with its colorful streets and its rich heritage at the entrance to Spain. Make yourself comfortable at Calypso, our campsite near Perpignan with a selection of spacious and modern accommodations, and discover our beautiful region on your way to the city of painters. Located only 40km from Collioure, our campsite in Torreilles has ideal facilities for families with a large heated water park and a strategic location 500m from the beach!

Collioure, pearl of the rocky coast

Small seaside town with a unique charm on the sublime Vermeille coast, Collioure is rich in an incredible cultural and architectural heritage. A former fishing village, it is located less than 30 km north of the Spanish border and 30 km south of Perpignan. Collioure is nestled in a narrow bay on the rocky coast, at the foot of the mountains. It is therefore an unavoidable stopover in the Pyrenees-Orientales , especially if you want to go to Spain. With its emblematic tower, you will be delighted to discover a city of Art with a historical past closely linked to its maritime position as well as some gustatory delights.

What to do and see in Collioure ?

This charming little village at the gateway to Spain is well worth a day trip to the port or to the various cultural sites of the town. Its various beaches will also allow you to put your feet in the water to refresh yourself for a few moments. Discover the cult places and activities to do during your stay in Collioure.

The old town and the military fortifications

The heart of Collioure overlooks the Mediterranean Sea on thecove of La Baleta. On both sides of the coast, the various historical monuments of the city were built taking advantage of its strategic maritime facade. Its small port sheltered in a cove is dominated by the majestic silhouette of a 12th century royal castle . Its walkway offers a breathtaking panorama of the entire bay. Opposite him, on the other side of the cove, the bell tower of theNotre-Dame-des-Anges church and former lighthouse of the medieval period has become emblematic of Collioure.

The beaches and coves of the rocky coast

Wild and natural, you will find in Collioure beaches of pebbles and sands typical of the Vermeille coast. Its rocky and maritime geography allows the city to have access to the sea on long stretches as well as on more intimate places in small coves. In the center of the city, there are the beaches of Saint Vincent and Boramar between the church and the royal castle. The beach of the Faubourg or Port d’Avall is surely the only long sandy beach where you can enjoy the pleasures of water between swimming and water sports. In the continuity of the rocky coast, below the cliffs, the beaches give way to small creeks with turquoise waters. This is the case of the creeks of the Battery and the Blue Rocks.

Art and fauvism

Also known as the “city of painters“, Collioure has charmed several generations of artists with its picturesque setting, its contrasting landscapes and its unique luminosity. It is particularly famous for having marked the painter Henri Matisse, leader of Fauvism. Always appreciated by artists, the royal city of Collioure shelters in its flowered alleys many galleries and art workshops. The House of Fauvism, a must, hosts exhibitions, conferences and workshops on this artistic movement, its influences and its specificities. Central and emblematic in Collioure, the house of Fauvism is naturally the meeting point of the guided tours of the city.

The anchovies of Collioure

Collioure is also famous for its anchovies: the fishing and conservation of anchovies has been practiced in the port of Collioure since the Middle Ages. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, the city’s entire economy was based on this specialty, which provided work for more than 2,000 people. Thirty salting workshops were still present in Collioure after the Second World War. There are two left today. Maison Roque is one of the family companies that perpetuates this tradition and offers visits to its workshops throughout the year (more information on the Anchovy Roque website).

You can find Collioure anchovies and many other local products on the traditional market of the city, as well as on the other markets of the Catalan Pyrenees.

The coastal path

32 km long, the coastal path or “chemin des douaniers” connects the whole vermilion coast from Argelès sur Mer to the Spanish border. For a relaxing stroll or a few hours of exploration, this coastal hike is accessible to all and will take you through sites steeped in history with the Mediterranean Sea in perpetual view. By following the cliffs from the beach of Racou to the cove of Ouille (3km), you will have access to very nice views while allowing you to jump into the water at any time from the creeks. The portion between Argelès and Collioure is one of the most beautiful parts of the coastal path to be completed, because in addition to the natural landscapes that are offered to you, some historical fortifications enrich your walk along the sea. By continuing your way towards Port Vendres, you will indeed pass by the Fort Carré, the Royal Castle or the mill of Collioure. To reach the Fort Saint Elme or the Madeloc Tower (two military buildings very famous in the region) in the surroundings of Collioure, you will have to put on good hiking shoes to be able to climb the Alberes and to pass the numerous unevennesses. These hikes, which last several hours, are recommended for more athletic people.