About
Collioure is a small Mediterranean port town on the French coast, close to the Spanish border. It is the kind of place people visit to walk slowly, look at the water and let the light do the work.
The town drew painters who came to work in its brilliant light. Henri Matisse and André Derain are among the artists linked with Collioure, and it is easy to see why they stayed long enough to paint the harbor's colours. Walking along the waterfront, you can recognise the views that held their attention: the bright boats, the stone and the reflections on the bay.
What to see
- The Royal Castle, a medieval fortress that overlooks the bay and gives the town its profile from the sea.
- The harbour, where traditional Catalan fishing boats bob alongside the beaches, a sight that changes with the time of day.
- The beaches, which sit right beside the old town, so a swim and a stroll through the streets are easy to combine.
Around the town
The surrounding vineyards produce wines that are worth tasting while you are in the area. A visit to Collioure pairs well with time in the countryside behind the coast, where the vines and the sea meet the hills.
Collioure suits a relaxed visit of a day or more: a morning at the castle, an afternoon by the water and an evening in the harbour. If you enjoy painting, photography or simply quiet seaside towns, it is a good place to go.