The town of Collioure: a quiet French province in the off-season. Collioure – the beginning of the French Riviera The main city event

The small coastal French town of Collioure is located just twenty kilometers from the French border and. It was once the largest port in the province of Languedoc-Roussillon and was famous for its powerful military fort, despite the fact that at that time it was only a quiet and wonderful little fishing town. To this day, in Collioure you can see an impenetrable fortress built in the seventh century. This citadel helped the city and its surroundings at different times, so it was constantly strengthened and improved until the seventeenth century.

Another attraction of Collioure is the Chateau Royale, a royal castle that was home to the kings of Mallorca and Aragon in the fourteenth century. It was built by the Knights Templar in the thirteenth century for the purpose of protection. At the same time, Collioure began to be considered a kind of sea gate. At that time the city was still under Spanish rule. The city became the property of France in 1659. In the fifteenth century, the architect Vauban was called upon by the authorities to complete the construction of the castle: to add a strong fortress wall to it. In the seventeenth century it was completed again, this time fortifications were erected. True, in the process of working and improving the citadel, some historical city buildings were destroyed. Nowadays, you can purchase a ticket to visit the castle or a full tour of it. And there is something to see here: it is perfectly preserved, its Gothic architecture is magnificent, various exhibitions are constantly held here, and historical films are shot. The walls of the castle, several meters thick, are impressive, as are its intricate corridors, the secret underground passage connecting the tower with the fortress, and what is most impressive is the view from above of the sea surface, the town and the mountains visible in the distance.

The symbol of the city of Collioure, by default, is the interesting church of Notre-Dame des Anges, built in the seventeenth century, which looks like it came out of a picture. It stands on a powerful rock; its round tower was once also a lighthouse. Inside are hidden beautiful church altars - of extraordinary beauty in the Baroque style, the work of Joseph Sunier and other Catalan masters.

The city port of Collioure has changed little since the days when the main income-generating activity for local residents was fishing, rather than serving tourists. The harbor is filled with boats, longboats, boats and ships. There are as many as three canneries in Collioure, which is a lot for such a small town - this indicates the large volumes of fish caught here. Guides say that Collioure is the beginning of the French Cote d'Azur. To be honest, this statement is a little disappointing for those who have not been to the main resorts of the French Riviera. The fact is that there are three beaches here: both pebble and sandy, which are located along the bays, but the entrance to the water is so rocky and unpleasant for the feet that you involuntarily think: what is it so famous for? French Riviera? But, do not forget that this is only the starting point of this territory, and not the famous resorts of the French Cote d'Azur, so do not take the words of the guides literally. The uniqueness of the small sandy beach of Collioure is the stone pier leading to the islet. Being here, it seems that you are on some kind of uninhabited island. It’s nice to sit here admiring the surface of the sea, go fishing, sit quietly alone with beautiful nature, breathing in the fresh sea air.

City of Collioure- unusually pleasant and colorful; with its beauty it attracted many talented artists, writers and poets. For example, in 1905, the authenticity of the city attracted Matisse, who simply fell in love with the neat, brightly colored houses, surrounded by tall cypress trees, and the nimble fishing boats, of all kinds of cheerful colors, scurrying along the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean Sea. The artist Andre Derain also came to work here and painted beautiful paintings, illuminated with incredibly bright colors. Both Pablo Picasso and Charles Rennie Mackintosh worked here. Walking along the narrow cobblestone streets, you can come across more than one art gallery and souvenir shop. Walking around Collioure, you can often see empty picture frames on a stand; if you don’t know what they are, you won’t immediately understand that this means that some famous painting was painted from exactly this place and with the same view. So you don’t even have to see the picture with your own eyes to know what was depicted on it, because everything is already before your eyes. And time in this city seems to have stood still somewhere in the eighteenth century. Collioure is now French, but one gets the feeling that this is one of the purely Spanish cities. It’s as if this place was created to order for romantic natures. Of course, Collioure also has a French flavor, but with a Spanish spirit.

France is famous for the sweet table wines produced here, as well as excellent vintage wines. Therefore, every traveler considers himself obliged to go to one of the many wine cellars and purchase several bottles of this light alcoholic product.

The city of Collioure is located on the Vermilion coast of the Mediterranean Sea, 20 km from Spain. This picturesque city of Languedoc will not leave anyone indifferent!

There are only about 3,000 inhabitants in this city, but it is so rich in historical and cultural events, how many are captured in Collioure’s paintings.

This city was known about 300-250 BC, first the Celts occupied this area, then the settlement of the Iberians, constant raids by the Phoenicians and the occupation of the land by the Romans, Goths and Visigoths. Devastation by the Saracens and Normans under the leadership of the Kings of Aragon and Majorca, French or Spanish... and so it was until the Treaty of the Pyrenees (1659), in which Roussillon would be permanently attached to France.

Fortifications (glacis, which are still preserved) were built around the city, Fort Mirador was erected. All difficulties and disorders in the city began during the revolution and at the beginning of the nineteenth century (droughts, epidemics, explosion of the powder magazine...).

The rapid development of trade with North Africa takes place mainly in Port-Vendres, which becomes a center that will contribute to the economic revival of fishing, pickling and winemaking. Finally, a fruitful year for the city was the stay of the artists Henri Matisse and André Derain (Henri Matisse and d'André Derain - the founders of Fauvism and other followers such as Albert Marquet, Juan Gris, Georges Braque, Picasso, Raoul Dufy, Foujita, Othon Friesz, Paul Signac) in 1905, after which the city will change its status: “small fishing port” to “city of artists” and acquire the flagship of a tourist resort on the Mediterranean coast...

What interesting things can you see in this city?

Every year from 14 to 18 August, the medieval festival of St. Vincent takes place in the streets of Collioure. The procession at sea on August 16 is the main event of the holiday. This celebration dates back to 1701 due to the arrival of the relics of St. Vincent in the city. This holiday took place every year until the establishment of the law of separation of church and state in 1905, but since 2001 (on the occasion of the tricentenary of the holiday), the procession at sea has been revived!

-Be sure to look at the Chapel of Saint Vincent (1642) on the rock overlooking the sea.

-Fort St Elmo is a fortress located on a hilltop between Collioure and Port-Vendres. Thanks to its strategic position, it covers all nearby towns and has stunning sea views. The first La Guardia tower was built in the 9th century.

-The tower of fire "torre de la Madeloc" is a signal tower from the 13th century, part of the defensive system that was created by the kings of Majorca and was implemented in Roussillon - this is a system of lights of special light signals: at night a fire is lit, during the day it is used to produce smoke . The tower is located at an altitude of 656 meters above sea level on a rocky cliff.

Medieval mill Collioure, located in the mountains.

Above Collioure, see the unique complex of the Round Fort and the Square Fort (Fort Rond and Fort Carré) built between 1726 and 1770.

-Overview of the 17th century Hermitage of Our Lady of Consolation (Notre Dame de Consolation) in the heart of the forest, 3 km from the city you will find this church for hermits.

-The Notre Dame des Anges church with the tower of an old lighthouse was built on the city embankment. The church was built in the Southern Gothic style, surrounded by the sea on three sides.

-Castle Collioure, a great citadel whose foundations extend into the sea, was built on the ruins of Roman buildings, then transformed following the times by the Visigoths and mentioned for the first time in 673. It was then planned to be rebuilt as a summer residence for the royal court of Majorca. It was turned into a prison in 1939 or a disciplinary camp for refugees from Spain. Nowadays exhibitions are often organized there. It is sometimes called the castle of the Templars, but this is a mistake, since it was built long before the Templars arrived in Roussillon.

Collioure, France.
We continue to travel around the European province... This time France.
The southern coast of France, a quiet resort town, an empty beach, a sea breeze and a glass of scalding grog... This French town becomes truly cozy only in the off-season. I definitely recommend it for visiting in the autumn-spring period. Shall we take a walk to the old lighthouse?

Not far from the French-Spanish border lies this picturesque Catalan town of Collioure, which inspired Matisse, Dirand and Chagall to create their works and is a mecca for fans of their talent. It is called the birthplace of Fauvism (a movement in French painting of the 20th century). In the Bay of Collioure rise the impenetrable walls of the Royal Castle. Over the centuries, the city has repeatedly passed from the Aragonese to the French crown, which gives it a peculiar flavor.

The French provinces of Languedoc and Roussillon are Catalan. Once upon a time, French Catalonia and Spanish Catalonia were united. Nowadays, French Catalans are clearly less nationalistic. In France they are first French, and then Catholics, but in Spain it’s the other way around: first they are Catalans, and then they are Spaniards, and they are always trying to separate themselves from Spain.

From Spain we drove along the serpentine road rather than the autobahn; it took longer, but was much more beautiful:

The main face of Collioure is the chapel of the Notre-Dame des Anges church, rising directly from the sea, which now plays the role of a lighthouse in Collioure Bay. It acquired its current appearance in 1818 and now adorns the central embankment along the edge of the pebble beach.

In the very center of the town there is a quiet small bay, just imagine how many people in the summer will want to take their “place in the sun”, but in March it is almost empty:

Bridge-path to the old lighthouse:

Once upon a time, Collioure was the capital of the state of Mallorca (not to be confused with the island) - one of the Catalan kings allocated a separate state to his son, which included the present-day island of Mallorca and a number of other territories. And since the island was too close to the Moors and an attack by the Moors from the sea was most likely there, a safer place on the mainland was chosen for the capital, namely Collioure. By the way, it is translated as “free mountain”. Freedom comes precisely from the Moors.

The first fortress appeared in Collioure in 673. The Templars built a citadel castle in the fortified village, and in 1276 the King of Mallorca made it his summer residence. In the 15th century, the castle was strengthened by the king of Aragon. Now this huge fortress of gray stone and brick battlements added by Vauban rises in the depths of the bay, strangely contrasting with the cheerful village. It is called the Royal Castle; exhibitions of contemporary artists are held in the halls. All interesting premises are open to the public.

The Templar castle at Collioure is a very powerful military structure, protecting the approaches from the sea with underground communications, some of which are still used by the French military.

On the way back we met a sea urchin catcher for restaurants:

The town is very compact and cute:

But this sign finally convinced me that this is my city :)

We drove around Spain in a wonderful Mini Cooper, rented for only 16 euros per day!

Read about the rental experience and our route here.

The small French coastal town of Collioure, located just 20 kilometers from the French border with Spain, represents the beginning of the Cote d'Azur. It was once the largest port located in the province of Languedoc-Roussillon. Previously, it was famous for its powerful military fort, although at that time this settlement was a small, wonderful and quiet fishing town.

It is still located in Collioure (Collioure France), built in the 7th century. The citadel served as protection for the city and its surroundings for many centuries, so it was constantly improved and strengthened until the 17th century.

Pearls of France

This amazingly beautiful area is located near the Spanish border, in the province of Languedoc-Roussillon. Since January 2016, it has become part of the Occitania region (the main city of Montpellier). The French cities of Collioure and Perpignan are called the pearls of the French Purple (or Scarlet) Coast. They are rightly recognized as the most picturesque towns in the south of France.

Despite their small size, these cities contain a huge number of attractions. According to many who have visited both settlements, Perpignan is more captivating with its historical attractions, while Collioure is more modern and brilliant.

General information about Collioure

The entire town is a landmark of France. It is located on the Mediterranean coast of Vermilion. This amazingly picturesque city leaves no one indifferent.

The population is only about 3,000 inhabitants. But the city is very rich in cultural and historical attractions and events. Many famous artists have immortalized this fabulous town on their canvases.

The architecture of the town and its surroundings can be divided into religious and military buildings - castles, fortresses and forts. Lovers of culture and art can enjoy numerous small museums, salons and galleries. This small town's artistic reputation continues today. Here, in the old fishing quarter of Le More, there are more than 30 workshops and galleries. Many street artists, located on the city embankment, paint portraits of tourists.

Collioure (France) contains many attractions on its territory, some of which are briefly described in the article.

Main city event

Every year from 14 to 18 August, the medieval festival of St. Vincent is held in Collioure. The main event of this event is the procession to the sea, which takes place on August 16th. This holiday dates back to 1701.

These festive events took place annually until the law on the separation of church and state (1905), but since 2001 this procession has been revived in connection with the tercentenary of the holiday.

Royal Castle of Collioure

Many castles in France attract the attention of tourists all over the world, and this one is no exception. It was built in the 7th century on the seashore and was rebuilt several times during the 13th-17th centuries. Historians date its foundation to 672. At the beginning of the 13th century, Chateau Royal was thoroughly fortified and rebuilt by the famous Knights of the Templar Order. After them, the kings of Majorca also rebuilt it. But no matter who the Collioure castle passed to throughout its history, it always performed defensive functions.

It should be noted that when purchasing a ticket to visit the castle, you will be given a diagram of the building with brief information about it (including in Russian). There is even a special area for classical music concerts.

Eglise Church Notre-Dame-des-Anges

This building, erected in 1684-1691, can also be called a symbol of the town. The church is located in the sea harbor of Collioure.

Initially (late 17th century) it served as a lighthouse, but by order of Marshal of France Vauban, this function was abolished.

Chapel of Notre-Dame des Anges

On the coast near the Royal Castle itself is the main attraction of Collioure (France) - the chapel of the Notre-Dame des Anges church.

Today it has been given the role of a lighthouse located in the city’s bay.

Beach

You can swim in that small cove located near the chapel. The beach is practically unequipped and covered with small pebbles, but the water in this place is surprisingly clear, only a little colder than near the shore.

Diving enthusiasts, using masks, can admire the splendor of the underwater kingdom, where sea urchins live in large numbers, and a wide variety of beautiful fish swim.

Small and charming Collioure is located just 25 km from the Spanish border. This seaside resort is mainly in demand among the French and Catalans and is little known outside the country. Sometimes organized groups of tourists from the Costa Brava are brought here for an educational tour. But is it possible to understand in an hour or two what kind of place this is, appreciate the beauty of the architecture, nature and feel the atmosphere? Colure should be savored slowly and tastefully, basking in the soft rays of the sun, walking along the streets and green hills, and visiting cozy cafes.

The fate of Collioure is closely connected with the name of the famous Fauvist artist and sculptor Henri Matisse - it was thanks to him that Spanish and French painters began to visit the fishing village at the beginning of the 20th century in search of new ideas and inspiration. Pablo Picasso visited the town more than once, and Salvador Dali, who lived nearby in Figueres, was also a frequent guest.

How to get to Collioure

The closest airport to Collioure is located in Perpignan, where there are no direct flights from Russia. Air France offers flights from Moscow with a transfer in Paris, and with an independent change of airport. First we fly to Charles de Gaulle), then we go to Orly and from there we fly to Perpignan. The minimum travel time one way is 8 hours 35 minutes.

Between the two airports of the French capital there is a direct Air France shuttle bus and a commuter train RER B (office website of the French Railways (in English)) with a transfer at the Denfert-Rochereau metro station to OrlyBus. Travel time is from 1 to 1.5 hours.

From Perpignan railway station (where you can get from the airport by bus No. 7 or by taxi for about 55 EUR) to Collioure there is a direct train TER from the bus station located next to the railway station - buses No. 400, 404. Prices on the page indicated as of October 2018

From Paris to Collioure you can take a direct train (one flight per day, the rest with a transfer) from Gare de Lyon, which is reached from Charles de Gaulle airport by RER B with a transfer to RER D at Gare du Nord.

Search for air tickets to Paris (the nearest airport to Collioure)

Transport

There are only three city bus routes in Collioure, connecting the center with the outskirts. From the railway station you can take the TER commuter trains to neighboring Argeles-sur-Mer and Port-Vendres. Several taxi agencies offer their services. The price of a trip around the city is 10-15 EUR; a ride to Perpignan airport, located 30 km away, costs 55-70 EUR.

For tourists arriving by car, there are about 10 large paid parking lots and three free ones with 40-50 spaces. Bicycles can be rented in Argeles-sur-Mer (Velocacion, Argeles Velos agencies); in Collioure itself they rent ATVs, scooters and boats. Two-wheeled vehicles are allowed to travel on streets, highways, and national parks.

Colioure Hotels

Most hotels are located in the port and Old Town areas. The price of double accommodation in a two-star hotel or apartment is from 60 EUR, in a three-star hotel - from 72 EUR per day. Le Relais Des Trois Mas 4* is considered one of the best, where they offer rather modestly equipped and small-sized rooms (but with a terrace and a magnificent view of the sea). It has swimming pools, a restaurant with panoramic views and its own park area. Prices start from 172 EUR per night.

Budget travelers have nowhere to go for a walk, since there are no hostels in Collioure (the nearest is in neighboring Port-Vendres, 3 km away) and inexpensive hotels.

Beaches

The main beaches of Collioure: pebbly Boramar, located right under the walls of the royal castle, and St. Vincent next to the church of the same name, sandy Port Aval with a gentle entry into the sea, North, consisting of a mixture of pebbles and sand, as well as Butig, where a diving school operates.

All swimming areas are free, equipped with toilets and showers, and restaurants and parking lots are within walking distance. During the high season, the beaches are controlled by the rescue service. Rent of sunbeds and water attractions are available only in St. Vincent and Port Aval; in other places you need to come with your own “equipment” and look for entertainment on your own.

The beaches of Collioure are quite modest in size and are not designed for a large number of people. The length of the longest Boramara does not exceed 150 m.

Cuisine and restaurants

In the past, Collioure was a fishing village, so seafood dishes rule the roost here (seafood soups are especially good). Local restaurants are dominated by classic French and Catalan cuisine with a large number of cold appetizers, the usual Catalan lamb and the Creme Catalana dessert. The true “king for culinary specialists” is called the Colleur anchovy, which is considered almost the most delicious on the coasts of France and Spain. In every cafe, dishes from this fish are always included in the menu; in some establishments they prepare very tasty pizza with it.

The Languedoc-Roussillon region, which includes Collioure, is one of the most extensive wine-growing areas in France, where quality drinks are produced. A glass of locally made red, rose or white wine will be an excellent complement to meat and fish dishes.

The cost of a lunch menu in a restaurant is from 20 EUR per person, a full lunch or dinner is from 30-40 EUR with drinks, a snack in a pizzeria or a small burger cafe costs 10-15 EUR.

Attractions

Several exciting routes have been developed for tourists:

• “The Road of Fauvism”, laid through the places where A. Matisse and A. Derain created their masterpieces;
• Walk through the fishing quarter of Le Moure;
• "Tourist train" to Port-Vendres, passing through the vineyards and Fort St. Elmo (there is an audio guide in Russian);
• POINTS 2 VUE - 12 art installations along the bay of Anza de la Balleta.

Also worth visiting are the 7th century Royal Castle adjacent to Boramar Beach, the Museum of Contemporary Art on the street. Port-Vendres, Museum of Fauvism with paintings by A. Matisse on the street. Omi Pond and the ancient mill next to Fort St. Elmo, located on the top of a hill with beautiful views of the city and the sea.