Collioure originated as a small anchovy fishing village. Situated on the coast of Vermeille, Collioure became the port city for Perpignan throughout the middle ages. Subject to possible invasion by French Kings and Popes, measures were taken to defend Collioure. Famous for its fortified church and the Royal Chateau which both dominate the harbour, modern Collioure has many traffic circles around the town which probably orginated as a defense throughout the mediaeval period. Today, Collioure has just 2,750 inhabitants preserving the feel of an ancient fishing village.


  


There is much to see and do in the Collioure area including:

• Beaches: Collioure has four small beaches, with miles of sandy beaches at nearby Argeles Plage.

• Walking: as much or as little as you wish in the nearby foothills of the Pyrenees and the Alberes hills. Local walking guide books are available. At least visit the recently restored windmill on the way to the Forts, or the Tour Madeloc to enjoy splendid views of French and Spanish Catalonia.

• Wine tours: signposted routes to local Chateaux producing AOC Collioure and Banyuls wines or simply visit the excellent local “caves”.

• Art: The guided tour of “les chemins du fauvisme” looking back on the works of Matisse and Derain when they resided in Collioure is a must. The Museum of Modern Art offers seasonal exhibitions of local artists. Whilst in nearby Ceret the Museum of Modern Art has works by many artists including Picasso, Dali and Chagall. The Dali museum over the border in Spain in Figueras is definitely worth a visit.

• History: everywhere! Including the Chateau Royal of Collioure, and the Castle of the Kings of Majorca in Perpignan…

• Markets: Fresh produce and local crafts on Sunday and Wednesday in Collioure, Saturday in nearby Ceret and daily except Monday in Perpignan. “la Criee”, the fish market is not to be missed in Port Vendres for locally caught fish and shellfish (open daily).

• Restaurants: Wide variety locally. Some at gourmet level and listed in “le Bottin Gourmand” such as the Cote Vermeille in Port Vendres or “ le Neptune” in Collioure. Recommendations in our guest book at the apartment.




Collioure is a town for artists past and present.

In 1905, Matisse arrived at this small Catalan port. Throughout the summer, Matisse and fellow artist Derain painted in Collioure, ignoring the artisitic rules governing use of colour to capture the vivid colours of Collioure landscape and sky. This gave birth to a new style of painting, Fauvisme and other famous artists, Bracque, Duffy, Marquet and Picasso came to Collioure to paint.

"In paying hommage to this period, the mayor of Collioure created what is named "Chemin du Fauvisme" (Road to Fauvisme) : twenty paintings of Matisse and Derain are displayed along roads in the village; at the exact locations where the painters executed their works"

Despite the demise of Fauvisme, modern day Collioure attracts artists worldwide wishing to capture the vivid colours seen in this area.