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Collioure Travel Guide: 83 reviews and 252 photos
Our first visit to Collioure was everything we had wanted from a winter holiday. Warm sunshine, relatively few tourists (not so good for the restaurant owners who were very quiet particularly in the evenings!).
We rented a tiny house in one of the cobbled streets . It was such a treat to walk out to do all our shopping in the village in real shops - two whole weeks without entering a supermarket. The twice weekly market Sunday and Wednesday morning) was excellent and the restaurants were all within a few minutes walk.
It was the most relaxing holiday we had had in years and we knew we wanted to go back - but would avoid high season when I suspect Collioure assumes a different identity.
We made a return visit in April 2008 after a very early (March 23) Easter Holiday.
Our original idea had been to arrive by train rather than to repeat a Bristol - Toulouse flight, and then hire a car.
Instead we made an extended trip and travelled with our car by ferry from Plymouth to Santander, and then drove across the border into France and across the foothills of the Pyrenees to Collioure - the travelling was another series of destinations and all part of the trip.
Our love for Collioure has not diminished.
It was busier, the weather was not as settled or as warm as it had been a month earlier last year, but more restaurants were open and we had an extra hour or more of daylight in which to enjoy seeking out new things to do and enjoy.
It is not surprising that this little bit of French coast has been such a magnet to painters. There are just so many pictures to be seen wherever you look.
"Going back" is something we do less and less as we get older but Collioure so captured our hearts that on this return visit we felt as excited as children returning to a favourite seaside holiday destination.
Nearby places to visit from Collioure -
Ceret, a mediaeval walled town with a world famous Museum of Modern Art.
Ceret
Port Vendes - a busy working port, with fishing boats and a fish market, pleasure marina, and beaches. For self caterers - a big SuperU supermarket.
Port Vendres
Banyuls sur Mer, the last French resort before the Spanish border with a wide sea front and picturesque village on the hillside.
Banyuls
For longer days out - Perpignan and Girona are doable
- Pros:A jewel of a place waiting to be discovered
- Cons:Am told it gets overcrowded in summer season
- In a nutshell:Natural beauty, history, art & literature combine in perfect harmony.
Reviews (17)
Views from the steep lanes above town
Things to Do
(7)
A walk around the quiet lanes above the town, a little way from the alleyways with shops and artist's galleries, makes a... more travel advice
Bread and Cakes
Shopping
(2)
We did not come across one of those patisseries that I avoid walking past because just looking in the window can put on... more travel advice
Pieds dans La mer
Restaurants
(4)
This restaurant was highly recommended by previous tenants of our holiday cottage. It has a superb location and was a... more travel advice
Antonio Machado - Part 2
Things to Do
(7)
A ceramic plaque bearing the words of the final verse of one of Machado's poems rests on his grave. The same verse can... more travel advice
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Comments (26)
Nice stuff, thanks for sharing. Cheers, Ian
Whilst in Ceret, I popped in here for a beer or two last week. Some nice pics Barbara that reflect the reality of the town. Well done.
I had just heard this was a nice place to visit. And your report bears that out.
Love Collioure! Didn't know of Girona til recently -- I'd make that day trip for sure! I'm reading Picture This by Joseph Heller, what a good writer! (but got it in French at library, must get original :))
We visited this place with our children more than 25 years ago in July when it was rather crowded. I'm glad it has kept its charm.
Barbara, Terrific Collioure Tips. I've written down a few things for our upcoming trip. You brought back many memories.
brought back some lovely memories. thanks;-)
We have had the no-smoking law for a long time now, and it makes it more pleasant everywhere. Its a pity that they didn't abide by it, people tell others, and business will probably be lost.
Thanks for leading me in the direction of Colloure. Very tempting.
We are just back from a week in Languedoc Roussillon but did not go that far west. Next time! I know that Collioure is a must and thank you for this virtual visit! On the whole, smoking ban works well, better than in the very beginning.