| Page Views: 1,193 Last Visit to Collioure: April, 2008 | Collioure -Jewel of the Vermeille Coast by ranger49 - last update: Jun 27, 2009 |
Collioure - a Return visit. 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. |
| The trees now in their leafy spring dress. |
|  | The return trip April 2008 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. |
| | A new scene round every corner 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 |
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 Comments for ranger49 about Collioure | | | | |
foona Tue Nov 10, 2009 18:52 UTC
Thanks for leading me in the direction of Colloure. Very tempting. | JLBG Sat Oct 10, 2009 05:08 UTC
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. | HORSCHECK Mon Sep 21, 2009 21:00 UTC
Barbara, another fantastic page of yours. I was once in Languedoc-Roussillon, not too far from Perpignan on a beach holiday. | BruceDunning Fri Aug 7, 2009 21:32 UTC
It sounds like you both know how to come here and relax and just take in the beauty of the water and structures. Good job of presenting this coast town. |
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