Collioure, just a few kilometres from the Spanish border, quickly became one of my favourite places to escape to. Situated on the Mediterranean coast of southern France, this charming little village stole my heart. It’s centred around a quaint port, with narrow, winding cobblestone streets that make it feel like a hidden gem.
While it might not be as well-known as its neighbour, Banyuls-sur-Mer, Collioure’s laid-back seaside vibe and picturesque coastal beauty instantly drew me in. It has all the charm you’d expect from a peaceful, idyllic village by the sea—everything I was looking for in a perfect getaway.
Getting Lost in the Village’s Picturesque Alleys
During our summer vacation in the French Pyrenees, our family spent an unforgettable day in the charming village of Collioure. Despite the extreme heat—40°C—it was an experience we’ll always remember. We parked our car on the outskirts and hopped on the free shuttle bus to the village centre.
Before we even reached the beach, we found ourselves lost in the maze of picturesque alleys. The narrow streets were lined with tempting local shops, and we couldn’t resist popping into one after another. We left with a French hat, some beautiful pictures, and a few delicious sweets—souvenirs that perfectly captured the spirit of Collioure.
The village itself was full of surprises, with staircases leading from one narrow street to the next. At times, we stumbled upon quiet corners where no shops were in sight, offering a peaceful respite in the midst of the afternoon heat. These moments of calm only added to the village’s charm, making it an ideal spot to unwind and take in the beauty of the surroundings.


Dining by the Beach in Collioure: Fresh Seafood and Stunning Views
Most of the eateries in Collioure are situated near the beach, and their settings are simply irresistible. We chose to dine at Le Copacabana, where the terrace is right next to the beach, offering a stunning view of the Royal Castle on one side and the Lighthouse on the other. Every table faces the sea, creating the perfect atmosphere to enjoy a meal.
As Collioure is a fishing port, it’s an ideal place to indulge in fresh fish, grilled shellfish such as calamari, king prawns, oysters, or seafood platters. We started with a seafood salad, which included scampi, raw tuna slices, and other delicious sea treasures. The portion was almost as large as a main course!
The tuna is typically caught in the Mediterranean and distributed from Port Vendres. Our seafood starter cost only 15 euros, and the main courses also focused on seafood. The waiter, who appeared to be a university student, spoke very good English and was incredibly attentive. We didn’t order any drinks, but he generously brought us free ice-cold table water.
Despite its prime location, the food quality and value for money at Le Copacabana were excellent.
It’s also worth mentioning a local Catalan speciality: anchovies made in the traditional, artisan style. You can even join a tour to learn how these anchovies are prepared, with the chance to taste them freshly made. For updated information, visit the local tourist information centre.
The Lighthouse Church
On the left side of Le Copacabana restaurant stands a lighthouse, which has been converted into the Church of Notre-Dame-des-Anges (The Church of Our Lady of the Angels). The interior of the church is both rich and exceptional, with the highlight being the magnificent high altar, designed by Catalan artist Joseph Sunyer. The altar is intricately carved from wood and covered in sheet gold, making it a striking feature of the church.
The bell tower, which originally served as a beacon, later became a prison. In 1693, it was connected to the church, where it has since stood as part of the church’s structure.


The Royal Castle and the old mill
Royal castle
To the right of Le Copacabana restaurant stands the Royal Castle, once a summer residence for the Aragon Kings, who founded the Kingdom of Majorca in the 12th century. At that time, Collioure was part of the Majorca Kingdom. Later, the Spanish Hapsburgs strengthened and reinforced the castle before it passed into French hands in 1642.
The castle is full of tunnels and underground passages, making it a great spot to explore, especially when the outside temperature reaches 41°C.
Old Mill
Built in the 14th century, this mill is one of the oldest in Roussillon. Today, it operates as an oil mill. The mill is just a 20-minute walk from the Royal Castle and offers stunning views of the surrounding scenery. It’s also conveniently close to the Modern Art Museum.
Unfortunately, due to a broken leg before our trip, we weren’t able to visit either the castle or the old mill. It was a disappointment, but we’re sure we’ll get the chance to return and explore them in the future!
La Chapelle Saint-Vincent (Chapel of St. Vincent)
From Notre-Dame-des-Anges, a narrow boardwalk leads towards the seaside, guiding you to La Chapelle Saint-Vincent. This chapel, built in 1701, was originally constructed to shelter St Vincent’s relics. From there, I enjoyed stunning views over the beach, the bay, and the charming village of Collioure. It was a peaceful and picturesque spot, offering a beautiful perspective of the area.


The Fauvism trail
In 1905, Matisse and Derain sparked the artistic movement of Fauvism during their stay in Collioure. Fauvism is characterised by bold, emotional expression and vibrant colours, celebrating freedom and creativity. The Fauvism trail is completely free to explore, with reproductions of their works displayed throughout the streets. You can also join a guided tour organised by the local tourism office to dive deeper into the movement’s history. For more details, visit here.
Romance and Legacy: Patrick O’Brian’s Connection to Collioure
The historical novelist Patrick O’Brian lived in Collioure from 1949 until his death in 2000, and it became his adopted home. His novel The Catalans, set in this beautiful corner of France, tells the story of Alain Roig, who returns to Saint-Féliu after years in the East, only to find his family in turmoil. His cousin Xavier, the mayor and most powerful man in the town, has fallen in love with Madeleine, the daughter of the local grocer, and plans to marry her. This union threatens the Roig family’s property, and Madeleine’s relatives oppose the marriage for their own reasons.
The novel offers a vivid portrayal of life in Collioure before it became a popular tourist destination. Today, Patrick O’Brian and his wife, Mary, rest in Collioure’s cemetery, leaving a lasting legacy in this romantic town.



A Wine Tradition in Collioure: A Special Memory
Collioure is a tiny appellation within the Roussillon region, encompassing four communes: Collioure, Cerbère, Port-Vendres, and Banyuls-sur-Mer. The red Collioure wine is known for its rich, ripe fruit aromas with a hint of spice. Many wines in France are produced in limited quantities and are only sold locally, and Collioure wine is one of those rare finds. It’s not something you’re likely to encounter in Germany.
Outdoor Adventures, Evening Charm, and Local Markets in Collioure
Collioure offers a range of outdoor activities, from coastal walks to short hikes with stunning panoramic views over the bay, such as the route to the Hermitage of Consolation or the Sainte-Elme Fort. The evenings are filled with a unique atmosphere, where you can enjoy a peaceful beach walk or dinner accompanied by the laughter and chatter of nearby diners. On market days, the Place du Maréchal Leclerc hosts a traditional market, while the Port d’Avall offers night markets with local specialties, sun-ripened fruits, and handmade items from local producers.
Travel tips for Collioure
The UK website provides detailed information on how to get to Collioure. You can reach it by plane, bus, or train.
The easiest way to get there is by car, though parking can be tricky during the summer holiday season. You’ll likely need to park a few kilometres away from the village. The good news is that there’s a free shuttle bus service from each parking area to the town centre.



Incredible pictures. I love these small villages around Europe. I havent heard of Collioure before but looks likes a must visit destination. Id love to enjoy some fresh seafood beside the water. 🙂
Collioure sounds absolutely lovely with the wine options and hikes along the coast. The Chapel of St. Vincent looks like something straight out of Robin Hood. Such quaint and gorgeous architecture and landscapes.
41°C is really hot, even for someone comes from Vietnam like me! But it seems like you had a great weather to explore this village. I love the pink shades of the houses here. They look so lovely. I’d love to try the Collioure wine and join the Fauvism trail tour.
I’ve never heard of Collioure but it sounds like it’s an interesting blend of both French and Spanish culture. I love that photo of the tables lined up on the beach right beside the water. That photo transported me right there and I wish i was sitting there with an Aperol Spritz in my hand right now!
What a gorgeous looking place, Collioure looks. I’ve driven through that region several times but it appears I’ve missed this. I love exploring places and losing myself in the narrow streets and well, you totally had me at seafood 🙂
I love cities that sit on the waters edge, bonus when there are mountains to add to the scenery. The narrow alleyways full of flowers would be fun the wander and of course sampling the wine would be mandatory.
It doesn’t get much more charming than a fishing town with the freshest seafood and plenty of places to eat by the water! Plus, Collioure is especially appealing to me as an art-lover. I would love to explore the Fauvism trail to see what some of my favorite artists might have seen with their own eyes. I hope someday to make this journey–but in the meantime, your article captured its essence!
Collioure is really a beautiful coastal town near Spanish border. As it is near to Spain, it has influence of Spain too. I love flower laden streets and therefore strolling at Rue Bellevue looks would be my way to explore Collioure. Even the shops are really charming selling all those ethnic handicrafts.
what a nice and clean place they have there, wish i could also visit a place like that. your photos are beautiful and you’ve captured so much of the beauty of the weather on your shoot.
Those winding alleyways look absolutely enchanting. I never really focus my travels on Europe but photos like these make me want to start to change my mind.. I only wish you had even more photos in this post!
Hi Megan,
I have more photos from my Instagram account. Here is the link of those photos on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/sharefrenchpyreneepics/
Or, you can click the Instagram button bellow the “Follow Me”. Thanks!
It looks like you had lovely weather and there is plenty to do here. Although it’s France, as you say it’s very close to Spain and the photos really do look like you were in Spain! I’d love to visit.
This place is beautiful. Everything still looks authentic and it’s like you’re in the Caribbean with a French twist added to it. This place is definitely on my list now. When would be the best time to go there?
Depend on what you like to there. If you want to swim then summer is the best time. But it is also not so cold in winter, if you just want to tour around and enjoy the seafood, a winter trip is also possible.
Gosh don’t you just love these little villages around France and Spain?! Thanks for sharing, it looks so dreamy!
I have not had the chance to visit Europe yet. This small village looks amazing. The alley ways, bell tower, castle and church would be wonderful subjects to photograph… in addition to the beach 🙂
We have been looking at a possible future trip to the Mediterranean. This town looks lovely!
What beautiful photos!
I looove Catalan areas, although I have only really visited them on the Spanish side of the boarder. It’s funny how similar these villages are (I guess they are more Catalan than French or Spanish!?)
Anyway, this looks like a gooorgeous place to explore, and I would be sooo up for eating tasty (and cheap!) seafood!
Hi Josy,
Yes, there are more Catalans actually. The food is in Catalan cuisine. But the French wines are super!
Regsards,
Mijia
What a beautiful village. I can’t believe it was 41°C. That is very hot! I definitely would jump int he water after walking around the village 🙂
Thank you for this super complete guide on this special area! It sounds like an amazing place to escape to the countryside in France.
I have never heard of this place great post!
Definitely on my list of places to see now. Just got back from France and fell in LOVE with the countryside.
It reminds me Costa Brava villages, nice post!