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Collioure village

Quai de l'Amirauté, Collioure,

Description

Collioure is a seaside village near the Spanish border in the Pyrénées-Orientales. Historically part of the Roussillon province (until it became part of the French kingdom in 1659), it is now a very popular sightseeing spot thanks to its picturesque bay crowned by the 17th-century Église Notre-Dame-des-Anges surrounded by the sea on 3 sides and the Royal Castle of Collioure that was built in its current form next to the harbour under the Kings of Majorca (mid-13th century). Other highlights include a windmill, the fort Saint-Elme built atop the same hill, the local modern art museum, and the old neighbourhood of sailors and fishermen (Le Mouré) with its traditional streets and houses. The local culinary specialty is anchovies.

Access & Transport

The village is located 30km southeast of Perpignan and only 20km from the border with Spain. There is a train station on a regional line between Perpignan/Narbonne and Cerbère/Port Bou.

Instructions & Recommendations

Parking in the centre of the village is very challenging in the summer but there are large lots a little bit outside. The Royal Castle can be visited (7€ for adults and free for <18), opening hours are 10h-17h from Nov to March (with seasonal closure the second half of Jan) and 10-18h from April to Oct with guided visits at 10h30 and 14h30. Link: https://www.ledepartement66.fr/dossier/le-chateau-royal-de-collioure/

Meta review

Quite a famous seaside village in Roussillon, it regularly features in travel blogs and magazines. Online reviews very much enjoy the "narrow streets lined with flowerbeds and brightly coloured houses" of the Mouré neighbourhood but it is also very touristy in the summer. As for the royal castle, there isn't that much to see inside but guided visits do make the tour more interesting; nonetheless, the real draw is the views over the harbour. Finally, the Église Notre-Dame-des-Anges gets mixed reviews as well: there is a nice altar inside but it is poorly lit.

Environmental & Social

Tourism doesn't add incremental carbon footprint other than the drive to get there so we deem this attraction environmentally neutral. Good for the local economy but also over-commercialized, which negatively impacts the social fabric & behaviours

Conclusion

Collioure is worth a stop and even a small detour but it is also overrated nowadays and not at its most enjoyable between mid-July and late August. Go in the shoulder season if you can and remember there are other interesting villages in the area as well.

Key positive

Very picturesque bay & monuments

A few charming streets

Key negative

Very busy in the summer (and difficult to park)

Suitability

No restrictions

About this Rating

TYPE

Desktop

RESEARCHED IN

March 2024

PROVIDER

Koreval

Included Items
None
Timing
Duration of visit

av. transport time:0h 40m

est. visit time:2h 30m

Sunlight based

Sunrise / early morningOk

MorningOk

Lunch timeOk

AfternoonOk

Sunset / eveningOk

Night – bef. midnightNo

Night – aft. midnightNo

Pricing
Free

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