Arriving in Collioure, you’re struck by this monument right in the heart of the village, plunged into the Mediterranean, between the chapel of Saint Vincent, the Boramar beach and the Château Royal ! You’ll be amazed by the historic heritage right in front of you.
Immersed in the Mediterranean Sea, this church is a true historic puzzle. The clock tower built in the Middle Ages served as a beacon for the port of Collioure. The church was built in 1684 and was connected to the clock tower.
Did you know that its bell tower was built on the base of a lighthouse? What other features make it an iconic church?
- A bell tower with a picturesque history
- An emblematic and atypical monument
- The altarpiece in the church
- A church undergoing restoration that’s still evolving!
Let’s take a closer look at the church, a bell tower steeped in history that has become the symbol of the town!
The church of Notre Dame des Anges, an emblematic monument that has evolved through the ages!
An Instagrammable monument ❤️
The church’s architectural features and prime location make it one of the most photographed churches in France!
A bell tower with a picturesque history
It wasn’t always located where it is today !
- Originally, the town’s first church, named Sainte-Marie and first mentioned in 1023, stood on the site of the original town, within the walls of the Château Royal.
- During Vauban’s reorganisation of the town, the church was demolished in 1672 to make way for the Glacis. Louis XIV, wishing to conciliate the population, donated the land necessary for the construction of a new church, which is now located on the rocky promontory behind the lighthouse.
Incidentally, the new church was built using the old banal tower, which used to announce the position of the port of Collioure by smoke during the day and fire at night, as a bell tower.
- The first stone was laid on 18 July 1684, and the work continued until 1690!
- On October 6th 1698, Joseph Sunyer began work on the altarpiece for the high altar in the church of Notre Dame des Anges.
- Inside, 8 chapels and 1 high altar, covered in gold leaf, adorn the church. In 1810, the dome was added to the bell tower, giving it its definitive appearance.
A church in the sea, built on the base of a lighthouse !
Have you ever heard of a church immersed in water?
With its feet in the sea, the church of Notre Dame des Anges is an exceptional construction! Another special feature is that when you enter the church, you find yourself below sea level !
Notre Dame des Anges was built on a rock at the end of which was a lighthouse. It’s easy to understand why its architecture is so unusual.
A building marked by several changes
It began as a lighthouse, a defence tower, a lighthouse, a prison, a bell tower, then the bell tower was added and finally the dome in 1810. It’s easy to spot the different eras by looking at the materials it’s made of.
To sum up :
- XIII : shiste : Harbour lighthouse and medieval watchtower
- XIV-XV : Galets Prison espagnole
- XVII: Bell tower in 1693 under Louis XIV XIX: 1810 Tuscan-style dome under Napoleon 1st
The church, a symbol and a sacred building
Located right next to Boramar beach, Notre Dame des Anges (Our Lady of the Angels) is one of the most iconic symbols of Collioure.
The symbol of Collioure !
The structure’s unusual appearance can be attributed to its multi-stage development: it was originally a lighthouse, then the bell tower was added, before being topped with a dome in 1810.
Its architecture represents a return to the features of Southern Gothic architecture.
A bit of history…
The subject of many paintings !
Henri Matisse, André Derain, Raoul Dufy, Maurice de Vlaminck, Georges Braque… found their inspiration in Collioure and took as their subject the Collioure bell tower, the symbol of Collioure!
The “Treasure of Collioure” is inside
Its Catalan Baroque high altar, covered in gold leaf, and the altarpieces that surround it, make it a remarkable site.
Discover this religious jewel !
Visit inside the church
You enter through the door located below the Republican motto, which is actually quite intriguing.
What’s a Republican motto doing on the pediment of a church?
Explanations will be given at the Tourist Office or during a guided tour organised by “Vitrine sur le Fauvisme”.
Insert 1euro to see the altarpiece in greater detail.
Quel trésor se dévoile sous nos yeux, un retable d’une beauté remaWhat a treasure is revealed before our eyes, an altarpiece of remarkable beauty !
Its interior architecture is exceptional, particularly the altarpiece by the Catalan artist Joseph Sunyer, carved in wood and covered in gold leaf.
A church undergoing restoration, still evolving
A facelift for the church of Notre Dame des Anges !
Worn out by sea water, the bell tower and the church of Notre-Dame-des-Anges in Collioure were in need of restoration. 4 stages of work were carried out, with completion estimated for 2025. Today, the church hosts numerous concerts.
A magical concert venue !
From Daniel Tosi’s orchestra to the piano festival and the Pablo Casals festival, the church of Notre Dame des Anges is the setting for a whole host of concerts !
Attending a concert in the church is an experience not to be missed, to enjoy the acoustics and the magic of the place !
Key information before coming to Collioure
Opening hours of the Church
The church is currently closed and only open for mass on Wednesday and Sunday mornings.
Frequently asked questions
What are the church opening times?
The church is currently closed for restoration.
Normal opening times are as follows:
- Low season . 9.15am – 4.30pm.
- Season 9.15am – 6pm.
What are the mass times at Collioure church?
Click here for the Mass timetable
How to get to Collioure ?
Here you’ll find all the information you need to get to Collioure and around Collioure
What’s the weather like in Collioure ?
Click here to see the weather forecast for Collioure
What are the market days in Collioure?
The Collioure market takes place on Wednesday mornings and Sunday mornings at the Place du Maréchal Leclerc. Find out more about the markets
Is there a page with all the frequently asked questions?
Click here for a list of frequently asked questions.
What are the service times at the Protestant church ?
Sunday morning service at 9am.
Can I download the Collioure brochures?
Find all our brochures here
