The Vermeille coast around Collioure, from Argelès to Cerbère, is full of treasures to discover! From picturesque villages to hiking, water sports and artists’ trails, the Vermeille coast has something for everyone, with its diversity and authentic charm! Hop on the €1 bus to discover the must-sees of this coastline. Our journey will include stops at:
- The coastal path from Argelès to Cerbère
- Le Racou
- Port Vendres
- The cove of Paulilles
- Banyuls sur mer
- The underwater trail
- Cerbère
From Collioure, discover the Vermeille coast without necessarily taking the car! 1€ bus, train, boat… from Argelès to Cerbère
Walking along the coastal path !
From Argelès to Cerbère, or even Cadaquès
The coastal path is a beautiful 32 km walk from Argelès-sur-Mer to Cerbère.
You’ll pass through Le Racou, Collioure, Port Vendres, Cap Béar, Paulilles and Cerbère…
You’ll discover beaches, coves, villages, heritage sites and a host of picturesque landscapes.
Swimming at Le Racou !
Argelès beach, a favourite with the locals
Le Racou is the beach for the locals! And with good reason, Le Racou is a great place to live, with a lively little district full of restaurants and bars where conviviality is the order of the day!
Barefoot, we walk past the colourful houses facing the sea, with trees all around and tasteful decorations that add to their charm! The particularly charming beach, hidden behind the little houses, is haven-on-earth for summer bathing! It is also the departure point for the coastal path that runs all the way to Cerbère.
Discover the other must-sees in Argelès-sur-Mer:
- Valmy Park
- Port Argelès
- The otwer of La Massane
- The seafront promenade
- Nature reserves
We’re visiting Port-Vendres !
The small Catalan fishing port
Stop off at Port Vendres to admire the boats and eat fresh fish in the sunshine in this warm Mediterranean Catalan fishing port! The Charles Rennie Mackintosh trail is also well worth a visit.
Discover the other must-sees in Port Vendres:
- The fish market
- The Charles Rennie Mackintosh Visitor’s Centre
- The hamlet of Cosprons
- Cap Béar
A stopover at Anse de Paulilles
The old dynamite factory
At the Paulilles site, we’re going back in time to 1870, when workers were employed at this former dynamite factory, with 32 buildings devoted to the plant.
Today, the site has been completely refurbished and is now a large park where you can enjoy a pleasant stroll, with a garden planted with trees and a museum displaying archives of photos taken at the time.
It’s also a place of remembrance, since there is also a Catalan boat workshop there, to keep the tradition alive. Tours can be arranged on request. You’ll find it just before you reach the beach.
The last stop on our journey is Paulilles, where we enjoy the beautiful beach, swimming and relaxing in the sun! The Paulilles site is classified Natura 2000.
A walk in Banyuls-sur-Mer !
In the footsteps of Aristide Maillol
Following in Aristide’s footsteps, we tried out the “Artistide Maillol trail”, a free walking tour that took us around the town, with explanations and hidden little places we might not otherwise have come across!
The Biodiversarium, the aquarium in Banyuls, is a must-see if you want to find out more about the marine world of the Mediterranean.
You can then take a relaxing break by combining your visit to the Biodiversarium with a ticket to visit the Mas de la Serra Mediterranean garden. It’s a little botanical paradise to explore, with species that are local or native to regions with a Mediterranean climate. The combined ticket for the 2 sites can be purchased in advance at the Biodiversarium or the Botanical Garden.
Other must-sees in Banyuls-sur-Mer:
- The “Vendanges en fêtes” event
- Wine tastings and winegrowers’ aperitifs
- The coastal path
Discover the underwater trail
From Peyrefite beach
Departing from Peyrefite beach, equipped with our flippers, masks and snorkels, we explore the seabed of the Cerbère Banyuls marine nature reserve. The magic of aquatic flora and fauna is yours to discover!
You’ll need to be in good shape to tackle this 500-metre round trip aquatic hike, with 5 observation stations along the way!
Make sure the sea is not too rough or overcrowded.
Explore the atypical town of Cerbère !
With its street art tunnel and Belvedère
Cerbère at the tip of the Vermeilles coast is a surprising place!
As you walk through the centre of the village, you’ll discover an artistic treasure trove, the Cerbère Street Art Tunnel. It’s an expression of pure creativity, and we love it!
The Belvedère du Rayon Vert, a reinforced concrete structure in the shape of an ocean liner, surprised us as we passed by! It’s an impressive and unusual building designed by architect from Perpignan, Louis Braille! A timeless place open to visitors.
Other must-sees in Cerbère:
- The international train station
- The transbordeuses
- The Cerbère Banyuls marine reserve
- The coastal path
- The Retirada trails
Key information before coming to Collioure
What to see and do in the department
Discover the must-sees of the Pyrénées Orientales department here
Click here for a tourist map of the department
ATV organises excursions to visit the department or Spain. Find out more
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.
Can I download the Collioure brochures?
Find all our brochures here
Can I download a map of Collioure?
Find the map of Collioure here
Is there a cultural application for Collioure?
For more information on the Collioure application, click here
