A charming coastal town, famous as the birthplace of Fauvism, Collioure has long dazzled artists as well as visitors eager to soak up the sunshine and the history of this little slice of the Mediterranean. With a dramatic mountainous backdrop, azure seas and a striking Vermillion Coast setting — just 25km from the Spanish border — it’s a beautiful destination for couples, friends and families. Choose from intimate guesthouses, heritage townhouses and luxurious seaside hotels, suited to a wide array of tastes and budgets. Our list of the best places to stay in Collioure includes family-run gems, some of which have become landmarks in their own right.
Favoured by the likes of Matisse and Derain, Collioure has a strong creative legacy. Delve into this past at the Modern Art Museum, or see today’s artists at work behind the Place du 18-Juin and in the galleries of the old Le Mouré neighborhood. Heritage highlights include the medieval seaside Château Royale, the Fort Saint Elme, the 17th-century Notre-Dame-des-Anges Church — with a bell tower which was once a lighthouse — and the almost 700-year-old Moulin de Collioure.
Get out on the water for sailing, kayaking, kite surfing, wind surfing and fishing trips, or hike the Sentier du Littoral for splendid coastal views. The surrounding hillsides are home to world-class vineyards, yielding wine best paired with the region’s sensational seafood. Tuck in to delectable fare at the town’s many little eateries, or at the Michelin-starred La Balette, part of one of the best places to stay in Collioure.
