Collioure, Mediterranean coastal commune in Pyrénées-Orientales, France
Collioure spreads along the Côte Vermeille and shows white houses, narrow streets, and a harbor framed by a medieval castle and church bell tower. The townscape consists of multi-storey buildings that stand close to the water and stretch toward the nearby hills.
The settlement was first mentioned in 673 as Castrum Caucoliberi and served under the Visigoths as a fortified base. After the Treaty of the Pyrenees in 1659 the territory passed to France and lost its military role at the border.
The name derives from the Latin Castrum Caucoliberi and marks a place now known for its connection to painting. Visitors see restaurants serving anchovies, wine tastings in cellars, and small galleries along the lanes.
Visitors can explore the Royal Castle, walk through the harbor area, and taste local anchovies. The vineyards of the Appellation Contrôlée Collioure lie in the hills above the town and offer tastings in the cellars.
The bell tower of Notre-Dame-des-Anges was built from a medieval lighthouse and stands directly in the water. This tower appears on numerous paintings by Henri Matisse and André Derain, who painted here in the early 20th century.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
