Collioure

2 March 2007

A one and a half hour walk along the coastal trail from Argelès-sur-Mer, is the “Jewel of the Vermillion Coast”, Collioure.

Historically controlled by various kingdoms, this small village retains the charm of many Catalan traditions. Nestled in a little bay its beauty has often inspired painters such as Picasso, Duffy and Matisse. You can follow a trail through the village to the sites of some of the paintings by these artists.

Collioure has a rich and varied history. It was the port of the powerful inland town of Elne and as such an important trading center on the Mediterranean. In its early years it was influenced successively by its various “visitors” – Phoenicians, Greeks, Visigoths, Arabs, Franks and others. Once part of Aragon (Spain), then of Majorca its castle housed the Kings of Majorca becoming a fortress in the 15th century.

In 1642 while the Catalans revolted against the Castilians French troops took over the village and fortress. Ultimatley in 1793 Collioure was permanently annexed to France.

Its church, Nôtre-Dame-des-Anges, was begun in 1684 has a bell tower with a pink dome.