|
|
 |
 |
Argeles |
 |
| |
It is a village on the Vermeille coast, known for its fir and oak trees; in low season it is favourable for quiet walks, but it changes during the summer season because of the animated nocturnal atmosphere and the countless camping sites.
Argeles is the last spa before reaching the rocky coast.
|
|
 |
|
|
Banyuls sur Mer |
|
| |
Here, the economy rests on its vineyards. Coastal city known its sweet wine and vineyards set upon the mountain side.
One can visit the aquarium which holds almost 250 different species, representative for the Mediterranean.
THE MARIN RESERVATION IN CERBERE-BANYULS
Abutting to Spain and the first French Marin reservation, it covers 650 ha. It is a cultural, educational, fauna and flora preservation instrument of this magnificent rocky coast. It represents a starting point for countless trips and nautical activities. Boat rides and beacon courses allow you to discover the underwater life found on the rocky coast’s bottom with a mask and a tube.
|
|
|
|
|
Barcares |
|
| |
Spreading after ‘Leucate’, Barcares, with its wide beaches and small fir-tree forest is very well known for its relaxing vacations. Close by, a circus is installed for the children.
THE BARCARES POND
It is a salt-water pond separated from the sea by a sand bank and which is supplied by small streams that run close-by. It is a place where the fauna and flora are protected. There are fir-tree parks, and in the background the wind driven installations in the Salses park which are right in front of Canigou. The windy area and the shallow and almost 4 km long pond represent the joy of athletes who practise sailing and kite-surfing. It attracts a lot of enthusiasts, who travel long distances to get here.
|
|
|
|
|
Canet en Roussillon |
|
| |
It is a spa animated by the Oriental Pyrenees, with very wide beaches and golden sand. It is the closest spa to Perpignan.
THE CANET SAINT POND – NAZAIRE
It is a lagoon and a natural spot, characterised by having more than 200 species of birds, with a preserved fauna and flora. It is a colourful place, with its reconstruction of a traditional fishermen village. Educational visits are also being organised. In front of the beaches which stretch between the Canet spas in Roussillon and the Saint-Cyprien spas, is the ideal spot for family walks. Athlets can enjoy a healthy camping trip.
|
|
|
|
|
Collioure |
|
| |
It was the cradle of Fauvism, with great artists such as Matisse and Derain; its beauty and light have been the joy of many artists, painters, writers, and photographers.
Located between the rocky coast and extraordinary dells with terraced vineyards, Collioure is also known since the Middle Ages for its anchovy.
The harbour was already active in the Antiquity, a beginning point for trade and prosperous commerce, especially with the Majorcan and Aragon kings, who restored the castle and made it their summer residence.
The ‘Notre-Dame-des-Anges’ meridian gothic style church dates from the 17th century, and was rebuilt by Vauban and a beautiful bell was attached; only in 1810 will the dome have been added to the bell tower in order to give it the final look; the church has an exceptional richness and interior architecture; because of its strategic position, Vauban re-enforced its fortifications.
This jewel village of the Vermeille Coast is today a wonder of aestheticism with its small bay, pied boats, mazy streets, military fort and the little flour-mill built high up.
|
|
|
|
|
Paulilles |
|
| |
Two up to three km away, in the direction of Banyuls-sur-Mer, it makes a turn.
A starting point for a small path situated between ‘Cap Bear’ and ‘Paulilles’, this path offers a wonderful walk along the rocky coast with a panoramic view towards the Mediterranean Sea’s waves, which dash on the foot of the cliff in a reel of foam.
Scattered across are the terraced vineyards, cork oaks, agaves and barbaric symbols, after which the path opens to a beautiful lighthouse located 80 m high.
|
|
|
|
|
Port Vendres |
|
| |
It is a small harbour set between the small bay and a row of hills, which was founded by the Phoenicians and was an important commercial harbour across history. Louis the 16th fortified it in order to strengthen the trade with the whole of Europe; in the royal square which dominates the harbour one can clearly see a 29 m tall obelisk in all its glory. Its current Roman-Gothic church dates from the 19th century, as does ‘Hotel Pams’ which houses the City Hall.
Another very active port is the first fishing port in the Oriental Pyrenees, where one can buy fresh fish from the local market.
The watch tower in ‘Madeloc’ over Port-Vendres is a beautiful invitation to go walking.
|
|
|
|
|
Toreilles |
|
| |
The surveillanced beaches of Toreilles and Sainte Marie continue to exist, and are separated into 3 areas: the normal beach, the nudist beach and the gay beach.
Behind them there is the ‘Ribere Natural Reserve’ which has 51 lagoons, swamps, and a preserved fauna and flora.
|
|
|
|
|
Saint Cyprien |
|
| |
Animated spa, in the Oriental Pyrenees, visited also because of its golf course set up on 200 ha in the middle of a bird reserve. When entering the Saint-Cyprien village, it is not rare to cross windsurfers, who come here because of the good tail wind.
|
|
|
|
|
Sainte Marie |
|
| |
Spreading after the ‘Toreilles’ beaches is the Sainte Marie beach. This quiet spa is mostly destined for family vacations and relaxation.
The beach is located between two arms of the river Agly.
|
|
|
|
|
Port Bou |
|
| |
It is the last French spa of the rocky coast from the Spanish boarder.
|
|
|
|
