If you happen to go through “Les Pyrénées Orientales” take the time to visit Collioure, jewel of the “Côte Vermeille” rocked by the Mediterranean Sea. Originally called “Caucolibéri” dominated by the impressive “Château Royal” (XIII-XVIII) will charm you with its colours, its light, its gastronomy, and its historical monuments.

Early last century Henri Matisse and André Derain worked together and immortalised in their paintings this small Catalan port. Follow their steps on the path of the fauvism and admire the reproductions of the two artists. Dali, Picasso, Vincent Van Gogh and many others also fell under the magic of Collioure just like Antonio Machado, famous Spanish poet who now rests in the old cemetery and whose memory is honoured every year during the month of February. 

 The church “Notre Dame des Anges” of Southern Gothic Style was built in 1684 following the destruction of the old church of “Sainte Marie “ after Vauban (Marshal of France) had ordered its destruction in 1672. The phallic dome of the bell tower, built in the Middle Age, was the ancient medieval lighthouse of the old port. “Notre Dame des Anges” shelters a very beautiful baroque altarpiece that was carved in wood and gilded with gold leaf by Catalan sculptor Joseph Sunyer (XVII). The Museum of Modern Art in Collioure founded in 1930 by. Jean Peské is located in the restored Gaston Pam’s residence. In this haven of peace, time virtually stops. 

What a delight to watch the sun rising above the sea while listening to the murmur of the waves against the cliffs which cradles the few small colourful Catalan fishing boats left, to caress the old stones as if whispering to your ear, in a  singing Catalan accent, their histories… and to stroll up and down the quaintly streets paved with cobblestones and lined with pastel painted houses with bright colourful shutters sheltering art galleries, craft shops and cafés. Reputed not only for its rare and majestic beauty and inexhaustible source of artistic inspiration, Collioure is full of poetry. 

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