About the Port
Collioure gathers around a small harbor on France's Vermilion Coast, its pastel houses, a pink-domed bell tower, and a royal castle rising almost from the water. The Château Royal, once held by the Kings of Majorca and later the Kings of France, anchors the seafront, while narrow lanes climb toward hillside vineyards and views over the Mediterranean. Small pebbled beaches and clear water give the town its enduring nickname as a jewel of this coastline.
In the early twentieth century, the quality of light here drew Matisse and Derain, whose canvases of Collioure's harbor and rooftops helped launch Fauvism. Reproductions of their works are still displayed at the spots where they were painted, allowing an easy walk through the town's artistic history. The pier sits close to the old town, making it simple to explore the harbor, castle, and winding streets on foot.
Pavlus Recommendations
How our planners would spend a day in Collioure.
Follow the Fauvism Trail
Walk past reproduction canvases planted at the exact spots where Matisse and Derain painted, comparing their bold colors to the harbor scene today. The loop covers the waterfront and takes under an hour on foot.
Tour the Château Royal
Explore the royal fortress that once guarded the harbor for the Kings of Majorca and France, with courtyards, ramparts, and coastal views. It sits right at the port, an easy stop before wandering the old town.
Taste Local Banyuls Wine
Sample the sweet fortified wine grown on terraced hillside vineyards above town, a Collioure specialty since medieval times. Small cellars and cafés near the old quarter pour tastings by the glass.
Cruise Lines That Call Here
Cruises That Visit Collioure
| Departs | Cruise Line | Ship | Itinerary | Nights | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 13, 2027 | Silversea | Silver Shadow | 24 | $14,400 | |
| Apr 13, 2027 | Silversea | Silver Shadow | 12 | $7,984 | |
| Apr 23, 2027 | Atlas Ocean Voyages | World Traveller | 8 | $4,993 | |
| Aug 14, 2027 | Emerald Yachts | Emerald Sakara | 7 | $5,323 | |
| Oct 9, 2027 | Atlas Ocean Voyages | World Traveller | 8 | $5,443 | |
| May 16, 2028 | Emerald Yachts | Emerald Sakara | 8 | $7,262 | |
| Jun 17, 2028 | Silversea | Silver Ray | 19 | $12,900 | |
| Jun 17, 2028 | Silversea | Silver Ray | 9 | $6,880 | |
| Jun 19, 2028 | Scenic Cruises | Scenic Ikon | 18 | $26,350 | |
| Jun 27, 2028 | Scenic Cruises | Scenic Ikon | 10 | $13,998 | |
| Jun 27, 2028 | Scenic Cruises | Scenic Ikon | 21 | $65,380 | |
| Aug 5, 2028 | Silversea | Silver Ray | 16 | $11,000 | |
| Aug 13, 2028 | Silversea | Silver Ray | 8 | $6,080 | |
| Sep 24, 2028 | Scenic Cruises | Scenic Ikon | 10 | $14,474 |