Visiting Collioure means discovering a Catalan port on the Côte Vermeille guarded by a royal castle, with a church whose bell tower was once a lighthouse and lanes where Matisse and Derain invented Fauvism. Things to do in Collioure, how to plan a day or a weekend and when to go based on Météo-France normals: here are the essentials.
A coastal town in the Pyrénées-Orientales, Collioure historically belongs to Roussillon, which became part of France in 1659 under the Treaty of the Pyrenees. It lies 2.2 km (1 mi) from Port-Vendres and 6.2 km (4 mi) from Banyuls-sur-Mer, at the foot of the Albères hills.
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Collioure in brief
- Location: Pyrénées-Orientales, Occitanie, Côte Vermeille
- Highlights: royal castle, Notre-Dame-des-Anges church and its bell tower, the Fauvism trail, Fort Saint-Elme, modern art museum
- Access: Collioure station (TER and Intercités trains, Narbonne – Portbou line); regional liO buses to Perpignan
- Getting around: on foot; a little tourist train to Port-Vendres
- Entry: standard France rules (see entry requirements)
- Ideal length: 1 day, 2 with the coast and the vineyards
Things to do in Collioure: the highlights
Notre-Dame-des-Anges church and its bell tower
Built between 1684 and 1691 in southern Gothic style, the church of Notre-Dame-des-Anges is surrounded by the sea on almost three sides. Its bell tower occupies an old watchtower from the Majorcan period that served as a lighthouse. Inside, the high altarpiece was made by Joseph Sunyer in 1698. The church and its tower have been listed historic monuments since 1923.
The royal castle
First mentioned in the early 13th century, the castle was enlarged by the Kings of Majorca, who also ruled Roussillon, then remodelled by Vauban in the late 17th century: raised ramparts, the current entrance and a demi-lune, completed in 1690. Owned by the Pyrénées-Orientales département since 1952, it is open to the public and hosts exhibitions. It has been a listed historic monument since 1922.
The Fauvism trail
In May 1905, Henri Matisse arrived in Collioure and invited the young André Derain to join him. During the summer of 1905, the two painters worked intensely there, with « colours straight from the tube »: this was the birth of Fauvism. The tourist office offers a Fauvism trail that follows the places they painted, as well as a guided tour.
Fort Saint-Elme
On the hill above Collioure, Fort Saint-Elme was built on the orders of Charles V to protect the coves of Collioure and Port-Vendres. The tourist office lists it among the sites to visit.
Antonio Machado
The Spanish poet Antonio Machado, who took refuge in Collioure in February 1939, died there on 22 February. A foundation pays tribute to him, and the tourist office points out the places linked to him.
Anchovies and wine
Collioure anchovies brought prosperity to the port in the 19th century; two salting houses still exist, Roque and Desclaux. The hillsides produce Collioure and Banyuls appellation wines, and the tourist office offers wine tours by e-bike.
The coastal path
The tourist office describes a coastal path linking Collioure with Cadaqués, in Spain. Walk a section, for example towards Port-Vendres, after checking the state of the path and the weather.
Itinerary: Collioure in 1 or 2 days
| Day | Morning | Afternoon | Evening |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Royal castle | Notre-Dame-des-Anges church, the lanes, modern art museum | Harbour and town-centre beaches |
| 2 | Fauvism trail or the climb to Fort Saint-Elme | Tourist train to Port-Vendres or the coastal path | Tasting Collioure and Banyuls wines |
| 3 (optional) | Train to Banyuls-sur-Mer or Cerbère | The Côte Vermeille | Back to Collioure |
Collioure is an easy trip from Perpignan, by train or bus. For a tour of Occitanie, add Carcassonne, Sète or Montpellier.
When to go to Collioure
May to June and September: 22.3 °C (72 °F) in the afternoon in May, 26.8 °C (80 °F) in June and 25.6 °C (78 °F) in September, with more than 7 hours of sunshine a day and without the intense heat of midsummer. July and August are the hottest (29.5 °C, or 85 °F, in July, and 27.0 days at 30 °C/86 °F or more over the two months in Perpignan) and the driest. Rain is infrequent and falls mainly in autumn: October is the wettest month (82.1 mm, or 3.2 in). Winter is mild (12.7 °C, or 55 °F, in January) and sunny, pleasant for sightseeing.
| Month | Max | Min | Rain | Rainy days | Sun / day | Sun vs Paris | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 12.7 °C (55 °F) | 4.8 °C (41 °F) | 60.1 mm (2.4 in) | 5.0 | 4.5 h | +2.6 h | ⚠️ Mild, sunny, quiet |
| February | 13.4 °C (56 °F) | 5.0 °C (41 °F) | 40.9 mm (1.6 in) | 3.8 | 5.8 h | +2.9 h | ⚠️ Mild, quiet |
| March | 16.4 °C (62 °F) | 7.6 °C (46 °F) | 51.6 mm (2.0 in) | 4.9 | 6.7 h | +2.3 h | ✅ Mild spring |
| April | 18.7 °C (66 °F) | 9.7 °C (49 °F) | 66.1 mm (2.6 in) | 6.2 | 7.3 h | +1.4 h | ✅ Pleasant |
| May | 22.3 °C (72 °F) | 13.3 °C (56 °F) | 45.6 mm (1.8 in) | 5.7 | 7.8 h | +1.3 h | ✅ Ideal |
| June | 26.8 °C (80 °F) | 17.2 °C (63 °F) | 23.6 mm (0.9 in) | 3.8 | 8.9 h | +2.1 h | ✅ Ideal, swimming |
| July | 29.5 °C (85 °F) | 19.7 °C (67 °F) | 15.1 mm (0.6 in) | 2.6 | 9.7 h | +2.5 h | ⚠️ Very hot, dry |
| August | 29.4 °C (85 °F) | 19.7 °C (67 °F) | 22.7 mm (0.9 in) | 3.1 | 8.8 h | +1.9 h | ⚠️ Very hot, dry |
| September | 25.6 °C (78 °F) | 16.1 °C (61 °F) | 43.0 mm (1.7 in) | 4.4 | 7.5 h | +1.6 h | ✅ Ideal, still warm |
| October | 21.2 °C (70 °F) | 12.9 °C (55 °F) | 82.1 mm (3.2 in) | 5.0 | 5.6 h | +1.8 h | ⚠️ Wettest month |
| November | 16.3 °C (61 °F) | 8.4 °C (47 °F) | 72.6 mm (2.9 in) | 4.9 | 4.9 h | +2.6 h | ⚠️ Mild, rain possible |
| December | 13.3 °C (56 °F) | 5.3 °C (42 °F) | 54.9 mm (2.2 in) | 4.7 | 4.2 h | +2.4 h | ⚠️ Mild, sunny |
Sunnier than Paris?
Yes, all year round, and especially in winter in relative terms. Perpignan gets an average of 2,489 hours of sunshine a year, against 1,717 at Paris-Montsouris. In January, expect 4.5 hours of sunshine a day against 1.9 in Paris, more than double; in July, 9.7 against 7.2. Compare with our ranking of the sunniest cities in France.
How many rainy days over a weekend?
Very few: scaling the average number of rainy days (≥ 1 mm) to a two-day stay, you can expect 0.2 rainy days over a weekend in July and at most 0.4 in April. The table adds the hot days (30 °C/86 °F or more) measured in Perpignan, useful for avoiding heatwaves.
| Month | Rainy days over 2 days | Days ≥ 25 °C (77 °F) in the month | Days ≥ 30 °C (86 °F) in the month |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| February | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| March | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.0 |
| April | 0.4 | 1.2 | 0.0 |
| May | 0.4 | 6.7 | 0.6 |
| June | 0.3 | 20.9 | 5.4 |
| July | 0.2 | 28.9 | 14.2 |
| August | 0.2 | 29.0 | 12.8 |
| September | 0.3 | 17.6 | 2.7 |
| October | 0.3 | 4.2 | 0.3 |
| November | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
| December | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
These normals come from Perpignan, on the Roussillon plain; by the sea in Collioure, temperatures may differ slightly.
Getting there and getting around Collioure
- By train: Collioure station is a stop on the Narbonne – Portbou line, served by TER Occitanie and Intercités trains, towards Perpignan and Narbonne to the north, Cerbère and Portbou to the south. Timetables on the SNCF website.
- By bus: regional liO buses link Collioure with Perpignan; check the current line and timetable on the liO website.
- In town: the village is best explored on foot; a little tourist train links Collioure with Port-Vendres. For parking, see the « Access » section of the tourist office website.
Where to stay
Staying in the village lets you enjoy the harbour in the evening. Port-Vendres and Perpignan, linked by train or bus, are alternatives. In summer, book early.
If you… then…: choosing your visit
| If you… | Then… |
|---|---|
| are coming from Perpignan for the day | train or liO bus; royal castle, church and the Fauvism trail |
| love painting | the Fauvism trail and the modern art museum |
| enjoy walking | Fort Saint-Elme and a section of the coastal path towards Port-Vendres |
| enjoy wine | a wine tour through the Collioure and Banyuls vineyards |
| dislike the heat | avoid July-August and aim for May, June or September |
Entry requirements, health and safety
- US citizens: you may enter the Schengen area, including France, for up to 90 days for tourism or business without a visa. Your passport should be valid at least three months beyond your stay (six months recommended), and immigration officers may ask for proof of sufficient funds and a return ticket (U.S. Department of State, travel.state.gov, last updated August 11, 2025).
- UK citizens: no visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period as a tourist; your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before you arrive and be valid at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area. Under the EU Entry/Exit System (EES), fingerprints and a photo may be taken at your first entry, free of charge (UK FCDO, GOV.UK, updated 22 October 2026).
- Health: UK travellers need a GHIC or a valid EHIC for medically necessary state healthcare; whatever your nationality, take out travel insurance that covers medical costs. Emergency number: 112 (GOV.UK).
- Crossing into Spain: carry your passport if you continue to Spain on foot or by train.
- Storms: the streams that cross the town, often dry, can overflow during storms; follow local instructions. GOV.UK notes a flood risk in some areas of France and a high summer wildfire risk along the Mediterranean coast.
- Swimming: most beaches have lifeguards and warning flags; understand them and follow them closely (GOV.UK).
- See our travel insurance guide.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to visit Collioure?
One day for the royal castle, the church, the harbour and the Fauvism trail; two with Fort Saint-Elme, the coastal path and the vineyards.
What is the best time to visit Collioure?
May, June and September, for warmth without excess (highs of 22.3 to 25.6 °C, or 72 to 78 °F) according to Météo-France normals for Perpignan.
How do you get to Collioure without a car?
By train (Collioure station, Narbonne – Portbou line) or by regional liO bus from Perpignan.
Why is Collioure linked to Fauvism?
Henri Matisse and André Derain painted there in the summer of 1905, a period considered to be the birth of Fauvism.
Was the bell tower of Collioure a lighthouse?
Yes, the bell tower of Notre-Dame-des-Anges church is an old watchtower from the Majorcan period that served as a lighthouse.
Our sources
- Météo-France, Perpignan climate data sheet (66136001), 1991-2020 statistics, consulted on 23 October 2026
- Météo-France, Paris-Montsouris climate data sheet (1991-2020), for the sunshine comparison
- Wikipedia: « Collioure », « Château royal de Collioure », consulted on 23 October 2026
- Collioure tourist office (tourisme-collioure.com), consulted on 23 October 2026
- Destination de Voyage calculations: sunshine per day, difference with Paris, rainy days over a weekend
- Entry requirements, health and safety checked on 26 October 2026: U.S. Department of State, France country information (last updated August 11, 2025) and UK FCDO, GOV.UK foreign travel advice for France (updated 22 October 2026).
- Our methodology
Updated October 2026.
To extend your trip, see our guide to France and our destinations in Europe.
