De Collioure au Château de Valmy par le sentier littoral
Heritage, sea and wonders!
From the Tourist Office and facing the bay, turn left towards the famous bell tower and, for insiders, the Church of Our Lady of the Angels.
Before arriving in front of the church, take the stairs on the left which allow you to go up through the streets of Peace and Mirador. At the top of the latter turn around to see the bell tower one last time before leaving. If you are observant, you will then see a reproduction of a painting by Matisse that he produced with his friend Derain in the summer of 1905.
Turn on your left and take the direction of Argeles-sur-mer by taking the sidewalk on your right after the roundabout. Be careful, the coast is steep to start this hike, it's a good warm-up for the rest of the route.
When you arrive at the stadium car park, turn right and cross the car park from side to side to join the coastal path. You will then turn off at a right angle to the left, leaving Fort Miradoux, the cradle of the National Commando Training Center (CNEC), on your right hand.
The path runs along the fortifications of Vauban and offers you a breathtaking view as far as the Ouille cove.
On leaving the beach, take the stairs that will take you to a section completely renovated in 2020 behind the "Criques de Porteils" campsite.
Turn just after the campsite on the coastal path to appreciate the first viewpoints of the creeks of Porteils while in the distance the sandy beaches of Argelès-sur-Mer are already visible.
The coastal path begins a sudden ascent before ending on a schist staircase at the entrance to the Hameau du Racou. Cross this hamlet by following the yellow markings of the coastal path to the port of Argelès-sur-mer.
Cross the RD 81 and then begin the ascent to the Château de Valmy using the paved cycle path from the Holiday Village to the entrance to the Château de Valmy which stands in front of you between the vineyards and the Albères massif.
Enjoy the panorama and the exceptional tranquility of this site before starting the return to Collioure. Go down from the parking lot of the Château towards the cellar by the path which starts at the entrance to the parking lot.
Walk along the Château de Valmy vineyard for about 1 km before crossing the expressway through a tunnel.
Leaving the tunnel, turn left towards Mas Perillot then arriving at the crossroads, cross the D 114.
Turn left in the direction of Racou while remaining secure behind the protective wall. At the end of the cycle path enter the hamlet of Le Racou again by taking the roundabout.
A few meters after the roundabout a wooden footbridge appears on your right. She invites you to continue in the shade of a forest, don't hesitate for a second. You then take a hilly path that goes around the hamlet from the back, offering you pretty viewpoints in the middle of the vegetation.
Rejoin the coastal path by the paved track and continue the path taken on the outward journey.
The return is more direct and offers you to follow the SNCF track by the track rather than by the beach to the creek of Ouille.
Depending on your desire, take either the outward path or go to the bottom of the creek on the concrete staircase that goes up from Camping de la Girelle to the entrance to Collioure via the fortifications of Vauban ( Fort Rodon, Fort Carré) and end up in Collioure.
Location