Heritage, sea and wonders!
Route details
Description
From the Tourist Office and facing the bay, head left towards the famous bell tower of the Notre-Dame des Anges Church.
Before arriving in front of the church, take the stairs on the left which take you back to rue de la Paix and rue du Mirador. At the top of the latter, turn around to see the bell tower one last time before leaving. On the way, we notice the signs for the “Chemin du fauvisme” route with the works of Matisse and Derain.
Turn left and head towards Argeles-sur-mer, taking the sidewalk on the right after the roundabout. Be careful, the hill is steep to start this hike, it's a good warm-up for the rest of the route.
When you reach the stadium car park, turn right and cross the car park from one side to the other to join the coastal path. Turn left at a right angle, leaving Fort Miradoux on your right, which is home to the National Commando Training Centre (CNEC).
The path runs along the fortifications of Vauban and offers a breathtaking view as far as the Ouille cove.
At the end of the beach, take the stairs which take you to a section completely renovated in 2020 behind the Camping des “Criques de Porteils”.
Turn just after the campsite onto the coastal path to enjoy the first views of the Porteils coves while in the distance the sandy beaches of Argelès-sur-Mer can already be seen.
The coastal path begins a sharp climb before ending on a schist staircase at the entrance to the hamlet of Racou. Cross this hamlet.
At the roundabout, turn left and go to the end of the road. Go right onto the D114 cycle path. Cross over, go under the tunnel and then start the climb towards the Château de Valmy in the vineyards of the estate.
Enjoy the panorama and the exceptional tranquility of this site before starting the return to Collioure. A few meters after the roundabout a wooden footbridge appears on the right. It invites you to continue in the shade of a forest on a hilly path which skirts the hamlet from behind, offering you pretty views amidst the vegetation. Join the coastal path via the tarmac track and continue the path taken on the way out. (The return may be more direct. In this case, it is possible to follow the SNCF track by the track rather than by the beach to the cove of Ouille).
Continue on the coastal path to Collioure.
Before arriving in front of the church, take the stairs on the left which take you back to rue de la Paix and rue du Mirador. At the top of the latter, turn around to see the bell tower one last time before leaving. On the way, we notice the signs for the “Chemin du fauvisme” route with the works of Matisse and Derain.
Turn left and head towards Argeles-sur-mer, taking the sidewalk on the right after the roundabout. Be careful, the hill is steep to start this hike, it's a good warm-up for the rest of the route.
When you reach the stadium car park, turn right and cross the car park from one side to the other to join the coastal path. Turn left at a right angle, leaving Fort Miradoux on your right, which is home to the National Commando Training Centre (CNEC).
The path runs along the fortifications of Vauban and offers a breathtaking view as far as the Ouille cove.
At the end of the beach, take the stairs which take you to a section completely renovated in 2020 behind the Camping des “Criques de Porteils”.
Turn just after the campsite onto the coastal path to enjoy the first views of the Porteils coves while in the distance the sandy beaches of Argelès-sur-Mer can already be seen.
The coastal path begins a sharp climb before ending on a schist staircase at the entrance to the hamlet of Racou. Cross this hamlet.
At the roundabout, turn left and go to the end of the road. Go right onto the D114 cycle path. Cross over, go under the tunnel and then start the climb towards the Château de Valmy in the vineyards of the estate.
Enjoy the panorama and the exceptional tranquility of this site before starting the return to Collioure. A few meters after the roundabout a wooden footbridge appears on the right. It invites you to continue in the shade of a forest on a hilly path which skirts the hamlet from behind, offering you pretty views amidst the vegetation. Join the coastal path via the tarmac track and continue the path taken on the way out. (The return may be more direct. In this case, it is possible to follow the SNCF track by the track rather than by the beach to the cove of Ouille).
Continue on the coastal path to Collioure.