Our daughter and son-in-law are living and working in Barcelona now, so we are using any vacation time we have to visit them and places near them. We would like to find a village in France that we can stay in for a week next October before going on to be with them. I am thinking of Collioure, which is only 2.5 hours from them and has a Fauve art museum I would like to see. Please tell us what you think of this idea if you have been there. We mostly just like to walk around, perhaps do some hiking or day trips, and we love art. I realize it can be touristy. Is there a better place close to Barcelona to experience life AND FOOD! in France for a week?
Posted by
55 posts
you couldn't do better-we've stayed there2-3 times over the years. Many of the Impressionist painters used to winter there and there are plaques throughout the village of what they painted. The coastal drive is terrific from Barcelona, and the Sunday market shouldn't be missed. We love it!
Posted by
Camano Island, WA, usa
1450 posts
If you look at Collioure on a satellite view map it appears to be beach resort next to a nature preserve. The old town has a Castle on the Port. There are several hotels, etc.,if you are not "camping". There are a lot of camping club locations for RVs/Caravan/Cabins. You might be able to find a self catering accommodation so you can make meals for yourself. It does look like a convenient location to tour Carcassonne.
Posted by
Waikikamukau
439 posts
Collioure is a lovely place. It was quite crowded with tourists when we were there (mid summer 2018).
We also stayed in a much smaller village Villefranche de Conflent which we enjoyed very much. Plenty to do in and around it. It is also where the Little Yellow Train starts/finishes. The Little Yellow Train climbs through the Pyrenees from Villefranche de Conflent to Latour de Carol where you can catch the Barcelona -Toulouse train.
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10196 posts
Collioure is a good choice and a day trip to Villefranche du Confluent with a ride on the Yellow train to Mont Louis and back is perfect in October. I've been to all these places.
Posted by
Panguitch, Utah
2546 posts
Collioure is a beautiful location. However, it is very small, something to keep in mind if you plan on staying a week.
Posted by
Washington, DC USA
348 posts
Collioure is lovely and relaxing with plenty of nearby walking trails, good food and local wine. I'm not sure what you mean by a Fauve art museum, unless that is something relatively new. As I remember, the Fauve trail provides markers with small reproductions at the spots where one could view the scene depicted in a painting. This was fun and interesting, but if you are expecting to see the actual artwork, you might be disappointed.
Posted by
Southeast of Seattle
700 posts
There is the Modern Art Museum there, so maybe some Fauvism to enjoy.