Attractive Port with an unusually large number of art galleries. In the XIIth century it was part of the Kingdom of Majorca. There is still a spectacular Royal Palace here. It was later taken over by the Kings of Aragon. After the area was ceded to France in 1659 the industrious Vauban reinforced it as a secure military base. The bay, sandwiched between two small fishing ports, is dominated by a fortress built by Vauban in the 17th century.
In the 20th century, this typical southern French port was the centre of the artistic
movement, Fauvism, known for the painters’ use of vivid colours. The home of the
Fauvist Movement, favoured because of the rare quality of the light. As the leading
fauvist, Matisse, put it "No sky in all France is more blue than that of
Collioure". Picasso, Bracque, Derain and Dali all painted here. Copies of 20 works
from Matisse and Derain are placed at the points from which the originals were painted,
allowing viewers to compare old and new.. These days, it’s a popular seaside resort
and sailing centre with a marina and diving centre. Also on offer is wind surfing.
Things to see: the ‘Templar’s Inn’ modern art museum; the 12th century
Chateau of the Templars - once the summer residence of the Kings of Majorca and Aragon;
the tomb of the Spanish poet Antonio Machado in the town cemetery; the ‘Fonds
Peske’ museum of modern art; anchovy salting workshops; vineyard and wine cellar; the
church of Notre Dame des Anges. Nearby is the Madeloc Tower, with its panoramic coastal
views.
Events: evening procession on Good Friday; the ‘festa major’ town festival on
August 16th.
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