Collioure, France

One of the most scenic towns I've ever seen

Monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes#

Our journey to Collioure actually started by going the opposite direction to see the Monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes in the mountains to the east of Peralada where we stayed the night before. Not sure what was happening here on the way up the mountain but the smoke was gone by the time we came back down the mountain.

  1. Spectacular views from the road up
  1. And fun roads to drive a stick shift on

Windy roads

  1. Our first view of the Monastery
  1. Entrance down to the main room
  1. Courtyard towers

Chapel with impressive ceilings for the 11th century

  1. Interior courtyard
  1. Bell tower interior

Collioure, France#

An hour-ish drive and some extremely tight parking later we were ready to be back on foot and explore.

  1. There's so many art shops
  1. View of the harbor
  1. First view of the tower and beach
  • Collioure shops 1
  • Collioure shops 2
  1. Collioure shops 3

The tourist train that goes up into the hills outside of town is well worth it for the views even if you can’t understand anything the driver is telling you about what you’re seeing.

  1. Tourist train we took that goes up into the hills
  1. I'm glad I'm not driving
  1. Wine has been grown here for many centuries
  1. Rolling hills make for good wine
  1. Collioure overlook

  1. Surprised to see century plant up here
  • Alley to get to our stay
  1. Sailboats without wind
  2. Even the grocery stores are beautiful
  1. View from the castle
  1. Overlook from the castle
  1. Clear waters in the bay
  1. Where the rocks meet the sea

  1. Artichoke Appetizer
  2. Creamy dessert
  1. Sunset over the castle at dinner

On our last non travel day we went up to visit the La Guinelle Vinaigrerie which makes vinegars from premium wine (versus the bad wine most people make vinegar from) and naturally ferments and ages the vinegar in these barrels and bottles.

  1. La Guinelle Vinaigrerie
  1. Vinegar fermentation and aging

And then off to Les Clos de Paulilles vineyard for lunch

  1. Les Clos de Paulilles for lunch

And then one more squeeze into the tightest driveway I’ve ever gone through which took a ridiculous amount of maneuvering, backing up, spotting, and pumping the clutch. Each time it took 15 minutes or more just to park.

  1. Tight parking

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