Collioure
may not be on the Costa Brava, but it is part of Cataloonia, and is
a very worthwhile place to visit.This picturesque village is
situated 26km (15 miles) north of the Spanish border at the end of
the Pyrenees in a small Mediteranean cove with it's own harbour.
 History:
Since the 1st century AD, Collioure was an important trading base
and in the 10th century the town was developed & fortified.
During the 12th & 13th centuries the town was the summer
residence of the Majorcan Court until 15th century, when the port
anbd town saw a progressive decline.
Between the 15th & 17th centuries AD Collioure fell alternately
between French and Spansih rule until the 1659 Pyrenean Peace Treaty
final ceded the Rousillon area to the French.
Monuments: For a small town, Collioure has a wealth of
interesting buildings and monuments. Among these are: St Vincent's
chapel, Miradou fortress, The protestant chapel, Fort Rand & the
Fort Carre, Fortresses of St Elme and Dugommier. The Madeloc &Massane
Towers, The Taillefer Battery and The Mill.
Food & Drink: The two major industries of the town are
Anchovy fishing and wine making.
Anchovies have been caught in the bay for centuriesand the small
bluish fish are the basis ingredient for many Catalan dishes.The
French Ministry of Agriculture has granted the town the ''site
remarquable du goût'' (the site of culinary excellence'')
award.
Wine grape vines cover 1800 hectars and from these the A.O.C. wines
of Banyuls and Collioure are prodThe consistent quality of these
wines are due to the richness of the soil and the Mediterannean sun
and local tramantanawind. The terraces were constructed several
centuries before Christ.
Sport: For a small town there are a host of sports
facilities on offer:
Snorkelling & ski-diving -
www.cip-collioure.com
Tel: +34 468 82 07 16
Hiking - from 1 to 7 hours. Get guide book from the tourist office.
Tennis - at Clum Cat Dourats Tel +34 468 82 47 55
Sailing - Lessons usuing Lasesr & Optimists at Plage Saint
Vincent
Horse & Pony Riding - www-cheval-argeles.com
Tel +34 468 813268
Sea Kyaking - www.kayakmer.net
Tel +34 468 88 34 25
Mountain bike, scooter, quad & boat rental - XTrem Bike Tel +34
468 82 59 77 |
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Art
& Literature: Collioure has always been an inpiration for
artists and Picasso, Matisse, Derain and many others include the
town and harbour in their works. With over twodozen art galleries,
Collioure remains ''The City of Painters''.
Antonio Machado (b.26/7/1875) escaped Barcelona under Franco's
dictatorship in 1939 to make live in the town until his death. Every
February the ''Antonio Machado Foundation'' invites entries for an
international poetry competition, and an International Literature
Prize is awarded every 2 years on Antonio Machado's Day.
Patrick O'Brian, British author, wrote most of his books in his
Collioure home from 1949 until his death in 2000. Major works
include Captain Jack Aubrey and Dr Stephen Martin's Adventures (from
which the film ''Master and Commender'' was produced.
Leisure: The Espace Cap Dourats casino is open from 10:00am
to 4:00 with evening shows during the week. A free shuttle bus
operates. Tel +34 468 98 42 42.
The tourist train departs from the Post Office car park. Trips
between 10:00am and 10:00pm Collioure vinyards, the Fort Sant Elm
and back via the coast. Visit
petit-train-touristique.com.
There are 2 Discos - Le Vertigo and L'Indigo.
Festivals: Catalans enjoy their Festivals in both Spain and
France. Some are linked to religious holidays so the dates vary. The
main Collioure festivals are:
February - Antonio Machado's celebrations
Good Friday- Sanch Procession Starts 9:00 at
Notre Dame des Anges church annd passes altars set up in the streets
Easter Saturday & Sunday - Goig dels Ous (chorals)
23rd June - Fête de la St Jean. 9:00pm
Torch-lit procession through the streets, sardana dances &
fireworks
14th July - Fête Nationale. National Holiday with Parade &
sardana dances
14th-18th August - Fête de la Saint
Vincent. Games & competitions on the water
dances, concerts & street music
16th August - Bull Fight & Fireworks
All Saints Day (Toussaint). Antique Fair at Chateau Royal.
December - Christmas Market at Chateau Royal.
31st December - New Year's Eve on the beach (Dress
code)
Throughout the year are cultural program of Concerts, Dance &
Theatre productions and Sadarna dances.
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