anyuls lies in the middle of “ Côte Vermeille”, between the mouth of the Baillaury river and a valley of orchards, where grapevines tumble across the hillsides.
The coast of Côte Vermeille, described by many as the most breathtaking stretch of the French Mediterranean, covers a distance of 30 kilom eters. The northern most point is at
Argelès-sur-Mer, and it runs to the Spanish border in the south. Its name is taken from the warm red colours of the soil; these colours come alive as the seaside cliffs plummet into the deep blue of the Mediterranean. This incredible view is only enhanced by the endless tangle of grapevines that weave and wind across the impressive Pyrenees mountain range.
Argelès-sur-Mer, and it runs to the Spanish border in the south. Its name is taken from the warm red colours of the soil; these colours come alive as the seaside cliffs plummet into the deep blue of the Mediterranean. This incredible view is only enhanced by the endless tangle of grapevines that weave and wind across the impressive Pyrenees mountain range.
A quick trip in the car can take you south to Spain. The pass, Col de Banyuls, offers a memorable trip through pristine nature and small villages that can only be described as cultural relics. Be sure to leave time for a visit to the old Benedictine Monastery, Sant Quirze, from the 10 th century. There is also a small Spanish inn here. You'll reach it within about 20 minutes; a walking tour of the area takes no more than an hour. From here you can continue on to Perelada. Visitors with a taste for Dali might be interested in driving further to Figueres, to visit the Dali Museum, or Cadaquès, to visit Dali's residence.
Heading north from Banyuls, you will come to Port Vendres. This ten minute journey takes you to a well known fishing harbour with numerous fish markets and excellent restaurants. Minutes from Port Vendres lies Collioure; it began as an artist's city in the 20 th century and is now a popular tourist destination.
By continuing north, you will encounter endless beaches and, after approximately 30 minutes, the large city of Perpignan. Perpignan has over 150,000 residents, and it is a great shopping destination. Be sure to visit the Palace of the Kings of Mallorca, an impressive castle covering almost a quarter of Perpignan's old town.
West of Banyuls you will find the Albères – Pyrénées mountain range, with beautiful Mediterranean towns, and Vallespir, a rugged area where fruit trees give way to mimosa and chestnut trees. This is also where you will find the little town of Céret -"the Mecca of the cubists” – with an excellent modern museum. Céret is approximately a 45-minute drive from Banyuls.
