Collioure holiday house in Collioure

We stayed here for the last 2 weeks in September with another couple. The owner, Mark, sent us a key and easy to follow directions. The house was just as described, in a quiet complex on a hill about 15 minutes walk from Collioure centre, with great views of the sea and equipped with all we needed. It is part of a terrace of houses and appartments with a shared pool - which we had to ourselves. The 2 visitor parking places were occupied but we had no problem parking on the road at the top of the steps down to the house. You can relax on the balconies and watch the old fishing boats, wind surfers, or local commandos practicing - will take binoculars next time! The weather was hot and dry except for one stormy day and we walked into Collioure or Port Vendres (about 25 mins to the harbour) every day. Collioure is breathtakingly beautiful by day and night - famed for anchovies and as an artists' haven. It has pebbly beaches, clear warm sea full of fish, shops, galleries, a fortress, bars, restaurants and the clocktower. Eating out in Collioure wasn't as expensive as we expected. There is a huge choice - we enjoyed amazing fish platters in Coco Liberis, tapas in Le Clocher and moules frites and crepes in St Elme but our favourite was Le Templiers hotel bar and restaurant where the walls are covered in paintings and we shared huge portions of whitebait and calamares at lunchtime and had a really good 3 course evening meal for 18 euros. Loads to see and do in the area - galleries, local wines (visit Cellier de Templiers in Banyuls - tour + wine tasting 10 euros), markets twice a week (try 6 oysters and a glass of wine 5 euros), cliff walks, St Elme fortress above the house (amazing views and tours on the hour), hilltop Cathar castles about an hour away by car. There is a small sandy cove near to the house (10 mins stroll) with a car park above it and there are bigger sandy beaches about 20 minutes by car in either direction. No need for a car - walk or take the little train which also goes to Banyuls, Port Vendres and Argeles or the 1 euro bus - or try a boat trip. Lidl is 15 mins by foot towards Port Vendres, where there are good restaurants next to the harbour. We prepared some simple meals at home with really fresh ingredients - spaghetti with clams, chicken tagine, fish and tapas. The whole experience was brilliant - and we returned fitter and relaxed. Thank you Mark. We hope to visit your lovely house again and have recommended it to friends and family.

My wife and I rented for a week from 10th Sept 2011 and had a delightful stay. We spent a day in Collioure a few years ago when holidaying near Perpignan and enjoyed it so much we planned to return when we could.

The apartment was as described with great views of the sea from both floors. We were very comfortable and everything we needed was available – even an iron, which wasn’t mentioned in the brochure. The local agent very kindly popped in to see us the afternoon of our arrival just to make sure that all was OK. I can’t comment on the cooking facilities as we mainly eat out and only had light cold snacks at the house.

We didn’t have any difficulty parking near the house but the two unallocated bays were a little tight. We managed to park at the top of the entrance steps throughout our stay but expect it might be a little more difficult at the height of the season. Parking in Collioure itself was another matter and we generally walked in and out of the town – a bit steep on the way back but no great distance.

Collioure itself is a lovely town and there a plenty of interesting places to wander around. Because it is so far south, we were told by locals that it had quite a long season and there were plenty of restaurants and the like open off-season.

We were impressed with the standard of the restaurants and bistros in both Collioure and Port-Vendres. Everything we had, from a sandwich to a full three-course meal, was terrific, particularly the fish. And the prices were very reasonable – comparing very favourably with the Limousin area of France where we live. It doesn’t seem fair to single out any one restaurant but we were very impressed with the restaurant Restaurant Côte Mer Côte Gers in Port-Vendres where I had an absolutely enormous dorade for 16€.

Fishing – there are plenty of very large grey mullet in these waters and, if you’re a fisherman and want a really frustrating experience, you could spend an evening or two trying to catch them on light freshwater tackle off the rocks or in one of the harbours– well worth the challenge.

All-in-all, we can thoroughly recommend this holiday venue and hope to return soon.

The property is in an excellent location with superb sea views from both balconies. As it is situated about half-way between Collioure and Port Vendres (approx. 10-15 minutes walk to each) - it is surprisingly quiet. It is a real home-from-home and was immaculately clean and well presented. The swimming pool (also clean and well-maintained) was never particularly busy during our stay, and guests and locals alike were extremely friendly and helpful. There are also several small beaches within a few minutes walk and the sea is clear and warm! Collioure is easily accessible from Perpignan without a car and I would recommend making the most of the local tourist buses which cost just one euro for any journey during high season. Both Collioure and Port Vendres have a superb range of restaurants and the food and wine were extremely good.