Excursion South corniche coastal drive tour at Collioure

Discover all the villages: Port Vendres -Banyuls and the last French city before Spain "Cerbere." Between the sea and the mountains, this village offers breath-taking views of the Mediterranean Sea.

Its inhabitants are called Cerverins. Cerbere's proximity to Spain played a significant role in what has become known as "The Retreat". The village is best known for the border railway station between Spain and France. In the early months of 1939, many of the near 500,000 Republic refugees fleeing Franco's Spain flooded over the border and passed through Cerbere and other border villages. It was in 1864 that the destiny of Cerbere was to change. In that year, an agreement was signed between Spain and France to build a rail link between the two countries, leading to the construction of two frontier stations, which led to a rapid growth of population.

Take some free time to admire the colourful Catalan boats in the port or accompany your guide to visit the Hotel Belvedere a former hotel designed in Art Deco style by a local architect and built between 1928 and 1932. It has the overall appearance of a ship. It had its own cinema and tennis court on the roof but closed its doors in 1983. Part of the building has been brought back to life into use as apartments with original features still intact.

Alternately, browse the village admiring the old houses freight (Massot home, Trias home) and discover 2 works of Gustave Eiffel:

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion may include: Scenic Coastal drive, Visit Cerbere, Notre Dame de la Mer Viewpoint

Note

Please note: This tour involves a moderate amount of walking (on sometimes cobblestoned streets) with some steps to negotiate, and is not recommended for guests with limited mobility or those who utilise a wheelchair. Guests are recommended to wear comfortable clothing and shoes.