Many of you liked my Menton series so much, you asked me for more travel stories. I have fulfilled your wish with this new series of stories and photos from Collioure, a small seaside village in southwest France.
My painter friends Laurie and Blair rented a house in Collioure for the month of December and a few extra days in January and invited me to come on down. Never refusing a travel invite, I took them up on their offer and took the train down right after New Years.
It was a crisp sunny day when I arrived and the brilliant sunshine along with some warmth was most welcome after too many gray, chilled days in Paris. Collioure is near the Catalan region of Spain and Cadaques, where Salavador Dali lived most of his life, is 20 minutes away. You can see many Catalan touches in the architecture, food, and culture of Collioure. Collioure is pure charm and just as you would picture a romantic village in the south of France. Laurie and Blair's small house was located in the old part of the city, a two minute walk from the port where the Notre Dame des Anges church and the lighthouse bell tower.
In the early 1900s, Collioure was a haven for Fauvist painters including Andre Derain, Matisse, Georges Braques, and Picasso. There are 98 reproductions of Matisse's and Derain's works all over the village at the exact locations they were painted.
The origins of Collioure date from 673 when it was a trading port and in 981 the Count of Roussillon and the king of Majorca built a fortress as used it for their summer residence. It still stands today and was restored in 1945. In 1659 in became part of the French crown.
In the coming days I will share more about the magic of Collioure and the fun side trips we made. Stay tuned.
Laurie, Blair, and Harika
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Come experience my blog ìliveî with my Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I lead. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour includes many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.Tours cost 195 euros for up to 3 people, and 65 euros for each additional person. I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris. www.eyepreferparistours.com
New! Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes
I am happy to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes. Come take an ethnic culinary journey with me and chef and caterer Charlotte Puckette, co-author of the bestseller The Ethnic Paris Cookbook (with Olivia Kiang-Snaije). First we will shop at a Paris green-market for the freshest ingredients and then return to Charlotteís professional kitchen near the Eiffel Tower to cook a three-course lunch. After, we will indulge in the delicious feast we prepared along with hand-selected wines.
Cost: 185 euros per person (about $240)
Time: 9:30AM- 2PM (approximately 4 1/2 hours)
Location: We will meet by a metro station close to the market
Class days: Tuesday,Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday
Minimum of 2 students, maximum 6 students.
Click here to sign up for the next class or for more info.
Shhhhhh! Let's keep Collioure our little secret!
We used to go to Beaulieu-sur-Mer every summer on the Côte d'Azur, but after we discovered Collioure, that's where we go. This year, as in years past, we've rented a great little apartment in June....It's France at its unspoiled best--no "yacht crowd" here! No overdevelopment--look up into the hills and you see the vineyards of Collioure AOC (not piles and piles of condos).
Your friend's house wasn't, by chance, the Maison Frere, was it? It's a couple blocks from the beach. A wonderful spot in the world.
Thanks for the great photos. And, everyone--I'm kidding about keeping Collioure a secret. There's room here for everyone. Just don't go in August. (June is a great month--but after the 15th the wonderful waters will be a bit warmer.)
Best,
Wini Moranville
Author of the Bonne Femme Cookbook
Posted by: Chezbonnefemme | March 12, 2012 at 01:35 PM
Colliure Week Part 2: Anchovies, Food Market, and Cafe Templiers
Posted by: Pat | March 12, 2012 at 06:48 PM
Beautiful Photography! Thanks so much for sharing this.
Posted by: Susan | March 12, 2012 at 06:51 PM
Richard, these are extraordinary , love these trips you are taking, and I was especially
taken with the fashion shows.
Posted by: Ginny | March 12, 2012 at 06:52 PM
These pics of charming village makes me long for a time extended,much, much needed vacation
Posted by: Mali | March 12, 2012 at 06:56 PM