from the 1st of June to the 30th September: 10:00 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.
du 1er Octobre au 31 Mai: 9:00a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
Heritage
The heritage of Collioure is a result of a rich history made of successive invasions. Monuments were built, destroyed and built again. As a former strategically important point on the Catalan coast, Collioure possesses an important system of fortifications.
Le Château Royal XIII - XVIIIè
Tél. 04 68 82 06 43 - Fax. 04 68 82 23 55
Opening hours :
from the 1st of June to the 30th September: 10:00 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.
du 1er Octobre au 31 Mai: 9:00a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
The Château Royal was built on Roman foundations and is the center of Collioure’s fortification. Most of it was built during the reign of the Counts of Roussillon and Kings of Aragon between 1376 and 1344. Later on, the Majorcan court lived in the castle. It was then occupied by the spanish until 1642, when it fell into French hands. Vauban had the outer city wall built and the rampart flattened (nowadays it is a carpark).
In 1922 the castle, which by then had been declared a historical monument, was completely restored and remained in the possession of the French army until 1945. In 1951 it was sold to the General Council of the department of Pyrénées Orientales.
The fort was built in 1552 by the Spanish King Charles V and is situated on a hill which towers over Collioure and Port-Vendres. For a long time it was the main base of the coastal defense system. On August 21 st , 1913 the fort was sold at an auction and has since then been privately owned. From July to Septembre 30th guided tours every day from 11.00 am to 7.00 pm.
La Tour de Madeloc XIII
The tower is situated 652 m (2100 ft) above sea level. From here you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the lowlands and the coast of Roussillon. Like the Massane Tower - a former warning tower at an altitude of 812m (2600 ft) – it was used for supervising the sea and the Spanish coast. Today the tower is used for broadcasting television.
Eglise Notre Dame des Anges XVII
Opening hours :
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 and 2:00p.m. to 6:00p.m.
The extraordinary building of Notre Dame des Anges, whose foundations were built in the sea, is an amazing example of historical patchwork. The belfry was built during the Middle Age and was used as a warning tower for the harbor of Collioure. It was not until 1684 that today’s nave was added, after Vauban gave the order to break down the old church of Sainte Marie in the historical heart of town in 1672. A new church was built in a Mediterranean Gothic style, although it appears to be very austere from outside, the unusual interior is extremely rich architecturally. The wooden altarpiece of the high altar was carved and covered with gold leaf by Catalan artist Joseph Sunyer. In 1818 the belfry was given its characteristic dome and thus received its final appearance.
Cloître du Couvent des Dominicains XIV
The cloister adjoined the Dominican church; is today the winegrower’s association. It fell victim to illegal art trade and was bought back by the municipality of Collioure in 1992 after it had been discovered in Anglet. On December 19 th, 1997, eleven of its arches were put up in the garden of Parc Pams.
