Colliure

We have chosen this place because one of us was there a few time ago and she fall in love with it, so when we had to make a post about one place in the world we thought that this could be a good and interesting idea. 

1.Location and demography Cotlliure is a small, picturesque, town located in the French Languedoc-Roussillon, where is located at forty kilometers from La Junquera and thirty from Perpiñán. The population (in 2009) was 2.940 inhabitants, and it is still increasing. However, it seems necessary to say that it has (because of the situation) aspects in common with Catalonia.

2. History and curiosities It was a very important place because it comunicates France and Catalunya, so in the past all the Spanish treaders had to pay if they wanted to go to France. But in 1216 they put a fee in order to bring their products to France. That fee guaranteed their sail security in Vallespir. This is the village where Antonio Machado lived his exile. He died there too. In fact, Collioure has been a refuge for artists who were fleeing from war and for the ones who wanted for inspiration, such as Matisse and Derain. Colliure has a lot of art and poetry tradition. Finally, It has been a fishing place and this village is known for its anchovys too.

3. Art and traditions Because of the landscape, Collioure has always inspirated some artists. Painters such as Matisse or Derain started there their neo impressionism pointillist pictures.                                                                                  

                                                                   ANDRÉ DERAIN

HENRI MATISSE

- Sant Vicent’s celebration: The main festivity is the “Sant Vicent” celebration that is from 14th to 18th of August. In the 16th of August a maritime procession take place in order to celebrate the arrived of the Sant Vicent’s heirloom at the 1701. Eventhought, in 1905 this representation was cancelled because of the establishment of a law which separated the church and the state. 

-Prix International de Littérature Antonio Machado: This award has been given since 1979 bianually until 2007. Nowadays, it is celebrate every year and admits works in catalan, spanish or french, the winner is announced in February in Cotlliure.

Places to visit and typical dishes:  The old neighborhood Mouré & Château Royal

The neighborhood is made up of narrow streets with colorful houses, shops and art galleries, which keep the charm of the French Riviera and the Vieux Port or Old Port. Chateau Royal is the summer residence of the kings of Majorca and Aragon, which was built by the Templars in the twelfth century. 

Typichal dishes French cuisine is influenced by the Mediterranean diet, and in fact practically the same. There people eat a lot of fish with different sauces, vegetables and meats. A meal that is known there is the variety of ice cream in the tents: focus on the streets and the dock. In the seafront there are the most expensive bars: la Balette, l’Ambroisie, Chez Simone, La Trelle, Le Copacabane, where good seafood is served.

OTHER THINGS TO DO THERE: In collioure you can also do a lot of sport activities such as: hiking in the mountains, swimming in the sea, hiking kayaking, biking, rafting, paragliding and climbing.

Conclutions: We could say that Cotlliure is a beautiful village located in France, with influence of Catalonia. It has a lot of monuments to visit like The old neighborhood Mouré or Château Royal. Furthemore it has been an artistic place and a big source of inspiration for painters or writers. For all this things we think that Colliure is a very interesting place in the world!