region » the coast

In under an hour you can reach the Côte Vermeille and the Côte Radieuse.

This part of France has more miles of beach than any other stretch of the western Mediterranean.

It is blessed (or cursed depending upon your outlook) with many resorts and beaches. It also has an ample supply of secluded coves and picturesque bays that are quite quiet even in the tourist season.

North of Perpignan, stretching up to Montpellier is one almost continuous chain of beaches punctuated by inland lagoons (etangs). The sand is perfect and the etangs can give you the feeling of being on a desert island, amongst dunes and flocks of migrating flamingos.

Famous beaches along this stretch are Leucate, Narbonne and Marseillan Plages. A little closer to Montpellier you will find the famous fishing port of Sète. Now boasting a large mariner, Sète lies on a narrow sand spit and is located at the end of the Canal du Midi.

East of Perpignan lie Sainte Marie and Canet Plages.

Working south from Perpignan you'll find St Cyprien Plage, followed by Argèles Plage and then the small village port of Collioure, which is probably the most famous and visited resort on the Côte Vermeille, as well as Port Vendres.

Follow the coast still further south and you'll find that you are not far from Spain at all. Once you pass through Banyuls sur Mer and Cerbère you'll pass over the border and through seaside resorts along the Spanish Mediterranean coast, towards Roses.

Not far from Roses is Cadaques where the Spanish painter Dalì often spent his summer holidays.

This part of the coast is known as the Costa Brava, and has many resorts and small villages as well as a beautiful natural park.

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