"From Collioure to Château de Valmy via the Coastal Path"
CCACVI
COLLIOURE

"From Collioure to Château de Valmy via the Coastal Path"

Fauna
Flora
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"Heritage, Sea, and Wonders!"
A loop between the city of painters and the Château de Valmy, rich in emotions.  
Please note that access to the coves is impossible between Porteils beach and Ouille beach.

5 points of interest

  • Fort Miradoux
    Fort Miradoux - admin66pm
    Cultural heritage

    Fort Miradoux

    In 1669, Vauban who wanted to make Collioure a garrison town, decided to shave the old town and create Fort Miradoux on the site of the old Fort Sainte-Thérèse built around 1540 by Charles V. This fort because of its location was of paramount importance in the defense of the castle. Today, Fort Miradoux, owned by the Army has become the National Commando Training Center (CNEC).
  • Plage de l'ouille
    Plage de l'ouille - Aurélie Rubio
    Panorama

    Ouille Beach

    The beach of Ouille, between Collioure and Racou, is a real paradise. This confidential beach is mostly frequented by locals or customers of neighboring campsites. With its small pebbles, it extends about 100 meters below the cliffs of the Côte Vermeille. This beach, very quiet even in high season, however, is not monitored and parking to access is quite far. In short, a great place to be away from the crowd.
  • Aurélie Rubio
    Panorama

    Criques de Porteils

    The largest cove in Argelès, stretching 180 meters, Porteils Cove isn't the easiest to find. Many smaller coves are scattered throughout the area, with access varying depending on the season. Generally, you’ll find peace there, lulled by the waves of turquoise waters.
  • CCACVI
    History

    Un petit recoin catalan : « Le Racou »

    The term "Racou" means "nook" in Catalan. Located between rocky coast and sandy beach, it is one of the typical places of the Argelesian coastline. The first installations of "demountable" wooden cabins go back to the 1920s but will be destroyed during the German occupation. In the 1960s, the Racou already has three lines of houses. This place is almost a village in its own right. Through its tiny alleyways floats a retro atmosphere where there is good walking.
  • Ludovic Recha
    Tourism Office

    Sport and nature center

    The center welcomes you at the entrance of the Valmy Municipal Park, at the foot of the Albères massif. You will find information about various circuit options and outdoor activities. Brochures, maps, and physical reception for workshop sessions are available. It is also a place to raise awareness about the exceptional biodiversity of the town of Argelès-sur-Mer.
    Phone number: +33 4 68 81 47 25.

Description

  1. From the Tourist Office, facing the bay, head left towards the famous bell tower of the Church of Notre-Dame-des-Anges.  
  2. Before reaching the church, take the left-hand staircase that leads up to the streets of La Paix and Mirador. At the top of the latter, turn around to catch a final glimpse of the bell tower before continuing. Along the way, notice the panels for the "Fauvism Trail" featuring works by Matisse and Derain.  
  3. Turn left and head towards Argelès-sur-Mer, using the sidewalk on the right after the roundabout. Be aware that the coast is steep at the start of this hike, making for a good warm-up for the rest of the route.  
  4. At the parking lot by the stadium, turn right, cross the parking lot, and head towards the coastal path. Turn left at a right angle, passing the Fort Miradoux (home to the French National Commando Training Center).
  5.  The path follows the Vauban fortifications, offering breathtaking views all the way to the cove of l'Ouille.
  6.  At the end of the beach, take the staircase that leads to a newly renovated section of the path behind the "Criques de Porteils" campsite.  
  7. Just after the campsite, turn left onto the coastal trail to enjoy the first views of the Porteils coves, with the sandy beaches of Argelès-sur-Mer already visible in the distance.  
  8. The coastal trail then begins a sharp ascent before finishing with a slate staircase at the entrance to the Racou hamlet. Cross through this hamlet.
  9.  At the roundabout, turn left and follow the road to the end. Take a right onto the D114 cycle path. Cross under the tunnel, then begin the climb towards Château de Valmy, passing through the vineyards of the estate.  
  10. Enjoy the panoramic views and the exceptional tranquility of this site before beginning your return to Collioure. Just past the roundabout, a wooden footbridge appears on the right, inviting you to continue through the shaded forest on a hilly path that skirts the back of the hamlet, offering lovely viewpoints among the vegetation. Join the coastal path by the paved track and continue along the route you took earlier. (The return can be more direct, in which case you can follow the SNCF track via the path rather than the beach, reaching the cove of l'Ouille.)  
  11. Continue along the coastal path back to Collioure.
  • Departure : Tourist Office of Collioure
  • Arrival : Tourist Office of Collioure
  • Towns crossed : COLLIOURE and ARGELES SUR MER

Altimetric profile

Recommandations

Bring plenty of water, sturdy walking shoes, a windbreaker, and a hat. 
Check the weather before setting out.  
Respect the work of local farmers.  
Avoid ascending to the tower in strong winds.  

You enjoy nature, you love it, take care of it...

You are currently walking along a hiking trail, where regular waste collection points are provided for your convenience. Out of respect for this exceptional space, used by tens of thousands of hikers and walkers every month, we encourage you to dispose of all your waste (glass, paper, food scraps, etc.) at these collection points, as well as any waste you may unfortunately come across during your walk. 

Through these simple yet essential actions, let's keep this site clean, just as nature has graciously provided it to us.

Transport

Bus 1€

Access and parking

D 914

Parking :

Glacis Parking