Côte Vermeille and the little yellow train

Route description

From Perpignan head south to the Côte Vermeille, where the Pyrenees meet the sea. Collioure’s harbour, church tower and castle inspired Matisse and Derain in 1905; the D914 then winds on to Banyuls, known for its sweet wine and terraced vineyards.

Turn inland through Argelès and the Tech valley to Céret, a town of plane trees, cherries and a modern art museum, with a medieval bridge over the river. Cross north to the Têt valley and stop at the Orgues d’Ille-sur-Têt, earth pillars carved by erosion.

The N116 climbs to Villefranche-de-Conflent, a walled town fortified by Vauban, with Fort Libéria above. It is also the start of the yellow train, which crosses the Pont Séjourné and the Gisclard bridge on its way to the high plateau of the Cerdagne.

Mont-Louis, a second Vauban citadel at 1,600 m, has a solar furnace to visit. Parking in Collioure is very tight in summer, so leave vehicles at the edge of town or come in spring, when the Canigou is still white with snow.