Discovery Port Vendres

PORT-VENDRES is a natural harbour nestling on the coast vermeille, with a rich history, from antiquity to today. Allegedly «PYRENE» by some historians, the port owes its name to a Greek temple dedicated to Venus, and bears the nickname «Port of Venus». Later, the port will be variously judged strategic, in particular by VAUBAN, whose works can be seen in the basin and the surrounding area.

https://www.port-vendres.com
http://jeantosti.com/villages2/portvendres.htm

Light is the key word to describe the feeling of this coast that attracted so many artists and was the cradle of fauvism with among others Matisse and Derain from COLLIOURE. Charles Rennie Mackintosh, architect, designer, and painter of the early 20th century particularly liked to paint the landscapes offered by PORT-VENDRES. A thematic walk exists today to trace his work.

http://www.crmackintoshfrance.com
http://www.collioure.fr/fr/art-culture/le-fauvisme

The port is very active. The fishermen work there and the cargo ships unloaded their cargo of fruits. Many yachts and liners stop there. The decor of the wharves is thus in perpetual renewal and full of activities.
A part of the city is out of urbanization, pretending to hike many times, following the coast through Cape BEAR and leading to the other side of the cape on the superb Bay of PAULILLES (classified site) and its protected coves. The hinterland is also rich in paths, lined with stone walls and vines, passing through the hamlet of COSPRONS towards BANYULS or the Tower of the MADELOC, or through the hills of the city towards COLLIOURE, making a stop at Fort SAINT ELME. At every turn, beautiful views, even breathtaking for some.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfkbvKIUz6E
https://www.les-pyrenees-orientales.com/Villages/Paulilles.php

Crossed vines remind us that the region knows how to showcase its gastronomy, with the richness of the sea and the mountains, sometimes on the same plate.
Hobbies are not left behind. The seabed reveals its richness, with many wrecks and the nearby marine reserve of BANYULS. Swims in the Mediterranean, and canoe/kayak hikes are available, as are many other nautical activities.

http://blue-bear.org/en/
https://www.plongee66.com
http://scuba.passion.free.fr/en/01-accueil.php

The region offers a multitude of possibilities of activities, and, why not cross the border and discover the Spanish coast, from Port LA SELVA to CADAQUES through Cap CREU, natural decorations of the work of Salvador DALI.

https://www.salvador-dali.org/en

Tourist and cultural information is available at the reception. The hotel is also 50 metres from the tourist office of PORT-VENDRES.