ARGELÈS-sur-MER

Fly into Carcassonne, Perpignan or Girona airport

 

Argeles-sur-Mer is at the end of a long sandy strip of Mediterranean coastline that runs all the way from Montpellier. Just south of Argeles, the landscape changes dramatically as the Pyrenean mountain range tumbles into the sea in a chaos of rocky cliffs and crazily-angled vineyards. It is thus the perfect base for lounging on the beach as well as exploring the rocky coastline , its fishing villages and the wild interior of Catalonia.

 

The resort itself is a lively Catalan village with a full range of amenities: supermarkets, banks, cafés and restaurants, clubs and a Casino. It gives on to a 7 kilometre strip of fine sandy beach where you can either get away from the crowds or join in the organized activities for children.

 

A few kilometres to the south lie the picturesque fishing villages of Collioure and Banyuls where the 'Fauvist' painters used to spend their summers capturing the light off sea and mountain. As their leading light, Henri Matisse, put it "No sky in all France is more blue than that of Collioure". Picasso, Bracque, Derain and Dali all painted here. Salvador Dali's home village of Cadaquès is just a bit further on, on the spanish side of the border. The Dali museum in Figeruas is also worth visiting, especially if you are taking the plane at Girona.

 

We recommend flying into Carcassonne, Girona (Ryanair) or Perpignan (Flybe, BMI, Ryanair) and we will arrange a hire car for you at the airport.