2016-08-26 Port de Sete to Collioure, Languedoc-Roussillon, France

The pier where we spent the past couple of nights in the port of Sete

We have an early departure from the pier where we spent the past couple of nights tied alongside in the very pleasant, unpretentious port of Sete

An early start for some of the small fishing boats this morning too

Also an early start for some of the small fishing boats this morning

We make our way towards the entrance to the Sete port

As we leave the port and head south west we pass the restaurant beside the cemetery where we dined in the previous evening

As we leave the port and head south west we pass the amazing restaurant beside the cemetery where we dined last night

Looking back to busy working harbour of Sete

Looking back to the Sete harbour with a cruise ship approaching

A fabulous sunrise this morning

Continuing past familiar canal towns of Agde, Beziers, Narbonne and Port la Nouvelle, which we intend visiting again in the future, we make our way south

All of a sudden we find ourselves in a very deep sea mist which we had for several nautical miles

All of a sudden we find ourselves in a very deep sea mist which we experienced for several nautical miles

Fortunately with radar we felt fairly safe as we were able to spot nearby vessels, of which quite a few were drifting fishing boats

Fortunately having radar and other electronics we felt fairly safe as we were able to spot nearby vessels, of which quite a few were drifting fishing boats

Once the mist cleared we made our way to the town of ancient town of Collioure

Once the mist cleared we made our way to the ancient town of Collioure, just north of the larger Port Vendres

As we approach the spectacular looking old town we could see a castle behind the breakwater

As we approach the spectacular looking old town, we could see a castle behind the old breakwater

In the distrance perched high on a hill overlooking Collioure is a quite substantial fort

Arriving in the stunning port we realised anchoring was not allowed and only mooring buoys were the method of visiting Collioure by boat

The walkway on the breakwater at the entrance to the port is a popular place to come to get the best visa of the town and out to sea

Between the castle and the breakwater there are two sheltered beaches which are very busy with today's high temperatures

Between the castle and the breakwater there are two very sheltered beaches which were very busy with the high temperatures experienced today

As no moorings were free we began to depart the port when we spotted a boat about to leave

Once we picked up the black mooring buoy, of which there is only 11 available, it was not long before a young man from the Capitainerie arrived to collect the mooring fee

Once we picked up the black mooring buoy, of which there is only 11 available in the bay, it was not long before a friendly young man from the Capitainerie arrived to collect the mooring fee

We were thrilled to be moored in the beautiful bay with amazing 360 degree views

We were thrilled to be moored in this beautiful port with amazing 360 degree views

The castle called the Château Royal de Collioure, stands prominently in the centre of the old port

The large castle which is called the Château Royal de Collioure, stands prominently in the centre of the old port

We also have a beautiful vista from the boat of Fort Saint-Elme high up behind the town

Restaurants around the waters edge seem to be well patronised today

As some wind was forecast overnight we were pleased to be on a safe mooring in the harbour

Time to head ashore by dinghy to have a look around the town

Traditional fishing boats lie along the shore near the castle

The colourful Collioure Catalan fishing boats have featured in many paintings over the centuries, even by famous artists such as Henri Matisse and André Derain who have spent time in the town

Arriving ashore in the delightful quaint old town

Collioure has a tiny population of around 3000 people however during the summer months there are many visitors

A small tourist train was about to leave so we jumped aboard as there we a couple of seats available

A small tourist train was about to leave the main square, so we jumped aboard as there were a couple of free seats available

It was a bonus to discover that the train actually takes you high up to the fort on the hill and down into the next town of Port Vendres and then back again all in an hour!!

Looking down we can see the Tangaroa in the harbour

Looking down over Collioure we can see the Tangaroa in the harbour

The hills behind Collioure are covered with grapevines, as this is very productive wine growing region of southern France

The train takes us on a lovely journey on dirt tracks high up in the hills

The train takes us on a lovely journey on dirt tracks high up into the hills

We stop for photos at Fort Saint-Elme on top of of the hill behind Collioure

Fort Saint-Elme is a military fort built between 1538 and 1552 by Charles V and overlooks both Collioure and Port Vendres in the next bay

The train continues on to Port Vendres on the other side of the hill and makes it’s way down to the port

We have a photo stop in Port Vendres for short while

We have a photo stop in the picturesque Port Vendres for short while

Port Vendres is a commercial deep harbour port which can take freighters and even cruise ships

Port Vendres is a commercial port with a naturally deep harbour which can take freighters and even cruise ships

Colourful old fishing cottages line the old harbour. Today the fishing industry is still strong in the town

Colourful old fisherman cottages line the old fishing harbour. To this day the fishing industry is still very strong in the town

The Dome of Port Vendres was built in the early 1800’s and was originally built as a hotel for foreigners and then later housed military govenors

As we head back to Collioure the view down the hills to the town were absolutely spectacular

As we ascend to the town we catch a peak of the Tangaroa through the trees beside the road

As we ascend to the town we catch a peak of the Tangaroa in the bay, beaches and chapel in the background, through the trees beside the road

Many restaurants line the old moat by the castle

An artist at work creating his masterpiece

An artist at work creating his own masterpiece or memory of a wonderful visit to Collioure

At the end of the breakwater Chapelle St Vincent is a very popular spot to visit

At the end of the breakwater is Chapelle St Vincent which is obviously a very popular spot to visit

Good views of the harbour from the western side of the town

Tonight we opt for an early dinner at L’Insolite in the old part of the town

Ric with feathered friend nearby, takes a table on the side, nicely sheltered from the wind overlooking the water

Ric with feathered friend nearby, takes a table on the side, nicely sheltered from the strong wind overlooking the water

A great view of the Château Royal and the beaches from our table

Tonight we both enjoy the fresh turbot with fabulous chips and vegetables

Ric could not resist the huge crepe for dessert which was served with icecream

Ric could not resist the huge crepe for dessert which was served with lemon, sugar and icecream

As the sun disappears we head back to the Tangaroa

We enjoy a nice refreshing glass of bubbles as the temperature was still very balmy tonight

We enjoy a nice refreshing glass of bubbles as the temperature was still very balmy when we got back to the boat

Leave a Reply Cancel reply