guide
This guide lists the finest beaches of the Pyrénées-Orientales along the Côte Vermeille and Roussillon: the large family-friendly beach at Argelès-sur-Mer, Collioure's Boramar beach immortalised by Matisse, the sheltered coves of Port-Vendres, Sana beach and its marine reserve at Banyuls-sur-Mer, the wild coves of Cerbère, and Lydia beach at Canet-en-Roussillon. Each spot is detailed with access, parking fees and practical tips for organising a seaside stay in the Pyrénées-Orientales.
The Eastern Pyrénées beaches are among the most spectacular in France – this department at the extreme south of the Vermillion Coast concentrates 120 km of beaches between Argelès-sur-Mer and Cerbère with unique landscapes in France: rocky creeks of the Vermillion coast, beaches of pebbles nestled between red slate cliffs, long beaches of fine sand of Roussillon and preserved coves of the Littoral Conservancy. The Eastern Pyrénées beaches offer extraordinary diversity – from crystal-clear waters for swimming in the creek of Paulilles Cove to the large family beach of Canet-en-Roussillon, passing through the Boramar Beach of Collioure (painted by Matisse and Derain in 1905) and the Sana Beach of Banyuls. This complete guide to the Eastern Pyrénées beaches reveals secret addresses, real prices and practical advice that usual guides omit – for unforgettable swimming vacations in the Eastern Pyrénées.
Argelès-sur-Mer is the largest seaside resort of the Eastern Pyrénées – its 7 km of fine sand beach concentrates each summer hundreds of thousands of vacationers from across Europe who come for swimming in the turquoise waters of Roussillon. The large Argelès beach (monitored June-September, rescue post every 500 m) is ideal for families – its fine sand and progressively deeper waters make it one of the Eastern Pyrénées beaches safest for children.
The Racou Beach (Argelès Racou beach) is the most charming creek of Argelès-sur-Mer – located 2 km from Argelès center, this beach of pebbles and sand surrounded by colorful fishermen’s houses is one of the Eastern Pyrénées beaches most authentic and least crowded in the commune. Racou beach is also the starting point for snorkel walks in the shallow waters of the creek – gorgonians, octopuses and Mediterranean fish are visible from 1 m depth. The Bourdigou Beach (Bourdigou beach), at the northern end of Argelès, is a 100% naturist beach – fine sand, dunes and coastal vegetation over 2 km in the Eastern Pyrénées (free access, 5 €/day parking).
What other guides don’t mention: Massane beach, 3 km north of Argelès toward Canet-Roussillon, is the least known beach in the sector – its shallow waters, monitored swimming and free access make it the secret of locals in the Eastern Pyrénées. Come in September: Argelès sand is immense, waters still at 24°C and the beach nearly empty.
Collioure is the jewel of Eastern Pyrénées beaches – this fishing village of the Vermillion coast with its port of colorful boats and Notre-Dame des Anges Church (dame anges church) inspired Matisse and Derain who invented Fauvism on its beaches in 1905. The Boramar Beach (Boramar beach) is the most famous of Collioure – this small beach of pebbles and sand in the shadow of the royal castle is located in the heart of the Collioure port and offers an iconic view of Notre-Dame des Anges Church (dame anges church) and its pink bell tower reflected in the waters of the Mediterranean.
The Saint-Vincent Beach (saint vincent beach) is the second large beach of Collioure – located on the other side of the Royal port, this beach of fine pebbles offers swimming in deeper and calmer waters than Boramar Beach. The l’Ouille beach, 1 km south of Collioure on the road to Port-Vendres, is a pebble creek accessible only on foot (15 min from Collioure) – its exceptionally clear waters make it the Eastern Pyrénées Beach favorite of snorkel divers.
Claire’s advice: Arrive at Boramar Beach in Collioure before 9am in July-August – the Collioure port fills with tourists from 10am and parking spaces (6 €/day) saturate. The morning grazing light on Boramar Beach and the dame anges church is the most beautiful light of Roussillon for photos – this is why Matisse and Derain painted here at dawn. The Collioure Train parking (1 km from the port, 4 €/day) is the most accessible for reaching Collioure Eastern Pyrénées beaches on foot.
Port-Vendres is the most active fishing port of the Eastern Pyrénées – its morning auction (Monday-Friday, 7am-9am, free access) is one of the most authentic experiences of the Vermillion coast. The two treasures of Port-Vendres for Eastern Pyrénées beaches are its two preserved coves by the Littoral Conservancy: Paulilles Cove and Sainte-Catherine Cove.
The Paulilles Cove (paulilles cove, port vendres cove) is the most beautiful beach of Port-Vendres – this cove of sand and pebbles preserved by the Littoral Conservancy is located 3 km south of Port-Vendres center (pedestrian access only from the coastal path, 20 min from the port). Paulilles Cove also houses the former Nobel dynamite site (19th century) completely rehabilitated as a natural park – swimming in its turquoise waters between red slate rocks is one of the most beautiful experiences of Eastern Pyrénées beaches.
The Sainte-Catherine Cove (sainte catherine cove, port vendres cove) is a more intimate creek 1 km north of Port-Vendres port – its clear waters, its sand and pebbles make it an ideal beach for swimming in snorkel in the Eastern Pyrénées (free access, parking at Port-Vendres port).
Banyuls-sur-Mer is the most preserved seaside resort of the Vermillion coast – its pebble and sand beaches are bordered by AOC Banyuls vineyards and coastal hiking trails that make Banyuls a unique destination in the Eastern Pyrénées.
The Sana Beach (sana beach, sana beach banyuls) is the large central beach of Banyuls-sur-Mer – located in the heart of the seaside resort, this sand and pebble beach is monitored from June to September and offers swimming in the warmest waters of the Eastern Pyrénées (25-26°C in August). Sana Beach is also the starting point of Banyuls underwater reserve (France‘s first marine reserve, created in 1974) – swimming in snorkel from Sana Beach allows observation of groupers, gorgonians and barracudas in protected waters.
The Mar Estang (mar estang beach, mar beach) is the wildest creek of Banyuls-sur-Mer – located 2 km south of the center by the coastal trail, this coastal lagoon and its pebble beach are managed by the Littoral Conservancy and accessible only on foot (20 min). Mar Estang offers swimming in exceptionally transparent waters, pristine seabeds and rare solitude among Eastern Pyrénées beaches in July-August. Mar Estang beach is the secret address that all Banyuls locals jealously guard.
Banyuls-Port-Vendres also share Balette beach (between the two communes) – a little-frequented pebble beach with clear waters and a view of the terraced vineyards of the Eastern Pyrénées.
Cerbère is the southernmost commune of the Eastern Pyrénées – this last village of France before the Spanish border houses the most wild Eastern Pyrénées beaches of the Vermillion coast. The main Cerbère beach is a pebble beach located in Cerbère port – its calm waters and pristine seabeds make it a destination prized by divers and snorkel enthusiasts in the Eastern Pyrénées.
The Peyrefite Beach (peyrefite beach, cerbere peyrefite beach, peyrefite cerbere beach) is the most beautiful beach of Cerbère – located 1 km north of Cerbère by the coastal path, this pebble creek surrounded by red slate cliffs offers deep blue waters and swimming in complete solitude – accessible in 20 min of walking from Cerbère port.
The Terrimbo Beach (terrimbo beach, terrimbo cerbere beach) is an even more isolated creek north of Peyrefite Beach – accessible only on foot from Cerbère (40 min one way) or from Banyuls (1h30 by coastal trail), this pebble and sand beach in the Eastern Pyrénées is one of the most virgin beaches of the entire Vermillion coast. Its crystal-clear waters and guaranteed solitude make it a paradise for swimming and snorkel off the beaten path.
Canet-en-Roussillon is the large seaside resort of Roussillon north of the Eastern Pyrénées – its 12 km of fine sand beach, its 15,000 port rings and its summer activities make it the most frequented swimming destination in the department. The Lydia Beach (lydia beach, canet roussillon) is the most famous beach of Canet – its name comes from the Lydia liner deliberately stranded on the beach in 1967, now a mythical bar-nightclub on the sand beach of Roussillon.
The campgrounds of the Eastern Pyrénées offer aquatic parks with heated pools in a setting of pines and vineyards of Roussillon – a few kilometers from the most beautiful Eastern Pyrénées beaches and creeks of the Vermillion coast. A campground stay in the Eastern Pyrénées allows you to explore all the beaches: Boramar Beach of Collioure (Matisse and Derain), Paulilles Cove of Port-Vendres (Littoral Conservancy), Sana Beach of Banyuls (marine reserve), Peyrefite Beach and Terrimbo Beach of Cerbère, Racou Beach and Bourdigou Beach of Argelès, and Lydia Beach of Canet-en-Roussillon. The campgrounds of Argelès-sur-Mer are best located in the Eastern Pyrénées – 500 m from sand beaches and 15-20 min from Collioure and Port-Vendres by coastal road.
The finest beaches in the Pyrénées-Orientales are: Boramar beach in Collioure (Notre-Dame-des-Anges church, Matisse and Derain, pebbles and sand), Paulilles cove near Port-Vendres (Conservatoire du littoral coastal reserve), Sana beach in Banyuls (marine reserve, snorkelling gear, turquoise waters), Peyrefite beach in Cerbère (wild cove, pebbles) and Racou beach in Argelès (sand and pebbles). Mar Estang beach in Banyuls is the most secret of the Pyrénées-Orientales beaches - accessible on foot only, with crystal-clear waters and untouched seabed.
Boramar beach is Collioure's emblematic beach - located at the foot of the royal castle and facing the Notre-Dame-des-Anges church, this pebble-and-sand beach is the one Matisse and Derain painted in 1905, giving birth to Fauvism. Boramar beach is the most photographed beach on the Côte Vermeille - its Catalan fishing boats in the harbour and blue waters form the most iconic scenery in Roussillon. Arrive before 9am to find a parking spot (€6/day).
Paulilles cove is the most unspoilt cove in the Pyrénées-Orientales - located 3 km south of Port-Vendres, this sand-and-pebble cove belongs to the Conservatoire du littoral coastal reserve and is only reachable on foot (coastal path, 20 min). Its turquoise waters and preserved seabed (snorkelling gear recommended) make it an exceptional Pyrénées-Orientales beach. It's also home to the Nobel dynamite museum (free entry).
The beaches of Banyuls-sur-Mer are: Sana beach (seaside resort, sand and pebbles, lifeguarded swimming, starting point for the marine reserve), Mar Estang beach (wild cove reachable on foot, crystal-clear waters, Conservatoire du littoral) and La Balette beach (between Banyuls and Port-Vendres, pebbles, little-visited). Banyuls-Port-Vendres are the towns with the most wild Pyrénées-Orientales beaches on the Côte Vermeille.
Yes, the Pyrénées-Orientales offer numerous 3- to 5-star campsites with water parks and heated pools - particularly in Argelès-sur-Mer, Canet-en-Roussillon and around Collioure. These campsites are ideally located to enjoy all the Pyrénées-Orientales beaches: Boramar beach (Collioure), Paulilles cove (Port-Vendres), Sana beach (Banyuls), Peyrefite beach and Terrimbo beach (Cerbère), Racou beach and Bourdigou beach (Argelès), and Lydia beach (Canet-Roussillon).
