Church of Notre-Dame-des-Anges

The church of Notre-Dame-des-Anges, the round bell tower of Collioure

Almost with its feet in the Mediterranean, the church of Notre-Dame-des-Anges has become the very image of Collioure. Its round bell tower crowned with a dome is mirrored in the bay and appears in most photographs of the town. The Collioure audio-guided tour gladly pauses before it, for few buildings sum up so well the bond between the Catalan town, the sea and its maritime history.

From a medieval lighthouse to a baroque church

The church was built at the end of the seventeenth century, between 1684 and 1691, after the old church in the upper town had been demolished for the needs of the fortifications. To save time, the builders reused a former medieval beacon tower, surrounded by the sea on almost every side, which they turned into a bell tower. It is this lighthouse past that explains the tower's distinctive round shape, unique along the coast.

What to see

Inside, the church preserves remarkable gilded baroque altarpieces, among the most admired in Roussillon, which contrast with the plainness of the exterior beaten by the sea spray. Outside, the apse set on the water and the round bell tower form the scene found on so many paintings and postcards. A curiosity many overlook: this much-photographed tower first served to guide ships long before it rang for services.

Practical information

The church of Notre-Dame-des-Anges stands at the water's edge, at the end of Boulevard du Boramar, in the heart of Collioure and very close to the harbour. It is reached on foot from the centre, along the seafront. Entry to churches is generally free, but opening hours may vary with the season and services; occasional works may also restrict access, so it is best to enquire before visiting. The forecourt, level with the promenade, is easy to reach.

Why is the Collioure bell tower round?

Because it is a former medieval beacon tower, that is to say a lighthouse, reused as a bell tower when the church was built at the end of the seventeenth century.

When was the church built?

The present church was built between 1684 and 1691, replacing the old church of the upper town destroyed for the fortifications.

What is there to see inside the church?

Above all you can admire rich gilded baroque altarpieces, counted among the finest in Roussillon, in a plain setting open to the sea.