La Glorieta

The Glorieta, a Moorish belvedere above the bay

Perched on a rocky promontory overlooking the bay, the Glorieta is an elegant Moorish-style pavilion, built in the early twentieth century. Designed as a place of contemplation, in the spirit of romantic belvederes, it offers one of the finest viewpoints in Collioure. The Collioure audio-guided tour is fond of this airy stop, where the town reveals itself at a single glance.

The former smoking room of Senator Pams

The Glorieta was part of the estate of Senator Gaston Pams, whose neighbouring villa became the Museum of Modern Art. According to local tradition, the pavilion served as a smoking room and a privileged observation point for the villa's guests, who came to admire the bay. It dates from a time when Collioure was becoming a destination prized by artists and strollers in search of light, and reflects the taste of the period for Oriental exoticism.

What to see

The appeal of the Glorieta lies in its Oriental outline and above all in its panorama: from the promontory, the view takes in the bay, the harbour, the bell tower and the rooftops of Collioure. It is reached through the park, on the path that climbs towards the Cortina Mill, making it an ideal stop during a walk on the heights. It is a first balcony over the bay before reaching the mill, higher up.

Practical information

The Glorieta lies in the park, on the path leading from the Pams garden to the Cortina Mill, about twenty minutes' walk from the centre of Collioure. Access is on foot, by an uphill path that is sometimes uneven: sturdy shoes are recommended and the route is poorly suited to pushchairs. The belvedere is freely accessible, with no ticket office; it is enjoyed mainly from the outside, for the view.

What is the Glorieta of Collioure?

It is an early twentieth-century Moorish-style pavilion, perched on a promontory, which served as a smoking room and belvedere for Senator Pams's estate and offers a superb view over the bay.

How do you get to the Glorieta?

You climb up on foot through the park, on the path linking the Pams garden to the Cortina Mill, about twenty minutes from the centre; the trail is steep, so sturdy shoes are advised.