Lighthouse

The Collioure lighthouse, a quiet sentinel at the harbour entrance

At the end of the jetty, near the Saint-Vincent chapel, a small lighthouse watches over the entrance to Collioure's harbour, surrounded by salt air and the Mediterranean swell. Unassuming, it has to be earned and rewards the walk with an open view over the bay. The Collioure audio-guided tour gladly leads to this outlying point, where the maritime role that shaped the whole town becomes clearer.

A harbour light steeped in history

Collioure has a long and unusual bond with its sea lights: the famous round bell tower of the church was itself originally a medieval lighthouse marking the position of the harbour. The small present-day lighthouse, at the entrance to the channel, continues this long tradition of signals for the sailors and fishermen who made the town prosperous. Along this jagged coast, guiding boats to the shelter of the harbour was never a mere formality.

What to see

The lighthouse itself is modest, but the way to reach it is one of the finest in Collioure: the jetty, the Saint-Vincent chapel and, all around, the open sea. From there, the view unfolds over the harbour, the old town and the iconic bell tower. It is a spot prized in the evening light, when the stones and water take on the warm glow that so inspired the painters of the Côte Vermeille.

Practical information

The lighthouse stands at the end of the jetty that closes Collioure's harbour, next to the Saint-Vincent chapel, reachable on foot from the centre along the seafront. The walk to the end of the breakwater takes a few minutes, over ground that is sometimes uneven and exposed: in rough weather, the end of the jetty can be swept by spray and caution is needed. Access to the lighthouse itself, a technical structure, is generally not open to the public; you mainly enjoy the site and its panorama.

Can you visit the Collioure lighthouse?

The lighthouse is a maritime signalling structure that generally cannot be visited inside; you approach it along the jetty to enjoy the site and the view over the bay.

What is the link between the lighthouse and the church bell tower?

The round bell tower of the church of Notre-Dame-des-Anges was originally a medieval lighthouse; the small jetty lighthouse today continues this long tradition of lights guiding ships into the harbour.

When is the best time to enjoy the lighthouse site?

Late in the day is especially prized: the evening light over the harbour and the bell tower offers one of the finest views of Collioure, preferably in calm weather.