Tour d'Avall

The Tour d'Avall, sentinel of the lower harbour of Collioure

Discreet but steeped in history, the Tour d'Avall stands below the royal castle, on the side of the faubourg and the beach. It is part of the old fortifications that made Collioure a coveted military stronghold. The Collioure audio-guided tour lingers here to recall that the smallest stone tower, in this place, tells centuries of rivalry between France and Spain.

A tower born of border wars

Raised in the sixteenth century to strengthen the harbour's defence, the Tour d'Avall protected the western entrance of the bay and completed the military layout commanded by the royal castle. Its name comes from Catalan: Avall means below, as opposed to the Tour d'Amont, higher up. For a time a customs office, it even appeared in the town's coat of arms, alongside the tower of the Port d'Amont.

What to see

The tower is found in the faubourg, or Port d'Avall, one of the historic quarters of Collioure, which grew around the beach and the fishermen's lanes. The stone outline, in its setting of Catalan façades and boats, makes a much-photographed scene. It is a chance to understand, on the spot, how the town was once organised around its two harbours, that of Amont and that of Avall.

Practical information

The Tour d'Avall stands in the Port d'Avall quarter, below the royal castle, near the beach and reachable on foot from the centre. It is mainly seen from the outside, woven into the fabric of the faubourg, with no ticket office. As the surrounding lanes are narrow and sometimes cobbled, walking remains the best way to enjoy it.

What does the name Avall mean?

Avall means below in Catalan: the Tour d'Avall, set lower down, is thus opposed to the Tour d'Amont, placed higher up, which guarded the other harbour of Collioure.

What was the Tour d'Avall used for?

Raised in the sixteenth century, it protected the western entrance of the harbour and completed the defences of the royal castle; it also served as a customs office and appeared in the town's coat of arms.