This past summer, I spent one of the most magical weeks of my life in the South of France. But not the south of France you’re thinking of. This isn’t Nice, or Cannes or even Saint Tropez. This is a secret part of the South of France that is still an undiscovered gem, and one in which I was almost ready to gatekeep. But since I’m all about spreading the word and trying to bring people to other places around the world, outside of the big-name locations, it feels almost wrong not to shine a light on this spot! So, without any more buildup, let me introduce you to Banyuls-sur-Mer.
Banyuls-sur-Mer is located within the Pyrénées-Orientales department, right on the French Mediterranean coast. The town is home to only 4,583 people, but during the summer, the population roughly triples with tourists and visitors who make Banyuls-sur-Mer their summer holiday home. An escape from the bustling big city centers of Spain and France. Banyuls-sur-Mer is all steep cliffs and layered vineyards, opening onto small, bright blue coves with some of the clearest water you will ever see. It is the kind of place you go to swim, drink local wine, and sink into long evenings under Mediterranean sunsets.
- How to get to Banyuls-sur-Mer
- Tips for Staying in Banyuls
- History of Banylus
- The Best Beaches around Banyuls-sur-Mer
- The Vineyards of Banyuls
- Wine Tastings in Banyuls
- Market Day in Banyuls
- Eating in Banyuls, A French & Catalan Combination
- Where to Eat in Banyuls-Sur-Mer
- In the Footsteps of Aristide
- Pétanque in Banyuls-sur-Mer
- Walking the Coastal Path Sentier du Littoral
- Day Trips from Banyuls
How to get to Banyuls-sur-Mer
Banyuls feels remote when you are there, but getting in is pretty simple. Most routes funnel through Perpignan, then fan out toward the sea.
Coming by train
High-speed or mainline trains bring you into Perpignan from cities like Paris, Lyon, Toulouse or Barcelona. From Perpignan, you switch to a small regional TER train that follows the coastline all the way to Banyuls-sur-Mer. The ride is short, usually around half an hour, and the views get better the closer you get to the border. But beware, even in high season, the train only runs a few times a day to Banyuls.
Coming by bus
The regional bus network along this part of the coast is simple but useful. liO buses run between Perpignan and the villages on the shore, including Banyuls-sur-Mer. The bus takes longer than the train, roughly an hour and a bit, but the route is scenic, and the price is low (only 1 euro). The main route, line 540, runs between Cerbère and Perpignan, making it an easy and affordable way to travel along the coast or head inland. There is also a local connection, line 546, linking Banyuls directly with Cerbère. In town, stops are conveniently located at Les Elmes, Les Arcades, the Tourist Office, and Troc Pinell. For the most up-to-date timetable, check out the tourism website or go to the central Tourist Office in the Old Port.
Coming by car
Driving gives you a stronger sense of the landscape. From the A9 motorway, you turn off toward the sea, then follow the local coastal road that winds above small ports and rocky coves. Terraced vineyards rise on one side, and the Mediterranean spreads out on the other. It is beautiful but quite twisty, so you go slowly.
Inside Banyuls, streets narrow, and parking starts to matter. There are signed car parks around the station area and near the beach, plus a few smaller lots dotted around town. In the peak of summer, spaces close to the sea fill quickly, and you may end up leaving the car a little farther back and walking in. Outside of July and August, I find it much calmer.
Where to Stay in Banyuls?
I was lucky enough to stay at a friend of a friend’s rental apartment, and I loved this experience! There are hundreds of rentals available on sites like Airbnb and Vrbo where you can find the perfect little pied-à-terre for yourself and your travelling crew during your stay in Banyuls. Having a place that felt like mine, cooking with whatever was fresh from the market, and settling into a rhythm that felt like a true home away from home was what made the trip feel really special.
Hotels
If you’d rather have a hotel room, where the staff can take care of the housekeeping for you to really give yourself a break from the daily grind, there are lots of great options in the area.
I have to give a shout-out to LA CASA DINA since this spot was my favourite place for dinner, and the hotel staff were just as kind and welcoming as the restaurant staff! Rooms have beautiful views over the water, and can be as cheap as €55/night for rooms with shared bathroom, but private bedrooms. Simple but just what you need for a place to rest your head after a full day out at the beach and on the town.
Le Clos Saint André is a bed and breakfast, located just up the hillside. Le Clos Saint André feels more like being welcomed into a private home than checking into a hotel. It’s a small, family-run guesthouse set just above the centre of Banyuls, close enough to walk to the sea, but slightly tucked back so it stays calm and quiet. The rooms are simple but each have good light, comfortable beds and private bathrooms and run about €135/night. Some open onto terraces or gardens, others have little sitting areas where you can read or linger with a glass of something local.
If you want to splash out a little bit more, consider staying at Côté Thalasso. This hotel sits on the hillside overlooking the bay, with the Mediterranean stretched out in front of you from almost every angle. The building is modern and open, designed around the view. Many rooms have balconies or terraces facing the sea, so mornings start with blue water and shifting light, and evenings end with slow sunsets and the sound of wind moving across the hills. What really sets this place apart is the spa. This is a true thalassotherapy centre, built around warm seawater pools, jets, hammam, sauna, and treatment rooms. Staying here really feels like a place to relax and unwind!
Tips for Staying in Banyuls
One small thing that’s worth knowing before you book any hotel or rental, and I say this from slightly aching calves, is that parts of Banyuls are accessible via sets of stairs. A lot of them. The village is built on steep folds of land where the mountains tumble into the sea, so many hotels, guesthouses, and rentals sit above the waterfront, connected by long stone staircases and winding stepped lanes. It’s beautiful. Views open up in layers. But it also means that “five minutes from the beach” can involve a serious climb back up in the heat, groceries in hand, sandals suddenly feeling like a bad life choice. To be honest, if mobility is a concern, or if you just don’t love vertical living, it’s worth prioritizing places closer to the port and promenade.
It’s also worth knowing that some rentals and small hotels in Banyuls don’t have air conditioning, and in high summer, that can make a real difference. July and August are hot, and even stone buildings can hold onto the heat at night. Open windows and sea breezes help, but if you’re sensitive to warmth or value good sleep, it’s a good idea to double-check for air conditioning before you book.
A note about August Seasonal closures
August in France is when the country truly takes a break. Many small, family-run businesses close completely for their annual holidays, often for a week or two (sometimes even all month!) at a time. In a town like Banyuls, that can mean a noticeable number of cafés, bakeries, and restaurants you might expect to be open are actually shut, with handwritten fermeture annuelle signs on the doors.
Even though it’s peak season for visitors, you may find fewer choices than usual, especially around mid-August and the August 15 holiday. It’s not a problem, just something to plan for. Be flexible, have a couple of backup options, and remember that in France, summer is meant to be enjoyed by everyone, including the people who live and work there.
History of Banylus
Despite being such a small town, Banyuls-sur-Mer has a long and rich history! The first permanent settlement began higher in the hills during the early Middle Ages. From the 8th and 9th centuries, under the rule of Charlemagne and his successors, land was gradually cleared and cultivated as part of a wider effort to populate and defend this border region of the Frankish kingdom. Farmers who worked and protected the land were eventually granted full ownership. Over time, the community expanded downward toward the coast, finally forming a true seaside village by the 15th century.
For centuries, Banyuls belonged to the Catalan world. It passed between the Kingdoms of Aragon, Majorca, and Castile, and its language, culture, and wine traditions remain deeply Catalan in spirit. In 1659, the Treaty of the Pyrenees officially made Roussillon, and Banyuls with it, part of France and Banyuls suddenly became a border town. This transformed the city into a centre of smuggling for nearly two centuries, earning it the nickname “the Smugglers’ Republic.” Wine, salt, tobacco, and cloth moved quietly across the frontier by sea and mountain paths, perhaps why this town is still famous today for its delicious excesses.
The Best Beaches around Banyuls-sur-Mer
Banyuls-sur-Mer is known for its beaches. Some of the more pebble than beach to be sure, but if you know where to go, you can enjoy some of the most picturesque coves and hidden coastline where the water is startlingly clear, and the world just seems to slow down.
Cerbère-Banyuls Marine Nature Reserve
One of the reasons that so many of the beaches around Banyuls-sur-Mer are so wonderful to explore is that they lie inside the Cerbère-Banyuls Marine Nature Reserve, a protected stretch of sea where the water is clear, and the marine life is unusually rich. Near the surface, rocks are home to mollusks and crustaceans. At the same time, just below, Posidonia seagrass meadows sway with the currents, acting as vital nurseries for fish, octopus, seahorses, starfish, sponges, and shellfish.
Deeper still, colourful coralligenous reefs support hundreds of invertebrate species, along with groupers, moray eels, scorpionfish, rays, and even the occasional dolphin or sea turtle.
Plage des Elmes
This is the beach you picture on Banyuls postcards. A long, gently curving pebble shore right by the town, just steps from the promenade. The water here is clear and calm, great for swimming, and there’s usually a breeze that keeps things fresh in summer.
There is a small place where you can rent sunbeds (but arrive early in the morning if you want to secure a spot!) or spread a towel on the stones. Because this beach is located right beside a series of large apartments, it feels busy but never crowded, and has its own on-site fast-food restaurant where you can grab burgers, sandwiches, salads, and cold beer. However, I much prefer to bring a cooler with my own food to the beach, but it’s nice to have one there if you need a quick bite and don’t want to walk up the hill back into town.
Plage du Sana
A little quieter and more tucked in, Plage du Sana sits south of the main beach. There’s more shade here in the late afternoon if the sun feels too sharp, and the rocks create mini-pools and hidden nooks that feel private even on busier days. Swim out a bit, and the water turns a beautiful deep blue. The snorkelling is fantastic here, and the rock pools create very fish-friendly hiding spots. I also found that this beach has a little nicer and softer sand than the rest of the pebble-heavy beaches.
Plage du Troc
Plage du Troc feels like a place reserved for those who know where to look and are willing to make the effort to reach it. It’s tucked out of sight and mostly known to locals and people who live in the nearby residential area. The setting is striking. A narrow pocket of pebbles and rocks, less than fifty metres long, cut into the dark cliffs of the Côte Vermeille, with views toward Cap du Troc and across the water to Cap Béar near Port-Vendres.
Getting there is part of the adventure. It isn’t apparent, and without knowing where to look, you could easily miss it. You can either walk down the D914 road from the center of town or hop on the bus, which will drop you off at a nearby roundabout. The rest you’ll have to do on foot. Continue walking on the D914 for two minutes, in the direction of Cerbère. The road will swing around, and you’ll spot a small pedestrian path called ‘Crique Banyuls’. Walking on this narrow path, you’ll see it turn down the cliff, and eventually you’ll come across the steps which lead down to the beach. The beach feels so private and secluded. Truly like a secret and well worth the effort it will most likely take to find it! The snorkelling is the best in proximity to town, and you’ll see almost everything walking down to the beach carrying their snorkels and flippers.
Plage de Peyrefite
From Banyuls, if you have a car, you can drive over to the Plage de Peyrefite in about 15 minutes or hop on the bus, which will also lead you there in due time. The Plage de Peyrefite is a favourite if you like a bit of space and scenery that feels wild. Peyrefite sits at the base of the Cap de Perafita cliff, with choppy little coves sheltered between rocky outcrops. The pebbles are smooth here, the water astonishingly blue, and the backdrop feels rugged, sheer rock rising above you, vines and scrub clinging to every ledge.
This is also where the underwater trail starts, so you can combine sunbathing, swimming, and snorkelling in one slow day. The Underwater trail offers a gentle immersion into the shallows of the Cerbère-Banyuls reserve. The route is marked with buoys and follows a shallow loop close to shore. You swim from station to station, each one with an underwater panel explaining what you are looking at. Rocky reefs, sea grass meadows, small fish darting in and out of cracks, flashes of silver, sometimes an octopus if you are lucky and patient. The depth stays gentle, so you are never far from the surface, just gliding above the landscape. It feels calm. Almost meditative. You hear only your breathing through the snorkel and the soft hush of water moving around you.
The underwater trail offers five observation stations for discovering the diversity of Mediterranean habitats, thanks to a signposted route accessible by snorkel, mask and flippers. The trail has been designed to raise awareness of the marine environment, and is suitable for all ages. The trail is open in summer, usually July and August, when the sea is warmest and the water visibility is best. You can rent mask, snorkel, and fins right on the beach if you do not have your own. Water shoes are a good idea, since the shore is pebbly and sea urchins like to hide between the rocks. Go earlier in the day if you can. The light is better, the water is calmer, and the fish seem less shy.
The Vineyards of Banyuls
When you look at Banyuls, the sea is what first grabs your attention. But the hills behind the town you’ll find hillsides layered with vines and stone walls that make up the precious vineyards of Banyuls. The vines are part of the Côte Vermeille’s historic vineyard, planted across roughly 1,600 hectares and dedicated to producing classic French appellations: AOC Collioure, AOC Banyuls, AOC Banyuls Grand Cru, and IGP Côte Vermeille.
The land demands work by hand because the steep terraces and stone walls leave no room for machines; everything from pruning to harvesting is done manually. The dry-stone terraces that stitch the slopes together are a testimony to centuries of human ingenuity, some tracing back to early Mediterranean settlers and later shaped by medieval traditions. These low stone walls help the soil hold on, catching heat by day and releasing it by night, and creating tiny microclimates that give the wines real depth and character.
The terroir, that mix of sun, steep schist earth, salty sea winds, and a mild Mediterranean climate, creates wines that are expressive and layered. Grenache dominates here, in noir, gris, and blanc versions, often blended with local varieties like Macabeu and Malvoisie. The most famous product of this land is the Banyuls AOC, a fortified vin doux naturel (a naturally sweet wine) that is rich, intense, and fragrant, often showing notes of dried fruit, spice, and honey, because fermentation is stopped early with added alcohol to preserve natural sugars. There’s also Banyuls Grand Cru, a top-tier version that spends at least 30 months aging, often in oak, and develops deeper, more complex flavours.
Wine Tastings in Banyuls
Many wineries in Banyuls are small and have been family-run for generations. Tastings are simple but delicious. You’ll learn how the grapes are sun-dried, and how the alcohol is added to stop fermentation. How the wine ages in barrels, sometimes in glass demijohns left outside to bake in the sun. The result is rich and complex. Notes of dried fig, coffee, chocolate, orange peel, sea air. It tastes just like Banyuls itself.
Cave de l’Étoile
If I had to pick just one, it would be Cave de l’Étoile. This is my favourite place to taste Banyuls, hands down. It’s right in town, easy to reach on foot, and it feels deeply rooted in the local wine culture rather than set up as a polished tourist stop. The space is simple and welcoming, more cellar than showroom, and the focus is entirely on the wine and the people behind it.
The tour was engaging and full of stories about the estate and its history, and the team took time to answer questions, making the whole visit feel warm and personal. The tasting was just as good, starting with three Collioure wines, white, rosé, and red, followed by a generous selection of Banyuls, each with its own character and aromas.
One of the town’s most famous cellars is the Terres des Templiers, located just a few minutes outside the c ty centre. There was also a sh rt film about their winemaking process, which was interesting nd helpful for understanding how everything comes together. You can tour the underground spaces and sample a wide range of Banyuls wines, including aged cuvées.
Domaine Berta-Maillol has been a family-run estate for over 400 years. They have over 15 hectares of vines which cling to the steep slopes between the sea and the mountains in the commune of Banyuls-sur-Mer. The tasting at the estate is as much about story as it is about flavour. You learn the history of the family, the land, and the way Collioure and Banyuls wines are made, and it all brings the place to life. The quality of the wines is truly impressive. Everything is worth trying, but our favourites were the 100 percent Grenache Noir rosé and the un-oaked Collioure red, which shows the region’s grape varieties in the r purest form, with a lovely roundness and notes of cherry and other red fruits.
Market Day in Banyuls
No visit to a French town is complete without touring its local market. All year round, the primary market takes place on Thursday and Sunday mornings around Place du Marché, along rue du 14 Juillet and rue Saint-Sébastien. In high season, it spreads a little further, also filling rue Saint-Pierre on those same mornings. On Fridays, there is an additional flea market along the Allées Maillol by the seafront.
Rows of stalls under bright white canopies protect crates of ripe tomatoes and shiny aubergines from nearby farms, baskets of cherries and peaches that smell like sunshine, and tables covered in Provençal herbs and lavender. Like every market in France, there is also a rotisserie chicken vendor and enormous paella for sale, which makes for a great lunch!
But it’s not only food. Walk farther in, and you’ll find clothes hung on racks, hats for summer shade, souvenirs, and handmade goods. You can’t go wrong with pretty much anything here, so don’t worry about which vendor to buy from. Just buy up whatever your eye is drawn to, and you won’t be disappointed!
Eating in Banyuls, A French & Catalan Combination
The food in Banyuls genuinely caught me off guard. I went in expecting classic southern French cooking, but what you actually get is something shaped just as much by the sea and by Catalan culture. It’s completely normal to see tapas on the menu next to beef tartare. And instead of fries, Patatas Bravas are often the side of choice. It feels like a meeting point between France and Spain on a plate, and honestly, it’s the best of both worlds.
Where to Eat in Banyuls-Sur-Mer
La Fromagerie de Banyuls-sur-Mer
One of the first stops upon arrival is to fill the fridge with cheese. And the local La Fromagerie de Banyuls-sur-Mer is a very central spot where they really take the time to guide you through the perfect cheeses for your needs. The owner knows exactly what flavours sing together, and you walk out with a bag that feels heavy in the best way. And the cheeses are some of the best you’ll ever taste, at prices that almost feel unreal.
Ostres i Mes
If seafood is your thing, then you need to pay a visit to Ostres i Mes. Their menu is replete with fresh oysters, plump mussels, and fish that came off a boat that morning. Grab a seat on the small outside seating to enjoy the sound of the Mediterranean sea crashing in the background.
Le Fournil de Maël et Gaël
Le Fournil de Maël et Gaël is a bakery that makes waking up early in the morning well worth it! They are renowned all over the area for their award-winning breads and pastries, so much so that if you arrive too late, there is a line out the door! Their fresh baguettes have that perfect crack that comes with a good crust.
Paille i Verde
Another popular bakery is the modern and artisanal Paille i Verde. They specialize in freshly baked focaccia made from carefully chosen ingredients, and it is easily some of the best bread I’ve ever had in France!
Chez Carine
If you’re looking for someone sweet and totally unique, you cannot miss out on visiting Chez Carine. We were introduced to this spot as “the best patisseries in France!” and honestly, I might have to agree. Their giant macaroon filled with chocolate, raspberries and cream made my eyes roll back in my head and filled my eyes with stars! I’ve honestly never forgotten that first bite. They also specialized in gorgeous chocolate-covered mouse works of art, which is the only way to describe them! And their outdoor terrace that overlooks the water is absolutely stunning and perhaps one of the best views in the city.
Le Bla Bla
Even in a small town like Banyuls, you still need to be aware that those restaurants on the main street have their fair share of over-priced and underwhelming spots. But Le Bla Bla is definitely an outlier. Their terrace faces the sea and serves up delicious and beautiful salads and bruschettas. It’s such a great spot for lunch after the beach.
The Corsair Catalan Bistro
One of the most memorable fusion dishes I’ve ever tried was at the Corsair Catalan Bistro, a beef tartare taco. It sounds unusual, but the flavours were surprisingly rich and layered, and it worked beautifully. The cooking here feels bold and inventive, far more creative than I expected to find in such a small town. If you’re curious about how local flavours are being reimagined, this bistro offers a playful and delicious introduction.
La Casa Dina
The best meal(s) of our trip were at La Casa Dina. I say meals because literally the day after our first dinner, we returned the next night because we loved everything we ate so much! It’s a homey and unpretentious atmosphere serving up incredible dishes. From red onion tart tartin, to capriccioso courgettes, seafood risotto and sweet pea gazpacho. Everything was beautifully presented; it honestly felt like dining in a Michelin-star restaurant. I cannot sing enough praise about this spot and really hope you make it out there!
Café Covès
Café Covès is easily one of the liveliest spots in town. This tiny tapas bar overflows onto the street, where you can stand shoulder to shoulder with locals, glass of wine in hand, perched on high tables made from old barrels right in the middle of the cobblestones. We ddidn’tsample the food, but it looked delicious. We did sample at least a few bottles of wine, and they/re young staff have some of the best noses in the city! They choose some of the funkier and more modern wines that are as fun to drink as they are to enjoy outside this laid-back but vibey spot.
In the Footsteps of Aristide
Displayed around town, you’ll see these incredible bronze statues catching the glint of the sun and silhouetted against the vibrant sunset at night. These incredible works of art are by sculptor Aristide Maillol and create an outdoor museum and living collection of his work woven into the fabric of the city. Maillol was born here in 1861, in the steep, colourful Cap d’Osna quarter. Even after his career took him to Paris and far beyond, this stretch of the Catalan coast stayed at the centre of his life and work. Today, you can follow a gentle walking route through town called In the Footsteps of Aristide. It leads you through the neighbourhood where he grew up, along staircases and narrow lanes, past places tied to his childhood and early years. It takes about an hour if you move slowly, and it’s best done without rushing.
Along the seafront, on the Allées Maillol, several of his bronzes stand in the open air. Figures like Air, L’Action Enchaînée, and Île de France face the Mediterranean, their solid, calm forms catching the changing light. Near the town hall, you’ll find his pacifist war memorial and a reclining female figure, quiet and grounded, almost blending into daily life. The sculptures live among palm trees, cafés, and passing walkers; they aren’t gatekept from the public but live amongst them.
Maillol Museum
If you’re interested in learning more about Aristide Maillol, you can head just a little outside the city centre to visit the Maillol Museum (Musée Maillol). The building itself was his studio-house at one point, perched on a hillside, and inside and outside, you get a sense of both artist and place merging. Stone figures, bronze shapes, curves that echo both the human body and the rolling forms of the Pyrenean backdrop.
Pétanque in Banyuls-sur-Mer
If you want a taste of everyday life here, you need to make your way down to the Boulodrome La Phine on Avenue Pierre Fabre. Pétanque is a traditional French game, a bit like bocce or boules. You stand on a gravel court and take turns throwing metal balls, trying to land them as close as possible to a small wooden target ball called the cochonnet. It’s simple to learn, quietly competitive, and very social. In southern towns like Banyuls, it’s part of daily life. Old men playing in the shade, friends with a pastis on the side, laughter when a throw goes wrong, serious concentration when one goes just right.
Walking the Coastal Path Sentier du Littoral
Visiting Banyuls gives you the chance to take a stroll along the Sentier du Littoral. You can choose your own adventure, taking a full day to walk as far as the trail will take you, or just venture out for an hour or two to get a sample of the incredible Mediterranean sea views that this route guides you through. The Sentier du Littoral starts near the port and follows the rocky edge of the sea. It climbs and dips. Sometimes you are right above the water. Sometimes you are high enough to see the whole curve of the coast.
The path is rough in places and good walking shoes are absolutely required. As you walk, you pass old military structures, stone shelters, and lookout points. This coast has always been strategic. Spain is only a few kilometres away, and for centuries, this border mattered deeply. The vegetation is low and tough. Rosemary, thyme, scrub, small pines bent by wind. The smell is strong, especially in the heat. I usually walk in the late afternoon, when the sun softens, or first thing in the morning, before the heat really starts to beat down.
Day Trips from Banyuls
Banyuls is a good base if you want to explore more of the surrounding cities. Almost all cities are accessible by car, I would highly recommend taking the bus or the train as the tickets are very cheap and parking is minimal!
A day trip from Banyuls to Collioure feels like slipping along the coast into a postcard. The train ride is only a few minutes, hugging the sea the whole way, and suddenly you step into a town of pastel houses, a royal castle by the water, and little coves tucked between rocky headlands. You wander the old streets, climb up to the church of Notre-Dame-des-Anges with its lighthouse bell tower, maybe follow a stretch of the coastal path for views back toward the Côte Vermeille, then settle in for lunch by the harbour with anchovies, seafood, and a glass of local wine. It’s an easy, beautiful escape, close enough to feel effortless, different enough to feel like a change of scene.
Port-Vendres is also a short train ride away and drops you into a real port town where fishing boats and cargo ships share the water, and life revolves around the harbour rather than the postcard. You can walk the waterfront, watch the boats unload, climb up toward the lighthouse for expansive views over the Côte Vermeille, and stop for a long seafood lunch where the menu depends on what came in that morning.
A day trip to Cerbère, where the mountains finally drop into the sea, and Spain waits just around the corner, is a great little day out. You can swim in the clear coves, snorkel in the marine reserve, or walk the coastal path with expansive views over the deep blue water and rocky headlands. It’s not about sights so much as atmosphere. A border town, a working harbour, a place to slow down, eat simply, and watch the light shift across the water before heading back along the same beautiful stretch of coast.
A day trip to Perpignan is perfect if you’re craving a deeper dose of history, art, and city life. The train ride takes you inland to a place that still feels proudly Catalan, with palm-lined squares, medieval streets, and the imposing Palace of the Kings of Majorca rising above the old town. You can spend the morning wandering through museums, stepping into the Gothic cathedral of Saint-Jean, and exploring the Castillet, the former city gate that now tells the story of the region. Lunch might be on a shaded plaza, followed by a slow walk along the Basse River or through galleries and small boutiques. It’s a contrast to the sea and vineyards, more urban and cultural, but still warm, relaxed, and very much rooted in the identity of this southern borderland.
Banyuls-sur-Mer is the kind of place that grows on you quietly. It is not loud or showy, and it does not try to impress in obvious ways. Instead, it gives you small, beautiful moments. A swim in clear water. A glass of wine at sunset. A walk through steep streets that smell of salt and warm stone. It feels real, lived in, and deeply tied to its land and sea. If you take the time to slow down here, to eat well, to walk, to watch the light change, Banyuls has a way of staying with you long after you leave.
Happy Travels, Adventurers!
Leave a Comment