The Côte Vermeille by motorhome
From Collioure to the Spanish border, the most beautiful stretch of coastline in the Pyrénées-Orientales: ochre-and-blue villages, terraced vineyards, coves and footpaths. Here is how to enjoy it by motorhome — with your base just 30 minutes away, 900 m from the beach. 🍇
Where the Pyrénées meet the Mediterranean
The Côte Vermeille stretches from Argelès-sur-Mer to the Spanish border: a succession of red headlands, fishing harbours and heroic vineyards. Four unmissable stops, all within easy reach of the stopover.
Collioure
📍 ~30 min from the stopoverThe jewel of the coast: the bell-tower of Notre-Dame-des-Anges standing at the water's edge, the Château Royal, the ochre-and-blue alleyways that gave birth to Fauvism (Matisse and Derain, 1905). Sample the famous anchovies from Collioure and the sweet wines. Parking is extremely limited: arrive early, come by bike or take the train.
Port-Vendres
📍 ~33 minThe only deep-water harbour on the coast, still very much alive: the morning fish auction, trawlers returning to port, seafood terraces lining the quay. Above, Cap Béar and its lighthouse offer one of the finest panoramas on the coastline.
Banyuls-sur-Mer
📍 ~45 minTerraced vineyards tumbling down to the sea, birthplace of Banyuls sweet wine and the wines of Collioure. Home of the sculptor Maillol, and gateway to the marine nature reserve: snorkel along the underwater trail, surrounded by grouper.
Cerbère & the border
📍 ~50 minThe last village before Spain, dominated by the remarkable Belvédère du Rayon Vert (an Art Deco ocean-liner building). A pebble cove, crystal-clear waters, and the thrill of the border just a stone's throw from Portbou and Catalonia.
What to do on the Côte Vermeille
Hiking the headlands, tasting Banyuls wine and anchovies from Collioure, swimming in a marine reserve, taking the train along the seafront: the coast is as much to be experienced as admired.
The coastal path
The GR coastal path links the villages via the headlands and coves: breathtaking views over scrubland, vineyards and the Mediterranean. Short sections that are perfectly manageable as a day walk.
Wines & anchovies
Banyuls, Collioure, Maury: cellars and tastings on the hillside. And anchovies from Collioure, hand-salted for centuries — a must at the local markets.
Snorkelling in the reserve
The Cerbère-Banyuls marine nature reserve: a marked underwater trail, perfect for snorkelling, to discover protected wildlife just metres from the shore.
Smart trains & cycling
TER trains along the coast (Collioure, Port-Vendres, Banyuls, Cerbère) and cycle paths: the simplest way to explore without the hassle of parking a motorhome.
Your base camp 900 m from the beach
The coastal villages are superb but tricky to access in a large vehicle. The smart solution: leave your motorhome at the Night4CampingCar stopover and head out for the day by car, bike or train.
🏖️ The Night4CampingCar stopover
900 m from the beach, open 24/7 all year round, full services (water, electricity, waste disposal, showers, Wi-Fi). Collioure ~30 min away: the ideal base for the Côte Vermeille.
Côte Vermeille by motorhome: your questions answered
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🚐 Ready for the Côte Vermeille?
Leave your motorhome at the stopover and set off to explore Collioure, Port-Vendres and Banyuls with complete peace of mind.
The beach, 900 metresaway. Right there.
Step out of the van. Slip on your sandals. Ten minutes' walk later, your feet touch the sand of the Mediterranean. It's as simple as that.
✨ Fewer than 5% of French motorhome sites are within 1 km of the sea. You're in the right place.
🌊 The beach in figures today
The paradise for bike rides starts here
Over 30 km of cycle paths and greenways directly accessible from the site, without getting back in your motorhome. From your pitch, set off and ride between beach, harbour, nature and Catalan villages at your own pace.
Plane-tree avenue
Reach Perpignan easily along a pleasant avenue lined with plane trees and enjoy a cooler ride on sunny days.
Coast towards Canet
Following the coastline southwards, discover Canet-en-Roussillon, its harbour, its beaches and the lagoon with its typical landscapes between sea and nature.
Adventure to Leucate
Heading north, push the adventure on to Leucate for a gourmet break and to savour the famous local oysters by the water.
Here, the journey doesn't begin at the wheel: it begins the moment you step off your pitch.
Welcome to our beautiful region of the Pyrénées-Orientales, between the Mediterranean, nature and the good life. 🚐✨
Blue Mediterranean, mindful travelling
A seaside aire is a place of freedom, but also a place to protect. Even on holiday, a few simple gestures can have a real impact on our environment… and sometimes on your wallet too.
Enjoy without wasting
Water and energy are precious, especially near the Mediterranean coast. Here, everyone uses only what they need.
Consumption that adapts to you
Each pitch has its own charging point. You activate your socket, manage your consumption and only pay for what you actually use.
Travel lighter
Consuming just enough isn't going without: it's avoiding the unnecessary, preserving resources and fully enjoying the essentials.
One gesture multiplied by thousands of travellers
When an aire welcomes travellers all year round, small habits can make a big difference.
"Nature already puts on the show: it's simply up to us to take care of it."
— The team at the Sainte-Marie-la-Mer motorhome aire