A mouthful in the South

There are a lot of ports along the Mediterranean coast of 
France and Spain.



St. Cyprien, Canet, Ceret, Banyuls, Port Vendres, Port Argeles and Collouire are in the French side while Port Lligat, Cadaques, Empuria Brava are on the Spanish side.
Each of these ports has something special, exclusive and unique to offer. Banyuls has barrels of their aperitif wine while Collouire are known for their fresh anchovies and sardines. 

While shopping in Ceret, there were espadrilles galore but I ended up buying a Panama Hat for my husband. 





When you cross the Pyrenees mountains to Empuria Brava, 
they serve the most delicious paellas, tapas and churros con chocolate.                                                                                                                        

Enjoying a beautiful day and bustling scenery while having our brunch in Canet.

mussels served with pomme frites

mussels cooked in white wine and fresh herbs in it's natural juice.

Chilled rose in plastic bag filled with ice and cold water. 

What a refreshing idea to serve chilled wine at home

Having our brunch in Collouire. 
Ordered our salad served with your own vinaigrette...nice touch.

a variety of skewered and grilled shrimps, squid and pork served with smoked ham and crusty baguette.

What an incredible way to start the vacation. I have a feeling it's going to be gastronomic. Well, bring it on.

Hotel Templier in Collouire

A visit to this small village in Perpignan is as colorful as the paintings of Henry Matisse and Raoul Dufy. We decided to have dinner at the Hotel Templier. The restaurant offers the best sardines and fresh anchovies in the south of France. So my sisters and I gave it a try along with other delectable catalan cuisine.

                                          http://www.hotel-templiers.com/gb/restaurant.htm

this a very old restaurant and hotel. It houses a lot of the original paintings of Henry Matisse. He lived in Collouire and stayed in this hotel.

fried sardines, their specialty. The fresh flavor melts in your mouth.

fresh anchovies with roasted red and yellow peppers and creamy cheese on baguette.

feta cheese inside the filo. It was beautiful and delicious.

food glorious food with my sisters in Collouire..... 


http://cbuencamino.blogspot.com/2010/11/colliourethe-city-of-painters.html  


....if I'm dreaming....don't wake me up.

         

Collioure....the City of Painters

"In France there is no sky as blue as the one in Collioure...I just have to close the shutters of my room and I have all the colors of the Mediterranean before me." --- HENRI MATISSE

 While on a vacation in the south of France, Collouire was very much part of our visit. It is a beautiful Catalan harbor facing the Mediterranean sea. A picturesque town where impressionists painters like Picasso, Matisse, Derain, Dufy, Chagall, Marquet, have found inspiration. Henry Matisse lived here for many years and donated many of his paintings in a hotel where he stayed. There are numerous galleries scattered around this small harbor and visits are always a visual delight.
Collouire is Catalan country situated in the Languedoc-Roussilon region by the Pyrenees mountains. The French finally won against the Spaniards and Collouire is now a part of France. It is a very old town with many fortresses and Dominican and Benedictine churches.Vineyards are a common sight in Rousillon and fruits like peaches, plums and nectarines are harvested in the summer.

Our Lady of Lourdes

Our Lady of Fatima

Outside the churches and fortresses and after our visits inside the fabulous museums, strolling along the narrow streets and walkways is what we call retail therapy. We especially enjoyed their local fruits and vegetables, paintings, a "must-have" Catalan espadrilles and hand-made products. Never a boring moment. For dinner, you can choose from an array of restaurants. Food is savory and delectable but that's a whole new blog.

artists from all over the globe find inspiration in this charming town

their local fresh anchovies

 Shopping in Collouire is therapy. Boutiques line up the narrow walkways and restaurants are spread around. There is not a boring moment.

they are famous for their hand-made Catalan espadrilles. A must-have.

A festival was first celebrated in the year 1701, on the day when the relics of St. Vincent, the patron saint of Collioure, were returned to the village.The much-awaited celebrations start on the 14th of August and ends on the 18th. The fabulous fireworks display is on the 16th, a celebration of the Assumption of Our Blessed Mother. http://www.collioure.com/gb/index-gb.htm

Every year on Aug 16, Collouire celebrates the assumption of our Blessed Mother with a display of spectacular fireworks. I videotaped the extraordinary spectacle to share to my friends. C'est magnifique.