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Banyuls-sur-Mer

Visit Banyuls-sur-Mer (Languedoc-Roussillon, France)

Banyuls-sur-Mer is a coastal resort and beach set around a natural bay and port. It is situated on the Mediterranean coast in Languedoc-Roussillon, just north of the border with Spain - the coast here is known as the Cote Vermeille.

A quiet town, Banyuls has little in the way of major sights but it is a pleasant place to stop and explore or have a quick dip in the sea from the town beach and is a popular base for visitors to the region.

Exploring Banyuls-sur-Mer

The beach in the town has received the prestigious 'pavillon bleu' award for its cleanliness and facilities. Along the seafront are plenty of bars and restaurants and after enjoying dinner in a seafront restaurant be sure to take an evening stroll along the sea front. Away from the beach, the most interesting part of Banyuls is the narrow streets of the Cap d'Osne region. These wind steeply uphill and the tourist office has signed a route through these attractive narrow streets.

Sat above the town is a large mediterranean garden, the Jardin Mediterranean du Mas de la Serre, which is a 3 hectare park filled with plants from Mediterranean type climates around the world. Banyuls also has an aquarium on the seafront filled with plants and fish found in the waters nearby.

Banyuls is also well known for the local wine production, and there are several caves where you can do wine-tasting - the most popular are La Grande Cave and La Cave du Mas Reig.

Aristide Malliol: As you explore the town you will notice some interesting statues by local artist Aristide Malliol, born here in 1861. When looking at the statues (such as the 'young lady reclining' near the port) remember that these statues predate, and influenced, later artists such as Henry Moore. The house where Malliol died is also in Banyuls, and now a museum dedicated to his life and works, including paintings, ceramics and sculptures.

The coast and region around Banyuls-sur-Mer

Several points along the coast nearby have fine viewpoints over the rocky coastline, including the Cap l'Abeille and Cap Rederis.

Other good detours are to take the road from Banyuls to the Tower Madeloc, for some of the best, most far-reaching, views in the region, and the Col de Banyols.

Note: Banyuls is twinned with Settle (Yorkshire, England)

Photos of Banyuls-sur-Mer

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Address: Banyuls-sur-Mer, Côte Vermeille, Céret, Pyrenees-Orientales, Languedoc-Roussillon, 66650 || GPS: latitude 42.483, longitude 3.128

Map of Banyuls-sur-Mer & places nearby



 

Highlights close by

More suggestions: Elne 18km; Perpignan 31km; Ceret 31km; Castelnou 38km; Fort de Salses 43km;

See lots more places to visit nearby and a more detailed map at places near Banyuls-sur-Mer.
See Languedoc-Roussillon and Pyrenees-Orientales (the region and department for Banyuls-sur-Mer) for more travel ideas...

Suggested tourist attractions to visit near Banyuls-sur-Mer, France

• Eglise de Saint Michel (Saint-Genis-des-fontaines) - religious monument (18km)
• Chapel Saint-Martin de Fenollar (Maureillas-las-Illas) - religious monument (25km)
• Eglise de Notre Dame des Anges (Cabestany) - religious monument (27km)
• Perpignan - town of art and history (31km)
• Castelnou - most beautiful village (38km)

Market days in Banyuls-sur-Mer: Regular market(s) are held in Banyuls-sur-Mer each Thursday & Sunday. (Markets are held in the morning unless stated.)

The French version of this page is at Banyuls-sur-Mer (Francais)