At the foot of the Albères mountain, by the Mediterranean Sea, we find Port-Vendres, a little resort on the Vermillion Coast famous for its fishing port.
To the east of Port-Vendres is the beginning of the Cap Béar way, a superb coast road in unspoilt countryside...
The Natura 2000 listed great site of Paulilles Bay should not be missed, with its museum area within a former dynamite works, where there is an exhibition of working life in bygone days.
Located on the rocky coast of the Mediterranean (called the Vermilion Coast) at the gates of Spain, Port-Vendres is a natural deep water harbor. Here the sea has rendezvous with the mountains and offers a beautiful natural setting... Sandy beaches, pebble coves, lipids are assessing water swimming and underwater activities. The back country, culminating at 650 m to the Tower Madeloc, offers magnificent views of the Catalan coast and varied walks through picturesque vineyards and terraces hamlet.
The city owes its name "Portus Veneris" in the presence of a temple dedicated to Venus, who would have dominated the creek.
Its privileged maritime location, the port role Port-Vendres is intimately linked to the history of Roussillon. After the reign of the Kings of Majorca and its dependence on Spain, Roussillon is permanently attached to France by the Treaty of the Pyrenees in 1659. Natural shelter, the only deepwater port on the coast, near Spain, Port-Vendres develops and, fortified by Vauban, is classified "Port War" by Louis XIV.
Then under Louis XVI, De Mailly, Count of Roussillon, decides to make Port-Vendres a new city and a port open to all nations. He realizes the architectural ensemble of the Obelisk. The Obelisk, its bas-reliefs and allegorical trophies are dedicated to the King during his lifetime.
Today Port-Vendres is a fishing port (trawlers lamparos, small trades), craft and trade (2nd Mediterranean fruit port) and welcomes cruise liners.
A visit Port-Vendres invites you to discover its history, its maritime tradition around a marina, a commercial port (Port Orchard 2nd Mediterranean), and a fishing port with authentic colors Mediterranean.
Port-Vendres invites you to walk into the sea, first diving, visits shipwrecks submerged fishing.
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