Mauresque BeachFrance Beach Guide

The beach is reached by a coastal hike from Port-Vendres — there is no road access to the shore itself, so lace up before you go. The path is rated moderate, so expect some uneven terrain along the clifftop trail. Free parking is available near the Lidl in Port-Vendres, along the road, making that your practical base before setting off on foot. No entry fee applies to the beach, but the marine reserve rules are in force the moment you enter the water.

The snorkelling trail is the main event: strap on a mask and follow the buoys through waters with exceptional fish density, right on the boundary of the Réserve Naturelle Marine de Cerbère-Banyuls. When you're done in the water, the nearby village of Collioure is worth the short walk — the Chapelle Saint-Vincent and the panoramic Point de vue n°7 sur le clocher de Collioure are both within roughly two kilometres. For a different underwater perspective, Plage des Elmes, a sheltered dark-sand cove with a dive club in Banyuls, is just 1.5 km away, and the Musée Maillol — Villa Templière, dedicated to sculptor Aristide Maillol who was born in Banyuls-sur-Mer, is about 2 km from the beach.

Back in Port-Vendres, Bar à Huitres and La Bouillabaisse are both within half a kilometre and lean into the local seafood and Mediterranean traditions that define this coastline. Mengem and Laboiteàbébert offer Mediterranean and tapas options a little further along, and Le Paquebot rounds out the choices at under a kilometre from the beach. There is nothing to eat on the beach itself, so pack provisions for the hike.

Le Paquebot and Ibis Styles Port-Vendres are the closest options, both under a kilometre from the trailhead in Port-Vendres. Sur le Quai and Intense boutik-hôtel offer alternatives within a kilometre, while Les jardins du cèdre is a short walk further at 1.3 km. Staying in Port-Vendres puts you right at the start of the coastal path with easy access to the village's restaurants.

Shoot from the dark schist pebble shore at golden hour, when the emerald water catches the low Côte Vermeille light and the marine reserve buoys dot the surface — it's a composition you won't find on a sandy beach. For an elevated angle, the Point de vue n°7 sur le clocher de Collioure, roughly 1.9 km away, gives a sweeping view of this dramatic stretch of coastline.

Marine reserve rules strictly apply here — no fishing, no collecting marine life, and no anchoring. In the water, follow the snorkelling trail buoys and stay within the marked route. The seasonal buoys are only in place from June through September; outside those months the trail is unmarked and winter swells make the coastal path genuinely difficult. Always check the reserve's website for seasonal access rules before you travel — conditions and restrictions can change.