Initially heading west to Perpignan, I visited the old town area and the Cathedral. It was a quick visit and I didn’t go in to the Palace of the Kings but the thick, high walls surrounding it looked very impressive. The old architecture was quite likeable and the mountains were very prominent on the approach from the east. The Catalan influences were clear and would become even more so for the rest of the day with the frequent sight of the unmistakable yellow and red striped Catalan flag.
After Perpignan I cycled southeast back towards the coast, stopping at Argeles-sur-Mer which had a great beach.
Further south, it was the clear that the Pyrenees extended right to the coastline as the roads ascended quite rapidly in to the hills. The coastal towns had a completely different character now that they were built on hillsides, felt much older and showed more of a Catalan influence and Collioure was particularly impressive.
When I passed Banyuls-sur-Mer I followed the phone sat nav in to the hills with the intention of reaching Portbou. The route became increasingly mountainous to the extent that it became impassable as the altitude increased and the windy roads turned from tarmac, to unsealed gravel tracks, then to narrow rocky hiking trails.
At this point the elevated position gave a good view of the coastline that I had passed along, but decided to stay at the nearest campsite at Banyuls-sur-Mer.
Distance: 37 miles
Maximum temperature: 28 degrees C
Vineyard near Perpignan
Perpignan
Perpignan
Perpignan
Collioure
Collioure
View of Banyuls-sur-Mer from the mountains
