Top 10 things to do in Banyuls-sur-Mer

Top 10 things to do in Banyuls-sur-Mer

1- Our Lady of La Salette

While the arcades are somewhat of a symbol of the town, you still have to admire the small chapel of Notre-Dame de la Salette . Arriving in the village, you can't miss it! It sparkles at the top of the hill and seems to watch over the inhabitants. It was built in 1863 by Bonaventure Reig after his pilgrimage to Notre Dame de la Salette in Isère. You can reach it on foot or by car, crossing the vineyards, to enjoy a breathtaking panorama of Banyuls and the Côte Vermeille.

2- The coastal path

Departing from Banyuls-sur-Mer, the coastal path provides access to Cap Béar in one direction, or to Cerbère and Spain in the other. In the heart of the garrigue, enjoy breathtaking views of the Mediterranean and the scents of rockrose, rosemary, thyme, heather, and broom. You'll have superb viewpoints, cross coves, and beaches all the way to the Spanish border. It's a real hike with 32 km of unforgettable views of the Côte Vermeille, but there are shorter routes.

3- The circuit

Aristide Maillol is a native of the region, and you can discover his works through a tour of the Cap d'Osna district, where the artist was born in 1861. This typically Catalan neighborhood, facing the sea, is always bathed in sunshine. The "pink house" is Maillol's. The tour, "In Aristide's Footsteps," winds through the narrow streets from the Tourist Office to Aristide Maillol Street. Simply follow the signs for a beautiful walk of about an hour.

4- Look for sculptures in the village

Go in search of Maillol's sculptures on display outdoors. Look for the "Pacifist War Memorial" (behind the town hall), "The Reclining Girl" (along the paths of the same name), and "Île-de-France Without Arms" (on the esplanade). Here's a hint: there are seven sculptures to find!

5- The Maillol Museum

To complete your exploration of the artist's work, head to the Maillol Museum , hidden in the hinterland. It's a true haven of peace and this is where he rests, in his tomb adorned with the statue "The Mediterranean." You can admire ceramics, bronzes, lithographs, paintings, and visit his studio. Allow around forty minutes to visit this museum housed in a former farmhouse. And don't forget to enjoy the gardens.

6- Visit to the vineyard

Banyuls is home to France's smallest AOC (Protected Designation of Origin). This sweet wine is made from old vines and enriched with fermenting wine brandy. Only four communes can produce Banyuls AOC: Banyuls-sur-Mer, Collioure, Port-Vendres, and Cerbère. Here, everything is done by hand, as the vines grow on terraces built over seven centuries ago.

7- The little train of Banyuls sur mer

To discover the vineyard in a fun and relaxing way, board the little tourist train , avenue de la République, in front of the Tourist Office. After crossing the village, it will take you to the hillsides where you will discover the old vines that seem to emerge from the rock. You will pass near the Chapel of La Salette before visiting the underground cellar or the Grande Cave de Terres des Templiers. A tasting is offered.
Departures guaranteed for groups of 12 or more adults every day from April to September.

8- Arago Laboratory Aquarium

Facing the sea, right next to the Nature Reserve, the Arago laboratory aquarium delights young and old alike with around 300 species of fish, invertebrates, and Mediterranean plants. The tanks' decors faithfully recreate the Catalan underwater biotopes. You will discover the sandy bottoms of the coastal zone, the lagoons, but also the Posidonia seagrass beds, the rocky bottoms, the coralligenous... A discovery tank allows you to get up close to surprising animals!

Prices:

• Adults: 9.5 euros;
• Children aged 3 to 12: 5 euros;
• Children aged 13 to 18: 7.5 euros;
• Reduced rate: 8.5 euros.

9- The Biodiversarium, the Mediterranean garden

The Biodiversarium allows you to discover the marine and terrestrial diversity of the Pyrénées-Orientales. The marvelous garden is a three-hectare park on the heights of Banyuls-sur-Mer. The unique tour offers exceptional views of the hinterland. It's an opportunity to discover more than 300 local plant species or those growing in the same climate. Exhibition spaces feature photos, videos, insect collections, and more. A free treasure hunt is available for children aged 6 to 12.

Prices:

• Adults: 6 euros;
• Children 3-12 years: 3 euros;
• Children 13-18 years: 4 euros
• Reduced rate: 5 euros.

10- The underwater trail

At the end of the Côte Vermeille, at the foot of the Albères mountains, the nature reserve is home to more than 1,200 animal species: mollusks, sponges, fish, plant species... The underwater trail is ideal for education and awareness of the underwater environment. It can be discovered by snorkeling, diving, or even by boat. The underwater trail starts from Peyrefite beach. It extends over a marked 500-meter round trip with five observation stations that do not exceed five meters in depth.
Possibility to rent fins, mask and snorkel.

Bonus: The beaches

In Banyuls-sur-Mer, there are beaches for all tastes and desires. Elmes Beach, small and family-friendly, is ideal for young children; Grandes Elmes Beach allows you to be calm, relax, practice paddleboarding or snorkeling; the central beach and its pebbles, or Fontaulé Beach, in the heart of Banyuls, is sheltered by arcades and under the guard of a cannon ready to fire into the sea. Peyrefite Beach is the wildest and is home to the underwater trail.