Charles Rennie Mackintosh, the renowned Scottish artist, designer and architect spent the last four years of his life here in Port-Vendres, but if you want bigger names, then a short walk away is the beautiful Collioure, where Picasso, Matisse and Derain have all left their mark!

Port-Vendres owes its name of Portus Veneris to the temple dedicated to Venus that once dominated the cove. In fact, the town has long history going back to several centuries BC due to the natural shelter of its deep water port and proximity to Spain. The scars of battlement are there for you to discover as you explore the region.

Port Vendres is still today a natural deep water port and has three sections; the trade port, the fishing port and the marina. The mix of all three make the village an interesting place to stay whether in season, or out. Local markets offer an amazing choice of fresh fish and locally produced wines. The local restaurants serve up traditional Catalan cuisine where you can enjoy the taste of the freshly caught fish.