Côte Vermeille and the little yellow train
Matisse’s Collioure, Banyuls wine and cherry town Céret, then up the Têt valley to Vauban’s fortresses and the yellow train.
- Distance
- 163 km (101 mi)
- Driving
- 2 h 15 min
- Suggested days
- 4
- Stops
- 8
- Countries
- France
- Updated
- August 26, 2026
At a glance: 4-day road trip of about 163 km (101 mi) with 8 stops, from Perpignan to Mont-Louis. About 2 h 15 min of driving in total.
More road trips in France
Route description
From Perpignan head south to the Côte Vermeille, where the Pyrenees meet the sea. Collioure’s harbour, church tower and castle inspired Matisse and Derain in 1905; the D914 then winds on to Banyuls, known for its sweet wine and terraced vineyards.
Turn inland through Argelès and the Tech valley to Céret, a town of plane trees, cherries and a modern art museum, with a medieval bridge over the river. Cross north to the Têt valley and stop at the Orgues d’Ille-sur-Têt, earth pillars carved by erosion.
The N116 climbs to Villefranche-de-Conflent, a walled town fortified by Vauban, with Fort Libéria above. It is also the start of the yellow train, which crosses the Pont Séjourné and the Gisclard bridge on its way to the high plateau of the Cerdagne.
Mont-Louis, a second Vauban citadel at 1,600 m, has a solar furnace to visit. Parking in Collioure is very tight in summer, so leave vehicles at the edge of town or come in spring, when the Canigou is still white with snow.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Perpignan
France - 231 km
Collioure
France - 38 km
Banyuls-sur-Mer
France - 439 km
Céret
France - 530 km
Orgues d’Ille-sur-Têt
NatureIlle-sur-Têt, FrancePale earth chimneys and columns carved by rain in an amphitheatre of sand and clay. A short path winds among them; best in soft morning or evening light.
- 628 km
Villefranche-de-Conflent
France - 720 km
Pont Séjourné
OdditiesFontpédrouse, FranceA two-tier stone viaduct carrying the little yellow train of the Cerdagne high above the Têt gorge. Ride over it from Villefranche, or see it from the N116 lay-bys.
- 88 km
Mont-Louis
France
Suggested stages and overnight stops
4 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Perpignan → Banyuls-sur-Mer · 38 km · 0 h 32 minOn the way: Collioure.Overnight nearby, for example: Càmping Sant Miquel (9 km); Camping Municipal de Cerbère Cap Peyrefite (4 km).
- Day 2: Banyuls-sur-Mer → Céret · 39 km · 0 h 32 minOvernight nearby, for example: Camping *** Les Casteillets (4 km); Camping de la Vallée (5 km).
- Day 3: Céret → Villefranche-de-Conflent · 58 km · 0 h 48 minOn the way: Orgues d’Ille-sur-Têt.Overnight nearby, for example: Lastourg (2 km); Camping Bellevue (3 km).
- Day 4: Villefranche-de-Conflent → Mont-Louis · 28 km · 0 h 23 minOn the way: Pont Séjourné.Overnight nearby, for example: Camping Le Petit Canada (2 km); Camping Le Petit Canada (2 km).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually April–June and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, July–August and November. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
Practical notes for the road
- France: Motorway tolls. Tolls on most autoroutes; the limit drops to 110 km/h in rain. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
Road rules and fees change. Check official sources before you travel.
FAQs
How long is Côte Vermeille and the little yellow train?
4-day road trip of about 163 km (101 mi) with 8 stops, from Perpignan to Mont-Louis. About 2 h 15 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Côte Vermeille and the little yellow train?
We suggest 4 days: about 2 h 15 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Côte Vermeille and the little yellow train start and end?
It starts in Perpignan and ends in Mont-Louis.
Which countries does Côte Vermeille and the little yellow train pass through?
France.
Where can you camp along Côte Vermeille and the little yellow train?
OpenStreetMap lists 263 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 20 km of the stops on this route. For example: La Colomine del Mar, La Mignane and night4campingcar P2.
When is the best time for Côte Vermeille and the little yellow train?
The most pleasant months are usually April–June and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, July–August and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
