Top Things to do in Banyuls-sur-mer
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What to do and see in Banyuls-sur-mer, France: The Best Places and Tips
Discover the best top things to do in Banyuls-sur-mer, France including Tour Madeloc, Cave Banyuls l'Etoile, Terres des Templiers, Domaine Berta Maillol, Musee Maillol, Domaine Tambour, Domaine Saint Sebastien, Jardin Mediterranean du Mas de la Serre, Eglise Saint-Jean-Baptiste.
Restaurants in Banyuls-sur-mer
1. Tour Madeloc
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 82 reviews
Reviewed By Ken O - Nottingham, United Kingdom
I walked to the Tour from Collioure and returned there by a different route. Some sections are strenuous but manageable for the reasonably fit (weekend walkers who can manage 15 miles with a day pack over hills). One or two sections of the route I followed were ankle twisting, especially and predictably on the way down when tired / hot. A map is essential. I used the Carte de Randonne - Banyuls, 2549 OT. It's maddenly detailed but you get used to it after a while. Signposting is excellent. Use it and trust it. My headline route from Collioure was: Windmill, Fort St. Elme (dirt path), Fort Dugomier, Col en Raixat, Col de Mollo (paved lanes). Then head uphill W on a steep but safe narrow dirt path for 800m to a path beneath the Batterie de Tailaferro. Follow this increasingly steep, zig zagging but safe path, south up a steep slope to the Tour. Gulp the views gluttinously. Eat your lunch as well.
I returned this way. I retraced my steps down to the Batterie. Ankle twisting, toes banging the toe cap stuff. I'm old so went slow. Youngsters bounded past me. Lucky Devils. Go 500m beyond the battery and join a road. Follow it as it twists 360 degrees and heads southish then NE ish for 400m. Take the path N to Ermitage ND de Consolation. This path is unpleasant because it's uncomfortable. You are going down though bushes and on loose stones. Forget the views and feelings of Wodsworthian oneness with nature and instead watch your feet carefully for about 600m. I'm not bothered about matcho pride so I stop a lot, pretend to scan the Horizon like 'Stout Cortez', breath heavily and guzzle water. When you get to the Ermitage, follow a better and clear path, down through the vineyards, beneath the viaduct, past the little tourist train dormitory and into Collioure.
2. Cave Banyuls l'Etoile
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 71 reviews
The love of a region, the passion for vine and wines, since 1921, L'Etoile presents its AOC wines: Banyuls, Banyuls Grand Cru and Collioure. Our founding fathers knew how to pass on their passion for the vine and the wine as well as the values of the cooperation. Visit and taste Wines from the oldest cellar of Banyuls, city of the famous sculptor Aristide Maillol.
Reviewed By AnaCoh - Germany
Just before one enters Benyuls, driving from Port Vendres, this little stop with a mirador view can be a refreshing point to stop and partake on a petit degustatión of this local dessert wine. We were happy with the service and the quality and bought the Grand Cru.
3. Terres des Templiers
Overall Ratings
4 based on 296 reviews
Between Mountains and sea, sun and Wind become one... The "Grande Cave" of terres des Templiers is astonishing. Everywhere here you feel the kinf of magic carefully preserved by nature and men in balance between ligth and shadow. After watching the movie "The legend of the great banyuls" your guide will tell you the story of this unconventional vineyard, from the vinification to the aging methods used by our winegrowers. Walk along the centuries old casks, charmed by the atmosphere and the smells. Finally, stroll along the red barrels aged in the open and feel the sensations of the banyuls either crushed by the summer sun or bitten by the winer winds
Reviewed By aa27 - Lausanne, Switzerland
You can see the amazing huge barrels and learn about the difference between Collioure and Banyuls wines. You also see barrels in the sun, following the Templiers method for wine aging. At the end, you can taste different wines (depending on the period, since their production is limited), and you can buy some bottles: we were not harrassed and pushed to buy more, someone didn't buy anything at all without any problem, even if the guided tour was free (it's 5 euros in English or German, free in French). Worth the stop, even for people not especially wine-lovers.
4. Domaine Berta Maillol
Overall Ratings
5 based on 28 reviews
Family winery since over four years is between sea and Mountains in the town of Banyuls-sur-mer, that our 15 hectares of vines cling to the steep slopes. Terracing is a true architectural work across the Mountains. Any mechanization is difficult, the work is mainly manual.
Reviewed By Kenneth R - Sarasota, Florida
We visited the winery with friends and had a very enjoyable tasting. The portions were very generous and these guys are one of the better producers we tasted on our trip. For those who are not french speakers you might not be as happy as no one on duty when we visited spoke much english. The domaine is in a beautiful setting, and the casks are very impressive.
5. Musee Maillol
Overall Ratings
4 based on 98 reviews
Reviewed By rostourist - Western Ireland, Ireland
We walked to the musee from Banyuls sur Mer (4km, not 10, as stated in the review below) and found the variety of Malliol's work on display modest to say the least.
The exhibition was supplimented with a collection of Marilyn Monroe photographic portraits, which were interesting in themselves.
The building also shows a recreation of the artists kitchen and dining table in the basement but for the €7 entry fee, you can expect to see only a very limited sample of the work of Malliol.
Accessing bathroom facilities seemed to involve requesting keys fro a staff member and there were no refreshments available.
You can enter the property to see Malliol's final resting place, free of any charge.
Perhaps a place not to drive by without calling when in the area but the reward for an 8km round trip walk from town was barely worth the effort.
6. Domaine Tambour
Overall Ratings
5 based on 20 reviews
Reviewed By Catherine T - Morgat, France
Nous étions en famille venant du Gers, des Landes et de Paris, comme j'avais rencontré Brice lors d'une autre Promenade du littoral nous sommes allés au domaine pour des dégustations. Cet homme, jeune, parle du vignoble de Banuyls et du Collioure comme nul autre. Ces patrons ont bien de la chance d'avoir un tel employé. Aprés avoir écouté et dégusté nous sommes partis chargés et contents. Nous reviendrons.
7. Domaine Saint Sebastien
Overall Ratings
5 based on 10 reviews
Traditional Domaine of the vineyard Collioure-Banyuls, the Clos Saint Sebastien works on the hand its 20 hectares of " old vineyard " in Banyuls sur Mer. Our vintages are present in somes guides and often very well noted. Livened up by the will to develop oenotouristiques activities and to value at best the vineyard Collioure-Banyuls, the Domain began visits in its new cellar situated in the lands of Banyuls near the Maillol museum , and surrounded with its vineyards to discover at the same time the work of the vineyard and the cellar. For the first year, we set up all year long the concept of new visits of Clos Saint Sebastien. Twice a day, visits are organized to present Clos Saint Sebastien and the vineyard Collioure-Banyuls, on the basis of an activity allying visit of the vineyard, visit of the Cellar and the tasting. Two schedules can be envisaged: at 10 am and at 6 pm, every day. Take advantage there!! Call up we to reserve your visit 24 hours before to cross a good moment in the lands of Banyuls. Clos Saint Sebastien
Reviewed By audecuba - Dijon, France
Excellent restaurant avec des calmars à la plancha succulent rapport qualité prix très bien tapas très bon,crème catalane aussi tout comme le bar ou la daurade.Très bon cocktail généreux .Très bon rapport qualité prix. A essayer et nettement meilleur que sur le front de mer de banyuls proche de la plage ou les restaurateurs en profitent et ou les plats ne sont pas très frais
8. Jardin Mediterranean du Mas de la Serre
Overall Ratings
3 based on 19 reviews
Reviewed By 2J66 - Argyll
We came across this garden whilst using a nearby picnic site above the town of Banyuls sur Mer. Unfortunately it was a Monday and was closed but we decided to return a couple of days later and we were glad we did. Although centred around a terraced garden with different themes there are also fascinating Exhibitions relating to the unique biodiversity of the Mediterranean area. A card with a map of the site was provided in English along with an illustrated list of many of the plants. The latter is in French but if you have a little knowledge of garden plants then you will find that this is just fine and informative. If you visit Gardens for pleasure at any time then don't miss this one. It's a bit steep and rough in places but that adds to the charm and interest. For those visitors who also have an interest in birds then if you keep your eyes open you might see hoopoes or golden orioles - we did.
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9. Eglise Saint-Jean-Baptiste
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Pierre G - Toulon, Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur, France
Dite la "Rectorie", cette ancienne église paroissiale de la ville, dédiée à Saint-Jean-Baptiste, doit son appellation locale à l’un de ses curés, Jean Banyoles, élevé en 1502 à la dignité de Recteur.
Romane à l’origine (12ème), elle subit au cours des siècles des transformations, pour acquérir, au 18ème, la forme que nous lui connaissons : une nef voûtée en berceau plein cintre et bordée d'arcs longitudinaux, à laquelle une seconde nef, d'égale longueur mais plus étroite, a été ajoutée, sans doute au 18ème siècle.
La façade est surmontée d'un clocher-mur, percé de trois baies campanaires et une tourelle extérieure, carrée, en briques, donne accès au clocher.
Collée au cimetière dont elle semble protéger l’accès, l’église où fut fondée en 1623 une Confrérie du Rosaire est aujourd’hui le lieu privilégié de Concerts.
Remarquez : sous le fronton triangulaire, le beau et grand portail en plein cintre et à multiples rouleaux, dont seuls les arcs ont été ornés de damiers, demi-boules, têtes et personnages.
Inscrite aux Monuments Historiques par arrêté en date du 29 mai 1962.
