A Dream Week in the South of France: Hidden Beaches, Charming Towns For A Sun-Soaked Escape
Collioure
7 Days in Southern France: Exploring Collioure, Perpignan & the Pyrenees Coastline
Craving a slow-travel escape packed with coastal beauty, vibrant culture, and fewer crowds than the French Riviera? This one-week itinerary through the Pyrenees-Orientales region in the South of France is the perfect blend of beach days, postcard-perfect villages, and local charm.
From the pastel harbour of Collioure to Perpignan’s world-famous photojournalism festival, this underrated corner of France offers the kind of laid-back magic you’ll be dreaming of long after your return.
Better still, it’s budget-friendly, far less touristy than Nice or Marseille, and ideal for photography lovers and cultural explorers alike. Whether you're looking to relax on quiet beaches, wander cobbled streets, or discover new stories through your lens—this is the France you didn’t know you needed.
Why the Pyrenees-Orientales?
Pyrenees Mountains
The Pyrenees-Orientales in southern France is an underrated gem. This region hugs the Mediterranean coast and borders Spain, which gives it a unique mix of French and Catalan culture.
Expect:
Sparkling blue waters
Rugged cliffs and peaceful coves
Colourful fishing villages such as Collioure
Small cities like Perpignan with rich history and vibrant markets
Early September was the perfect time for this trip — warm enough to enjoy the beaches, but not so hot that I felt restless. I’m not one for sitting still too long, so cooler days meant I could stay active and explore without melting in the heat.
For this trip, I packed light on camera gear and brought my Leica M6 — as I hadn’t yet bought the M11. Most of the photos you’ll see in this post, though, were shot on my iPhone 15 Pro.
Quick Overview of The Trip
Day 1 Travel DayMissed my flight → 27-hour journey to Perpignan by land
Day 2 Sainte-Marie-la-Mer Relaxing beach day
Day 3 Argelès-sur-Mer Relaxing beach day
Day 4 Perpignan Exploring the city
Day 5 Béziers Day trip and sightseeing
Day 6 Collioure (Visiting France’s Favourite Village 2024)
Day 7 Saint-Cyprien & Sainte-Marie-la-MerMore beach time
Day 8 Travel Returned hire car, early flight back from Perpignan
To Fly or Not to Fly: 27 hours of Hell
I’ll keep it short: I didn’t make my flight — anxiety got the better of me. What followed was a brutal 27-hour journey involving Ubers, coaches, and trains with delays, all while running on zero sleep. By the time I reached Sainte-Marie-la-Mer from Coventry (and £207 poorer), I’d been awake for nearly 43 hours. I might write a separate post about that journey and how I’m learning to manage flight anxiety.
Needless to say, I got on the plane for the return trip, much to the delight of everyone else. The flight back to Birmingham was a smooth 2.5 hours with just a few bumps.
If you’re planning a trip, flights to Perpignan are usually cheap — around £60 from Birmingham with Ryanair in September (excluding extras). London and Leeds offer similar prices, and there are even cheaper options flying into Béziers or Girona if you don’t mind a scenic drive over the border.
Top Tips
Car Hire: Get one at Perpignan Airport—haggle for a good deal!
When to Go: September is ideal—warm but not hot, and less crowded.
Accommodation: Look about on Airbnb the villa in Sainte-Marie-la-Mer was Walking distance to beach, shops, and restaurants. Highly recommend!
Photographers: Buy film in the UK and travel with it rather than buying in France to save money.
Airbnb: Villa - Sainte-Marie-La-Mer
This was a family trip that saw me stay in Sainte-Marie-La-Mer in an amazing four bedroom villa with a pool that can be rented here on Airbnb. This cost us £1366 so for five adults, working out at £39 per night each.
This has been by far the best Airbnb that I have stopped in due how nice it was, walking distance to beach (3 minute) and then a 2 minute walk to the main road with shops and a host of restaurants ranging from seafood to grill and even pizza takeaway.
Perfect!
Best beaches in Occitanie France: Relaxing and Swimming
Sainte-Marie-La-Mer Beach in the Morning
Sainte-Marie-La-Mer Beach in the Evening
Canet-en-Roussillon Beach
Canet-en-Roussillon Beach
I’ve never been great at relaxing — in fact, sitting still usually makes me more stressed. I’m the type of person who always needs to be doing something. But there’s something about the ocean that slows me down. The cool water, the rhythm of the waves, and that endless horizon that I can look all day and wander what is behind it — it’s the only place where my mind really settles.
Staying just a three-minute walk from the beach in Sainte-Marie-la-Mer was perfect. Most mornings, I’d quietly leave the villa while everyone else was still sleeping and wander down for a solo swim. The early morning light, the sound of gentle waves rolling in, and the coolness of the sea made it the best way to start the day.
Timing it just right meant I could stop at Boulangerie La Chocolatine on the way back for croissants still warm from the oven — honestly, it doesn’t get better than that.
Evenings had their own rhythm. I’d go for another swim around sunset, then take a peaceful 30-minute stroll along the shoreline to Sainte-Marie Plage and back. With the golden light fading and the tide brushing the sand, it became my favourite part of the day to relax to before relaxing back at the villa and going to sleep.
From a photography point of view, I was really taken by the lifeguard towers on the beaches — each one a different colour, shape, and design, full of character and so much more interesting than anything I’ve seen back in the UK.
All three photos below were taken on my Leica M6 with Ektar 100 film, which I brought in France (film is more expensive in France than the Uk believe it or not!). The rich, vibrant tones of Ektar were perfect for the French sunlight — it brought out the warm colours and beach textures beautifully, without blowing out the highlights. There’s something about shooting film in that kind of light that really pays off and makes the images feel more holiday like.
Argelès-sur-Mer beach kite flyer
Perpignan & Visa pour l’Image 2024: Where Culture and Photojournalism Collide
Perpignan, can be found nestled between the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean Sea. It has a rich Catalan and French heritage from its colourful old town, historic landmarks like the Casa Pairal and the Palace of the Kings of Majorca, along over 300 days of sunshine, it’s the perfect spot to soak up the sun and culture.
There’s a number of good restaurants (Casa Sansa is very good), shops and sights to see as you walk round the city, you can walk down the canal and visit the Musee D'Art Hyacinthe Rigaud which is a beautifully restored museum showcasing an impressive collection of art spanning from Gothic to modern, including works by Hyacinthe Rigaud, Maillol, Picasso, and Dufy, all housed in a stunning 18th-century mansion.
Public transport such as buses run to and from Sainte-Marie-La-Mer quite regularly and is cheap and quick.
Just by chance and lucky for me each September, the city becomes a global hub for photography during Visa pour l’Image, the world’s leading photojournalism festival focusing on pressing issues from around the world. In 2024, 26 exhibitions took over churches, galleries, and public spaces, best of all its is all free!
A standout theme this year was the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with three Palestinian photographers receiving top honours for their moving coverage of life in Gaza, Loay Ayyoub winning the top prize. I also really love that the festival features open air screenings, talks, and portfolio reviews which allows everyone to get involved at some level.
Photojournalism and street photography are a passion of mine, that I am still chipping away as I find it difficult to get close to subjects, always questioning what is interesting and breaking the cliche. I am hoping that travelling to different places presents me with a theme or a subject that I can submerge myself into and who knows, maybe I’ll get a picture shown at one of the Visa pour l’Image festival.
If you’re in the area in early September, it’s well worth timing your visit to see the festival.
Le Castillet MUSEE CASA PAIRAL
Visa pour l'Image - Perpignan 2024 International Festival of Photojournalism
Pastel building in the city
A Day Trip to Béziers: History, Views & Laid-Back Charm
Just over an hours drive from Sainte-Marie-La-Mer, Béziers is one of France’s oldest cities and is a great day trip if you’re after a mix of history and relaxed exploring.
You can see the Saint-Nazaire Cathedral from afar as it’s set on a hill (see picture below). When you have found your way to the Cathedral, make sure you look over the wall as it offers stunning views over the River Orb and farm fields.
Walking around the surrounding Old Town you will see its charm of winding lanes, quiet squares, and local cafés, if your feeling adventurous you might even run through the water fountains to cool off, but be quick to not get soaked.
It’s also worth popping down to the shopping centre Polygone Béziers, as there’s a number of good shops, restaurants and the best toilets in the world! despite the confusing method of paying to get in.
Béziers is a fantastic way to relax, take in some history, get a great coffee and have a break from the coast.
A Colourful Day in Collioure: France’s Favourite Village of 2024
Collioure Port
Royal Castle of Collioure rising above the Mediterranean
Plage de Collioure with locals and visitors enjoying the calm bay
Collioure is like stepping into a postcard, its a lovely small, radiant seaside town where pastel-painted houses tumble down into turquoise bays, and life seems to slow down, matching the rhythm of the waves.
It’s no wonder this place was voted France’s Favourite Village in 2024 — it's irresistibly charming.
We started our day wandering around the iconic Royal Castle of Collioure (Château Royal), which dominates the town’s shoreline. The stone walls, once a medieval fortress and summer residence for the Kings of Majorca.
The town's personal beach is framed by fishing boats, colourful façades, and the dramatic Chapelle Saint-Vincent, perched right at the water’s edge. This chapel, set on a rocky outcrop, makes for an atmospheric spot to pause, especially with the sound of the sea gently crashing around it, this is a great opportunity to take some long exposure images.
The Port of Collioure is alive with colourful sailboats and small fish that dance just under the water surface. As you wander around the Ansa de la Baleta, you’ll find small galleries, cafés, and photo-perfect corners every few steps. The light here has long drawn artists like Matisse and Derain, and you quickly see why as the sun hits the colourful houses just right.
Collioure isn’t just pretty — it’s peaceful, warm, and full of soul. One day really isn’t enough here and I’d love to go back and stay a few more days. It’s the kind of place you think about long after you leave, especially once you’ve had a cold drink by the sea with your feet in the sand.
Chapelle Saint-Vincent silhouetted against the sea
Sailboats in Port de Collioure
Houses along the bay of Ansa de la Baleta glowing in the afternoon light
Video of Collioure
Final Thoughts
This was my fourth time in this region, and I still find new reasons to return. The culture, food, light, and relaxed pace make it perfect for families, couples, and solo travellers.
If you want to escape the crowds of Nice and discover France’s hidden gems, head south to Perpignan, Collioure, and the Pyrenees coastline.
The villages, towns and cities offer something for everyone, especially the foodies and those that just want to slow down and relax in the sun. Travel photographers this is an area mixed with different landscapes and those who love photojournalism then seeing the Visa pour l'Image - Perpignan International Festival of Photojournalism 2025 or even 2026 is an absolute must.
Got any questions, or stories from your own French adventures? Let’s connect in the comments below—or follow my photography journey on Instagram @deanomooreo for more photography and travel inspiration.