Relais des Trois Mas is the hotel with the view in Collioure. It sits on the rocks at the edge of the bay, a short walk from the harbor, looking straight across the water to the church bell tower and the royal castle that drew Matisse and Derain here in 1905. There are 23 rooms and suites, a pool on a terrace above the Mediterranean and La Balette, a Michelin-starred restaurant.
For a honeymoon, that combination is hard to beat at the price. You can spend the morning wandering the village, the afternoon by the pool and the evening at a starred dinner with the lights of Collioure across the water. Rooms are named after the artists who painted here and many face the bay.
It suits couples who want the south of France without Riviera prices or crowds. The rooms are not huge and the style is traditional rather than sleek, but the setting is the point. Collioure's pebbly beaches are small and summer is busy, so book well ahead for July and August, or come in May, June or September for warm water and calmer streets.
Highlights at a glance
- View across Collioure bay to the church and castle
- Michelin-starred restaurant La Balette
- Terrace pool above the Mediterranean
- 23 rooms named after painters
- Short coastal walk to the harbor
Why Couples Love Trois Mas
It gives you the postcard view of Collioure without having to share it. From the terraces you look across the whole bay: the bell tower rising from the water, the pastel houses and the castle walls. In the evening the bay goes pink and gold and the village lights come on one by one.
You are close to town but slightly apart from it. The walk to the harbor takes only a few minutes along the coast, so you can join the evening crowds for a drink and then retreat to a quiet hotel. It is the most romantic way to experience a village that can get busy in high summer.
Rooms and Suites to Book
Rooms range from compact standard doubles of about 12 square meters to suites of around 25 square meters, named after artists such as Picasso, Dalí, Chagall and Matisse.
For a honeymoon, skip the smallest rooms. Book a Chambre Balcon or a terrace room with a view of the bay, or one of the suites for more space. A private balcony where you can sit with a glass of local Banyuls wine at sunset is worth the upgrade. Ask the hotel to confirm a sea view, since not every room faces the bay. Rooms are limited and the restaurant draws diners from the region, so book both early.
Food, Drink and the Pool
La Balette is the reason many guests choose Trois Mas. The Michelin-starred restaurant, led by chef Laurent Lemal, serves a carte blanche menu built around local seafood and Catalan produce, with views across the bay. It is the natural choice for your celebration dinner; reserve when you book the room.
The pool sits on a terrace overlooking the Mediterranean, a lovely place to spend the hot hours of the afternoon. Breakfast on the terrace is a slow affair with the bay below. The Côte Vermeille is a wine region, so try the sweet Banyuls and the dry Collioure reds and whites.
Why guests fall for it
Things to Do
The village and the coast are made for slow days.
- Follow the Chemin du Fauvisme, a trail of reproductions placed where the painters worked.
- Swim at the small pebble beaches below the castle and the church.
- Taste wine at the terraced vineyards above town.
- Walk or drive up to Fort Saint-Elme for a wide view of the coast.
- Take the coastal path to Port-Vendres or Banyuls-sur-Mer.
Bring water shoes for the pebbly beaches. Summer heat can be intense, so plan hikes for early morning and swims for the afternoon.
Getting There
Perpignan-Rivesaltes Airport (PGF) is about 35 minutes by car and has connections from Paris and other French cities. Barcelona (BCN), with far more US flights, is about two hours by car, which makes a Barcelona and Collioure trip easy to plan.
There is a train station in Collioure on the coastal line from Perpignan, about 20 minutes away. A car is useful for the vineyards and the Pyrenees, but parking in Collioure is limited in summer, so ask the hotel about parking when you book.
Is It Worth It?
For couples who want a beautiful view and a starred dinner without Riviera prices, yes. The setting is exceptional and the hotel is close enough to walk into the village.
Rooms are modest in size and style and the smallest are tight for a long stay. Couples who want a large modern resort with a sandy beach should look elsewhere, perhaps toward the Riviera or Corsica. Those who want total peace in August may prefer a villa in the hills. But for a few romantic nights on the Mediterranean, Trois Mas offers one of the best views in southern France.
Insider tips
- Book a balcony or terrace room with a confirmed bay view.
- Reserve La Balette when you book your room.
- Visit in May, June or September for fewer crowds.
- Ask the hotel about parking before arriving by car.
