This portion of the shoreline became known as the "Vermillion" coast in the 19C due to the pinkish red tinge of the rocks at sunrise and sunset. The waves crash against this rocky landscape, where fishing ports and marinas are tucked away in sheltered coves, and the sea takes on a whole range of blues. The roads along the ridges and shoreline wind their way past lovely natural sites. The only drawback is the heavy traffic in summer...

Thise very beautiful late 14C building was the home of a merchant navy tribunal. The boat-shaped wind vane on the corner of the building symbolised the seafaring activity of the Roussillon.

Works by Picasso (from the Céret period (1909-50) and from the 1960s-70s), Toni Grand, Joan Brossa, Perejaume, Viallat, Tàpies, Dominique Gauthier, Jean-Louis Vila, Susana Solano and Jean Capdeville adorn this modern building designed by the architect Jaime Freixa from Barcelona. Spacious galleries are arranged around patios which let in the light and enhance the works on display. Note the entrance doorway, flanked by a brilliant diptych on enamelled lava blocks by Antoni Tàpies.

This palace was built with the coming of the ephemeral Kingdom of Majorca (1276-1344) created by Jacques I le Conquérant for his young son Jacques II. The Tour de l'Hommage leads to the ceremonial courtyard with its two levels of galleries. There is a lovely ceiling painted in Catalan colours in the queen's chamber. The Donjon-Chapelle Sainte-Croix houses two sanctuaries in the flamboyant style. The upper chapel has a lovely Romanesque portal.