One of most favorite writers is the late Patrick O'Brian. He lived the last 50 years of his life in Colliore in French Catlonia. Anybody know anything about it?

We spent the better part of a day there this summer. It is indeed a colorful and picturesque village and harbour. The train schedule from Montpelier seemed unclear -- the schedules were changing that week in September, so when we arrived in Colliore we confirmed when the next train would be leaving. We got back to the station before noon to catch that train, but it never showed up. Inside the station they called somewhere and found out that the train wasn't coming -- no explanation, but there would be one at 1:30. That one never came either. Finally at about 3:00 a train did arrive -- this one totally unscheduled. I bring this up because it seemed to be the way the whole town operated. We stopped along the "beach" to get coffee and breakfast at a place that seemed to be open in the morning. After one guy setting up tables ignored us sitting at a table clearly already set up for about 15 minutes, we finally asked for help. He informed us that they weren't open. We'd probably still be sitting there today if we hadn't asked. I bring all this up not to complain. Actually I loved this whole laid back attitude that seemed to hover over this town. Can't help you with accomodations, but we passed several small hotels that looked charming, some right near the fort/castle and the harbour. I think it would be a wonderful place to while away a few days.

Is this in the French Basque lands maybe? I think (I know) Catalonia is strictly in spain, but the Basque people, language, country span both.

Confused : No..Catalonia (as defined by its language and history)include a little part of french territory, north of the Pyrennees mountains. But this part is usually called "Rousillon".

My wife & I spent two nights there in May '97 and enjoyed it. It's recommended by Rick Steves (see his web site), and we saw tourists there from Europe and a few from US. Stayed in a small hotel on hillside overlooking the small harbor; very reasonable ($50? /night), about 1/4 mile or less walk to center of town. Lots of restaurants and artists. Beautiful photo ops if sun is right. Daytripped to Spanish border and another French village. E-mail if you have questions.

You will find the Basque area in the extreme southwest corner of France, and across the border in Spain. Spanish Basques have been much more militant over the years! As for Collioure, it really is a lovely harbour, with a good variety of restaurants, a nice beach area, and a 17th-century castle. Not far south into Spain is Figueras - for those interested in Salvador Dali, you will find the museum which he designed, containing a wonderful collection of his works.

We stayed at the hotel Les Trois Mas in the autumn about 18 months ago. It is a fascinating hotel built into the cliff face. It has a woderful position right on the bay. The restaurant was superb. You can walk round the sea front into the main centre of Collioure. <BR>We really loved Collioure. It is very close to the Spanish border and there seemed to be a large number of people pasing through on their way to Spain. We especially noticed a very large number of Swiss cars, but also German and Dutch. There are a lot of picture galleries there and also sardine sellers. Sardines are a speciality of the area. I'd go back tomorrow.

Ann, was the hotel you stayed at right down by the water or higher up? And as you stood in the center of town facing out to the water, was it to the right or left? I'd like to know for future reference. We spotted two really neat looking places, both sort of built into the cliffs, one low, more at the water's edge and one higher up, but never got the name of either one. The lower one seemed to face back inward more to the bay, the fortress, and the city, while the other one was higher up with quite a panorama.

We stayed in Colliure last October. We called it our vacation from a vacation. We were over there for two months. Traveling by train. This was a wonderful laid back five days. We stayed at a small hotel with a balcony overlooking the harbor. We would sit out there everyday with our french bread and wine while watching the harbour scene. We loved the town. It was difficult making train connections from there however.

Patrick, it's the hotel right down by the water - it has direct access to the beach, and you reach it by going out of town towards Port-Vendres. With your back to the town and facing out to sea, it would be to your right. website is http://www.chateauxhotels.com/troismas