Collioure area
 

I am trying to decide on the best town to choose as a base to explore the coastal area of Languedoc. Ideally we will visit Carcassone and possibly a town in nearby Spain. We have been to Collioure and really liked. We stayed for 2 nights in early June a few years ago. It has everything we are looking for including a charming town, good restaurants, seaside location and a decent enough beach. We travel to Florida and the Caribbean, so I do not need the beach to be the main reason for this trip. Since we are planning a summer trip and need accommodation for 4 adults and 4 kids, I am not sure if Collioure is the best choice. I know the crowds are awful in July and August. Ideally, we would like to rent a house within walking distance to the town and beach. We will rent a car but don't want to need it every day. We are also open to using a train to get to nearby towns/sights. Some suggestions I have been given are Banyuls sur Mer, Leucate and Franqui. All of these places look appealing for one reason or another. However, is there a reason we shouldn't just go back to Collioure instead?

what about Argeles? has a train station that goes carcassone/perpignan one way & barcelona the other, loads for kids to do, lovely restaurants, plentiful accommodation & the wee boats from the port only cost 10 euro return to Collioure.
Collioure is lovely though, all the coast gets busy in summer

Although not quite on the beach, Montpellier is a wonderful city. Hub and I based there and it was an easy walk to the train station. Big college town so it has a super "vibe" and you might find good places to stay.

We trained there from Barcelona.

I love Collioure too, but boy is it jam-packed in high season - unpleasantly so, IMO.

Last time we were there, we ended up going to Port-Vendres for dinner every night to avoid the crowds and have some peace and quiet. You might consider that as a place to stay. Argèles is also a good idea.

If you think Argeles won't be jam-packed in July and August, you are wrong. :-)) It sports the highest number of camping sites in the area.

Thanks for the replies. This so confusing because there seems to be so many pros and cons to each area. At this moment, since we are traveling with kids I am leaning toward Argeles. I am glad to know we can take a train to Collioure, Carcassone and Port Vendre ( and to Spain??). I think the town has a nice beach and plenty of restaurants but I understand they might not be the best restaurants. If we rent a house/apartment we can do some cooking ourselves anyway. My questions are can we realistically rent a house in Argeles that is walkable to the beach and town? I am trying to figure out the geography of the area. Are there hotels in Argeles that are good for families or is a house rental a better option?

"but I understand they might not be the best restaurants."
As everywhere there are good and bad restaurants. I know several very good ones in Argelès.
If you rent a house in Argeles-Plage, you'll be able to walk to the beach. Argeles-Village is 2 miles from the beach and won't be as convenient. See google maps to get an idea.
Yes, you'll be able to train the Spanish border and connect to a Spanish train. House rental vs hotel? this is a personal choice. This being said, Argelès is the last place I'd pick in July or August (and I live in the area).

Pvoyageuse, you recommended La Franqui and Leucate to me on the other forum and we are considering that too. I assume you would choose those places over Argeles. What is it about Argeles that you don't recommend it. The location seemed convenient and child friendly. Would you choose La Franqui or Leucate over Collioure?

"What is it about Argeles that you don't recommend it"
The crowds in summer, unless you find a rental at Le Racou which is part of Argeles but away from the main area, the pedestrian streets and the cheap stores. Leucate and La Franqui are very different from Collioure. I thought this is what you were looking for.

I haven't been exactly sure what I am looking for as I keep changing my mind! Thank you for your great suggestions. This is helpful information and I now have a sense of the different places in the area.

sunfrance.com many other good options for you. hoteldelacite.com
in Carcassonne my fav.Collioure small cute rock dirt beaches crowded nice templar castle though. Many better Vermillion
coast beaches but crowds. Might consider lecalendal.com Arles
cute will not be as crowded and cooler than the hot beaches.

Good luck!