[Walk] The Fauvism Trail

On May 16, 1905, Matisse arrived in Collioure, stepping off the train and leaving his luggage, cardboard, and paints at the village's only inn, on Avenue de la Gare, with Dame Rosette.

Matisse set off to explore the village, nestled between the sea and mountains, and thought of his friend Paul Signac, who had visited in 1888 and painted several canvases.

At first glance, Collioure reveals a mountain of terraced vineyards, dry stone walls, scattered olive trees, and fig trees.

Collioure is a village tucked between a bell tower and a castle, prayers and battles, a product of a thousand-year-old history. It is an intimate connection between the sea and the land, a powerful embrace that has carved the rocks into coves and bays where color anchors and sways on the wooden boats of the Catalan fishermen. This first glance becomes foundational.

Matisse gradually abandons pointillism in favor of capturing his emotions. In front of this creative potential, he invites André Derain to join him.

For this northern man, Collioure is a luminous shock. The two painters share a bond and are in search of a new pictorial world. Together, they immerse themselves in their artistic instincts.

The artists engage with Collioure, working intensely outdoors, exploring the village to capture its variations, and immersing themselves in the emotion of the moment.

This walk invites you to discover 9 works as you wander through the streets of Collioure, or by following a guided tour (more info).

To discover the paintings in video, click here.

Henri Matisse, Collioure, 1905 André Derain, The Faubourg of Collioure Henri Matisse, Boats in Collioure, 1905 André Derain, The Lighthouse of Collioure, 1905 Henri Matisse, Collioure, 1905 Fishermen’s Boats Collioure, 1905 Henri Matisse, La Moulade, 1905 The Roofs of Collioure, 1905 Collioure, the Village and the Sea, 1905

In case of emergency, dial 112

Bus 1€
The Collioure train station (Gare SNCF) is in direct proximity to the historic town center.