Reviewed in July 2011
A day in Banyuls sur Mer can be a relaxing beach experience or as full of activities as you would wish.
Take the tourist train for a visit to the Chapelle de la Salette ending with a tasting at the impressive Cave de Templiers. Learn to sail, windsurf, dive or kayak, relax and take some time out for ‘people watching’ in one of the many cafés along the pretty little horseshoe shaped bay, and enjoy local produce in street markets, and music in Place Reig.
Visit the Biodiversarium whose ticket allows entry to both the garden hanging from the cliffs above the valley of the Baillaury and the fascinating Aquarium in the Laboratoire Arago or the “Jardin Mediterranéen”. This park of three hectares overlooking the vine-covered mountains leads up to the Col de Banyuls, reflecting the richness and variety of plants that survive and flourish in a Mediterranean climate.
And after a hard day’s visiting, or wandering, why not relax in the Jardin de St Sébastien, a delightful restaurant/tapas bar at 10 Av du Fontaulé, on the opposite side of the road from the yacht harbour, try out their own wines, or have a great apero, lunch or dinner?
Facing the marina, located next door to their own wine domaine, dine inside or outside in the garden under the shade of olive and orange trees.
Specialities include tapas, grilled meats and freshly caught fish & seafood. Wines on the menu come from their own domaine. Menus start at 14,50€ and the tapas from 5 euros.
Gourmet visitors in search of a day out with a differentce should enquire about the “Circuit Découvert”.
It starts at 11am with a boat trip round the nature reserve to inspect the vineyards of St Sebastién, back to the bar for an hour’s wine tasting followed by a five course lunch with different wines with each course. Well worth the 95 euros per person.
The patron, M. Fulliquet, is full of innovative ideas. He can arrange a “taxi-bateau” from Port Vendres, where he has restaurants ‘Chez Pujol’ and ‘Le France’, for an easy transfer, and has recently opened a new wine tasting, garden restaurant in the old Dominican Convent in Collioure.
| For further information or reservations: 10 av du Fontaulé 66650, Banyuls-sur-Mer tel/fax: +33 (0)4 68 55 22 64 www.domaine-st-sebastien.com |
