Banyuls-sur-Mer, situated at the extreme southern end of the Côte Vermeille amid the last foothills of the Pyrenees, is the chief town of the area of Banyuls, which extends from the coast into the Albères range of hills. A well-known seaside resort with a boating harbor, it is also noted for its institute of oceanographical research, which has
an interesting aquarium.
Banyuls enjoys an exceptionally sheltered situation in which exotic plants flourish. On the Ile Grosse is a war memorial by the sculptor Aristide Maillol (1861-1944), who was born in Banyuls.