Portbou is a small town, by the Mediterranean Sea on the border between France and spain . It belongs to the Girona province and more particularly to the Alt Emporda. Etymologically, Portbou means Fisherman Harbour , the bous were typical small fishing boats.

The oldest records concerning Portbou date back from the 10th Century. The monastery of Saint Quirze de Colera had then a fishing right there. Later, in the 18th Century the monastery of San Pere de Besalu is given the fishing rights and asks the King Carlos 4th the permission to inhabit the mountain of Portbou . In 1872, the railway is inaugurated, as well as the Customs so much so that the population grows rapidly. In 1885, Portbou becomes the capital of the district of Colera. In 1934 Portbou secedes from Colera.

The train station of Portbou was inaugurated in 1929, during the Universal Exhibition of Barcelona. It is the terminus of the French railway network and is run jointly with the train station of Cerbčre which is the terminus of the Spanish trains.

Portbou also shelters a yachting harbour which has just been constructed and can house 300 boats.