After his success on 7 December 1793, Ricardos planned to evict the French from the coastal towns, Collioure and Port-Vendres.
He sent the division of Juan de Courten to the south side of the Pyrenees at Espolla.
While José de Iturrigaray and the Spanish cavalry distracted the enemy near Argelès-sur-Mer, Courten was ordered to attack the French position near the Col de Banyuls (Banyuls Pass).
On 14 December the attack was made by six or seven columns that each crossed the Pyrenees by different passes.
The attempt was a success and Delattre's troops were compelled to abandon their positions after the Spanish captured 300 French soldiers and 20 field pieces.
This action forced Delattre's division into a narrow corridor along the coast.
Gregorio García de la Cuesta replaced Courten in command a few days later.
The new commander saw that Collioure could be approached by three defiles through rough terrain.

Delattre deployed his men on a ridge covering both Collioure and Port-Vendres.
Cuesta formed his troops into columns under Castrillo, Ortig and Solano and attacked.
All three columns broke through, the French defenders fleeing in the direction of their coastal forts.
As the retreating French approached Fort Saint-Elme and Port-Vendres, both places shut their gates, refusing to admit the soldiers.
Fort Saint-Elme even fired on them.
Feeling betrayed, large numbers of men surrendered to the pursuing Spanish troops.
Saint-Elme's traitorous commander immediately surrendered the fort as soon as Solano summoned it.
Ortig called for the surrender of Port-Vendres and it also capitulated.
The remaining French troops sought refuge in Collioure or tried to break out by fighting their way north along the coast.
Delattre escaped but Fabre was killed, dying bravely at the front of one of the columns.
Cuesta sent three battalions to approach Collioure at night with torches, threatening to burn the place.
It surrendered as well.
The date of the battle is unclear.
Two sources stated that the engagement happened on 20 December.
Another authority asserted that the fighting occurred on the 21st.
A final source put the date of Collioure's surrender as 23 December.
After his success on 7 December 1793, Ricardos planned to evict the French from the coastal towns, Collioure and Port-Vendres. He sent the division of Juan de Courten to the south side of the Pyrenees at Espolla. While José de Iturrigaray and the Spanish cavalry distracted the enemy near Argelès-sur-Mer, Courten was ordered to attack the French position near the Col de Banyuls (Banyuls Pass). On 14 December the attack was made by six or seven columns that each crossed the Pyrenees by different passes. The attempt was a success and Delattre's troops were compelled to abandon their positions after the Spanish captured 300 French soldiers and 20 field pieces. This action forced Delattre's division into a narrow corridor along the coast. Gregorio García de la Cuesta replaced Courten in command a few days later. The new commander saw that Collioure could be approached by three defiles through rough terrain.
Delattre deployed his men on a ridge covering both Collioure and Port-Vendres. Cuesta formed his troops into columns under Castrillo, Ortig and Solano and attacked. All three columns broke through, the French defenders fleeing in the direction of their coastal forts. As the retreating French approached Fort Saint-Elme and Port-Vendres, both places shut their gates, refusing to admit the soldiers. Fort Saint-Elme even fired on them. Feeling betrayed, large numbers of men surrendered to the pursuing Spanish troops. Saint-Elme's traitorous commander immediately surrendered the fort as soon as Solano summoned it. Ortig called for the surrender of Port-Vendres and it also capitulated. The remaining French troops sought refuge in Collioure or tried to break out by fighting their way north along the coast. Delattre escaped but Fabre was killed, dying bravely at the front of one of the columns. Cuesta sent three battalions to approach Collioure at night with torches, threatening to burn the place. It surrendered as well. The date of the battle is unclear. Two sources stated that the engagement happened on 20 December. Another authority asserted that the fighting occurred on the 21st. A final source put the date of Collioure's surrender as 23 December.
Battle of Collioure