Perpignan City Guide
| fast facts |
population
160,000
getting there
nearest airport: Perpignan (approx 6km)
getting around
buses from €1.05 single
tourist office
Palais des Congrès
Place Armand Lanoux
66002 Perpignan
tel: 04 68 66 30 30
email: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
main public holidays
1 January
Semaine Sainte – Easter week
23 April – Sant Jordi (St Georges) Day
1 May - Labour Day
8 May - Fête de la Victoire 1945
14 July - Bastille Day
15 August
1 November - All Saints Day
11 November - Armistice Day
25 December
Perpignan hotels
Overview
Historically the capital of the Catalan Comarca of Rosselló it is now the capital of the French department of Pyrénées Orientales within the province of Roussillon and although proud and vocal? About its Catalan identity there's a real mix of cultures and nationalities here. Perpignan or to give its full title Perpignan la Catalane (Perpinyà in Catalan) now has a very diverse population with a large number of Spanish Catalans who came over the border fleeing Franco's dictatorship, Romany's and North Africans from the former colonies of France. It all adds to the atmosphere and flavour of the city although unfortunately it has also become a stronghold for Le Pen's ultra right Front National party.
Although the medieval walls were demolished to make way for the expansion Le Castillet (a fortified, red brick building) still remains and, along with the River Basse, separates the the old and new towns and is an emblem of the city. Almost all of the old town is pedestrianised and its maze of narrow streets and small specialist shops and boutiques make for very pleasant walking and window shopping.
The New town is in most parts attractive with wide avenues lined with plane and palm trees and the beautiful Promenade des Platanes and Square Bir Hakeim park area, which is also where you'll find the Palais de Congrès and the main tourist office.
Highlights
Le Palais des Rois de Majorque - 4 rue des Archers
Perpignan's most important monument and one of the best examples of medieval architecture in southern France. Initially the residence of Jaume I of Mallorca followed by his successors and conquerors.
Opening hours: Jun – Oct 10 am - 6 pm daily Oct - May 9 am - 5 pm Admission 4€ adults, 2€ students & children (free under 7)
Cathédrale St-Jean
This cathedral dates from the 14th and 15th centuries.
Visiting hours daily from 9 – 12 and 3 - 7 pm. Admission is free.
Le Castillet
The only surviving fragment of the medieval walls and now home to the Casa Païral, a museum of French Catalan culture and history.
Eating & Drinking
general areas
Place de la Loge - Cafés and Brasseries
Quai Vauban – Riverside Cafés and Restaurants
restaurants
Brasserie L'Arago – French – 1 Place Arago – tel: 04 68 51 81 96
le Vauban – French - 29 Quai Vauban – tel: 04 68 51 05 10
Palmarium – French (self service) – Place de la Loge
Casa Sansa – Catalan – 3 rue Fabriques-Nadal – tel: 04 68 34 21 84
La Villa Duflot – French - 109 ave. Victor Dalbiez – tel: 04 68 56 67 67
Nightlife
Though not famous for its nightlife the streets around place de la Loge have the highest concentration of bars in town and for clubs there are a few in the centre including Le Napoli, 3, Place De Catalogne and Uba-Club, 5 boulevard Mercader.
Shopping
For regional products including food, textiles and ceramics and small independent boutiques head for the old town and for bigger clothing chains and other retailers the new town has a fair selection
Festivals
Fête de la Sant Jordi 23 April
A festival to celebrate St Georges day (Sant Jordi) the patron saint of Catalunya
Les Estivales – July
Street festival of Music, Dance and Theatre which runs throughout July
Marché médiéval – mid september
The streets are taken over by mediaval markets and displays
Jazz Festival – October
Runs for the whole month of October
tips
The 'Passeport Musées' gives you access to four of the city's museums for €6. Unfortunately this doesn't include the Palais des Rois although the 'inter-site' card, available for free from the tourist office gets you a discount here and at many other museums and monuments throughout French Catalunya.
