Perpignan Attractions
Perpignan (Catalan Perpinyà; alt. 24 m/80ft; pop. 105,096), the old capital of Roussillon, from 1278 to 1344 capital of the kingdom of Majorca (which included the Balearics, Roussillon, Cerdagne and the coastal region extending east to Montpellier) and now the chief town of the département of Pyrénées- Orientales and the see of a bishop, lies near the Spanish frontier at the foot of the Pyrenees, at the junction of the rivers Têt and Basse, some 10km/6mi from the Mediterranean.
The history of Perpignan was closely bound up with that of the county of Roussillon. Like many other towns, it was surrounded by fortifications designed by Vauban which were pulled down around 1900 to allow the town to expand.
The central feature of the old town is the Place de la République, with the Theater. On the north side of the old town is the Castillet, a fortified town gate (1367) built of red brick (fine view from tower) which is the town's principal landmark and emblem. It houses the Casa Pairal, a museum of Catalonian folk art and traditions.
The history of Perpignan was closely bound up with that of the county of Roussillon. Like many other towns, it was surrounded by fortifications designed by Vauban which were pulled down around 1900 to allow the town to expand.
The central feature of the old town is the Place de la République, with the Theater. On the north side of the old town is the Castillet, a fortified town gate (1367) built of red brick (fine view from tower) which is the town's principal landmark and emblem. It houses the Casa Pairal, a museum of Catalonian folk art and traditions.
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Cathedral of St Jean
Perpignan's Cathedral of St Jean has fine reredos dating from the 16th and 17th C, and a high altar by Claude Perret.
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Collioure, France
(Near Perpignan)
The seaside resort of Collioure has a long history dating back to the Middle Ages. The picturesque setting with the harbor and castle has caught the attention of many famous artists.
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Loge de Mer
In the old town is the Loge de Mer which was once the home of the Exchange and the Maritime Court.
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Perpignan Citadel
For a fine view of Perpignan visit the 17th - 18th C Citadel located just south of the city. At the center of the Citadel is the medieval Palace of the Kings of Majorca.
Canet-Plage, France
(Near Perpignan)
East of Perpignan is Canet-Plage, originally a seaside resort frequented by the Perpignanais but now a highly organized holiday and leisure center. South of the town is the Etang de Canet et de St-Nazaire.
Musee d'Avions du Mas Palegry
A variety of aircraft, including a Republic Thunderflash, a Vampire and a full-size Mirage model, are on display at this museum.
A wide variety of model aircrafts, over 250, and decent number of gliders and home-built machines are also to be found in the collection.
A wide variety of model aircrafts, over 250, and decent number of gliders and home-built machines are also to be found in the collection.
Hours
June 15 to June 30
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 |
| Close | 19:30 | 19:30 | 19:30 | 19:30 | 19:30 | 19:30 | 19:30 |
July 1 to August 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 |
| Open | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 |
| Close | 19:30 | 19:30 | 19:30 | 19:30 | 19:30 | 19:30 | 19:30 |
September 1 to September 15
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 |
| Close | 19:30 | 19:30 | 19:30 | 19:30 | 19:30 | 19:30 | 19:30 |
Perpignan Museums
In Perpignan, south of Loge de Mer, is the Musée Hyacinthe Rigaud, with works by the portrait-painter Hyacinthe Rigaud (1659- 1743), paintings by Spanish and Catalan masters of the 14th-16th centuries and pictures by Ingres, Tintoretto and modern artists like Picasso, Maillol, Dufy and Calder.
The Musée d'Histoire Naturelle is devoted mainly to the flora and fauna of southern France.
The Musée d'Histoire Naturelle is devoted mainly to the flora and fauna of southern France.
Hours
June 15 to September 15
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 |
| Close | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 |
| Open | 14:30 | 14:30 | 14:30 | 14:30 | 14:30 | 14:30 | 14:30 |
| Close | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 |
September 16 to June 14
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:00 | Closed | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 |
| Close | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | |
| Open | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | |
| Close | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 |
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
1945 Victory Day (May 8)
May Day / Labor Day (May 1)
Bastille Day - France (July 14)
Assumption Day - Christian (August 15)
All Saints' Day - Christian (November 1)
Remembrance Day / 1918 Armistice Day (November 11)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Pentecost Monday (Whit Monday) - Christian (May 28)
Ascension Thursday - Christian (May 17)
1945 Victory Day (May 8)
May Day / Labor Day (May 1)
Bastille Day - France (July 14)
Assumption Day - Christian (August 15)
All Saints' Day - Christian (November 1)
Remembrance Day / 1918 Armistice Day (November 11)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Pentecost Monday (Whit Monday) - Christian (May 28)
Ascension Thursday - Christian (May 17)
St Cyprien-Plage
St-Cyprien-Plage has undergone an intensive process of modernization. It has an interesting museum with works by Matisse, Cézanne, Braque and Miró. A few kilometers inland is the attractive little town of Elne.
