Perpignan is a small town in the Languedoc region of southern France. It is the ideal spot for lovers of mountains, the sea, culture, history and art. It has mile upon mile of sandy beaches close by, and is definitely a cultural center to be visited by everyone visiting south-west France, the Mediterranean or northern Spain.



The city of Perpignan is located in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of France. Situated on the Mediterranean coast, as a hinterland it has the Pyrenees mountains and the Corbieres wine-growing region. It is the southernmost city in France.

But it doesn't stop there! Perpignan also has a most interesting history, and is equally famous for its fascinating architectural sights as it is for the modern-day tourism. The railway station in the town was made world-famous by the surrealist artist Salvador Dali, who not only painted its ceiling but also gave it the strange title of the "cosmological center of the universe".

Perpignan is old, very old! The area surrounding the city, formerly known as Ruscino (which lent its name to the whole of the region), was inhabited from the sixth century BC, and was a major trading partner with the Greek nations. In the second century BC it was taken possession of by the invading Celts. Howevern Perpignan as it is known today came into being during the middle ages when it belonged to the Counts of Roussillon who made it their headquarters. The city later on was bequeathed to the King of Aragon, in northern Spain, before passing into the hands of the kingdom of Majorca. Many of the remaining historical features of the town date from this period.

Perpignan is also well-known for being the owner of one of the most amazing and unusual carillons. It is the last surviving operational carillon that possesses a range of four full octaves. It dates from the 19th century, being constructed in the famous French bell foundry belonging to Amadee Bollee and Sons from Mans. Before being installed in the church at Perpignan, it was exhibited at the Universal Exhibition in Paris in the year 1878.

The carillon is owned by the town and in 1996 it was fully restored to its original glory by the French carillon experts, Herepian. Since being restored, carillon players have been employed, and nominated by decree of the church, to demonstrate the instrument at its best. And since it was electrified in 1956, every day in the morning, mid-day and evening, a player will sit at the keyboard and play the Angelus prayer.

There are four museums in Perpignan, all possessing outstanding collections. Firstly there is the Museum of Catalan Art and Traditions. Then there are the renowned Museum of Coins and Medals and the Natural history Museum. Then there is the glorious Hyacinthe Rigaud Museum of Painting.

In a city the size of Perpignan it often surprises the visitor just how much land is given over to grass and parkland. In fact the city is home to a huge quantity of nesting birds of many species thanks to all this greenery. The central city itself indeed embraces a good 130 hectares of parkland, whilst the outlying areas contain over 2000 hectares of cultivated land passed through by a river. The result is a veritable natural sanctuary for a variety of wildlife and bird species.

Moving on to the culinary arts, naturally enough the native cuisine of Perpignan is of Catalan origin - a gastronomic experience not to be missed if you are new to these parts.

So there you have it, Perpignan in a nutshell - city of history, art, culture and not forgetting the wonderful Mediterranean sea right on its doorstep - Perpignan has it all and is the ideal location as a starting point for visiting the Mediterranean shores of southern France.