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Despite being in France, the sunny historical town of Perpignan carries an unmistakable Catalonian feeling. The brilliant ‘blood and gold’ flags of Spanish Catalonia can be seen hanging everywhere, and indeed, this town was once the Catalonia’s second city after Barcelona. With both the Mediterranean and the peaks of the Pyrenees within sight, this town offers a wonderful blend of historical Spanish ambience and natural beauty.

 

One of the major sights in Perpignan is the Castillet, a 14^th century gateway and fortress with lovely crenellated redbrick architecture. Inside is a museum housing several exhibitions of regional artefacts and cultural items from Catalonia.

 

Another of this town’s attractions is the 15^th century Spanish citadel, which sits atop a hill across the Old Town (vieille ville). Inside its sloping red-rock walls is the austerely simple 13^th century Palace of the Kings of Majorca (Palais des Rois de Majorque), where the ancient kings of Majorca once bred their lions. Perpignan had its heyday during the 13^th and 14^th centuries when Majorcan kings were at their height of power and held court here. The citadel’s towers offer amazing views of the distant Pyrenees and the Mediterranean Sea.

 

There are several nearby drivable destinations worth visiting. The best beaches near Perpignan can be found at Canet-plage, a seaside town on the clear blue waters of the Mediterranean. Another town that oozes quaintness is the vine-clad village of Tautavel, located about 25 15 miles northwest of Perpignan off of the St-Paul-de-Fenouillet road. It was here, near Tautavel, where the oldest known remains of a human were discovered in 1971. The village’s Prehistoric Museum (Musee de la Prehistoire) houses the remains.

 

Perpignan is considered one of the sunniest spots in France and there are lots of outdoor activities on hand. You can cool off at a beach minutes away by car or relax at the Basse River, where many locals lounge away the afternoons drinking beer and eating tapas, a culinary tradition inherited from nearby Barcelona. At night, the river is often the site of impromptu musical concerts.

 

Perpignan has its own airport 6 miles northwest of the town centre. The Aeroport de Perpignan-Rivesaltes has international flights to several European cities as well as some domestic routes. The larger city of Marseille is also nearby and its busier airport provides yet more flights.