France > France regions > Languedoc-Roussillon > Pyrenees-Orientales > Perpignan
Perpignan
Perpignan is found 15km inland from the Languedoc coast, north of the border with Spain.
Salvador Dali declared that Perpignan was the centre of the world - something of an exaggeration perhaps. The town is a lively, modern town, with its roots as an active centre dating to the early Middle Ages.
The town has few individual sights of great interest. The cathedral is attractive enough, although it looks little like a cathedral, and the Palace of the Kings of Majorca stands out in its own way as noteworthy.
But Perpignan is for you if you are looking for a pleasant 'normal' French town to simply spend some time, look in some shops, take a drink, and relax. The part of the town between the 14th century entrance gate at Castillet and the Place de la Loge, and then south to the Palace of the Kings of Majorca, is the most interesting for visitors, and there are several attractive medieval buildings dotted around this central section.
Be sure to explore the narrow alleys around the cathedral in the Arab Quarter, for a taste of a different Perpignan.
Perpignan is a good place to stay if you are hoping to explore the western Pyrenees a little, perhaps visit a couple of the cathar castles, and also have access to the Languedoc beaches.
The closest beach to Perpignan is at Canet Plage, east of the town. When we visited the beaches along this section of the coast we found them rather overdeveloped and a bit featureless, but we didn't visit all of them, and if you have children who simply must see the sea...
Perpignan: tourist information, map, travel plans and gites
Plan a visit to Perpignan, France
Hotels Perpignan
Holiday rentals / travel
Property for sale Perpignan |
|
Map of Perpignan, France |
Places to visit - Perpignan
Explore places within about 70 kilometres on a map at Visit Perpignan.
Some of the closer places are listed below (distances from Perpignan are approximate and direct - as the crow flies. Only places listed on the france this way site are shown!)
- Banyuls Wine and harbour town at 35 km
- Castelnou Most beautiful village at 23 km
- Ceret Pretty artistic town at 19 km
- Collioure Fishing and Fauvists harbour at 28 km
- Elne Town at 14 km
- Fort de Salses Historical fort at 16 km
- Argeles-sur-Mer Seaside resort at 22 km
Tourist Classifications for Perpignan
- Listed as "Ville d'Art et Histoire" (ie focus on preserving the town heritage)
Information and photos
This travel guide has information, holidays and photos of Perpignan when available. If you have any photos or relevant information please send them to us! Full credit will be given if they are used.
See schedule of airlines and flights to Perpignan
