Perpignan embodies an ideal South: both gentle and gentle, proud and hospitable, warm, secret and festive, it receives the doors of the Iberian Peninsula. It is a Catalan capital, and it is a high standard of the emblematic colors of its blood and gold flag, faithful to its traditions and language. Epicurian, it puts its soil forward in the glass and plate! There is no need to go far: center of the world for Dali, a horn of abundance between sea and mountain, this is a corner of paradise that already smells of Spain.

Balad in the heart of a kingdom

With 360 days of sunshine a year, Perpignan is the southernmost city on the map of France. The one that was attached to the Hexagon only in 1659 gives the impression of being no longer truly in France. A sensation that is confirmed from the beginning in the city, original by its heritage, traditions, but also its language. The signs of the agglomerations are bilingual and Catalan is taught in schools as a full language. All you need is a walk in the heart of the city so that history can be told. From the imposing palace of the kings of Majorca, which dominates the city in the Castillet, through the cathedral and its cloister-cemetery, the Campo Santo, the heritage is extremely well preserved. The historic center is typical with its narrow alleys to shelter from the sun, its shady avenues of trees and palm trees, and its beautiful squares where fountains murmur.

Traveling in a flourishing history

Perpignan knew his golden age with the «kingdom of Mallorca», whose palace, both residence of the sovereign and fortress, required 35 years of work. Other civilian buildings bear witness to this prosperity, gathered in the heart of the city where drapiers, dyiers, tanners, goldsmiths, painters and sculptors were officiated. Stop at the town hall, old House of Consuls, whose inner courtyard serves as a backbone to the Mediterranean, a bronze of Maillol, the child of the country. Its beautiful facade in cayroux next to the Lodge de Mer, seat of commercial transactions in the xivth century. Lift your eyes up to the gurgles and enjoy the lush scenery.

That is how you go from treasure to treasure: Casa Julia, Corts Palace, Orfèvres Square, Casa Xanxo… Push the doors behind the patios that protect from wind and heat. The old university (rue du Musée), which dates back to the eighteenth century, currently houses the archives of the city. The Hotel Pams (rue Émile Zola) shows the art of living of the rich local bourgeoisie in the nineteenth century.

Some museums mark the journey through the city. The Fine Arts pays tribute to the Catalan painter Hyacinthe Rigaud, a portrait artist at the court of Louis XIV; his works coexist there with those of Ingres, Géricault, Picasso or Dufy. In the family, the natural history museum preserves a beautiful mummy, a Siam crocodile and a Bengal tiger! For girls, foresee a detour by the Bella Dolls Museum, mythical before the Barbie, manufactured here in Perpignan between 1946 and 1984.

If the desire then takes you to make a canvas, go to the cinema Le Castillet, built by Joan Font in 1911 and always in the same family; Its renovated white baroque facade flirts anachronically with the red bricks of the iconic Castillet of the xivth century which delineates access to the historic heart and once a prison. Then climb to Saint-Jacques and stroll through the market of Cassanyes Square, a real institution. Clients are typical of social diversity in this popular neighborhood; For who knows how to cook, you can find a little bit on Sunday morning, if you haven't had time to shop in the many beautiful shops in the city center.

Palm trees, bougainvilleas, magnolias, jasmins and aromas, with cactus, olive trees, figudoms, kakis, orange trees and lemon lemons loaded with ripe fruit. Perpignan is a lush garden of 130 hectares in the heart of the city. From the square Bir-Hakeim, the green lung of the city center just a stone's throw from the Castillet, the beautiful garden of the numismatic museum or the Miranda tree planted with grenadiers, olive trees and aloes, the refreshing refreshing oasis is not lacking when the mercury rises above the above. 35 ° C…

The Taste for Holidays

Catalan cuisine puts a sun concentrate under the palace; high in flavor, varied and colorful, it reflects the diversity of the landscapes of this region between sea and mountain. When the tapas plates that feel nearby Spain arrive on the table, it's simple, but what happiness! The formula serves as a meal, each pioche, according to its desires: Catalan charcuterie, anchovy anchovies, tortillas, calamars, gambas and knives, aioli and pan con tomato, all accompanied by good bottles from beautiful terroirs, powerful sunshine wines. At noon, counsel: enjoy the terraces! The slate displays menus that praise Catalan specialties. Boles of picolat, candied pork strips, Catalan lamb and rosé calf or olade cargo compete with the seafood. Here, the fish are kings, simply toasted to planxa and served with a climbing or accommodating a rivestry, maury or banyuls, known for their natural sweet wines. Keep a little room for the country's delicacies: Catalan cream, rousquils, round biscuits wrapped with white sugar, the arms of Venus or the pa d 'ou. What to do to get back as quickly as possible!

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When is it? The ubiquitous sun and the mild climate make it possible to enjoy the whole year of the richness of the architectural and cultural heritage, of the geographical diversity between sea and mountain, and of Catalan local products.

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PERPIGNAN-RIVESALTES AIRPORT

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