8 essentials: what to see and do in Perpignan in 1 day

For many people of my generation the name perpignan, without a doubt, takes us to the final era of the Francoism with a stereotypical image.

I remind you that this city of South of France It became famous for being one of the destinations for a very special tourism, generated by the interest in watching films, both erotic and political, which at that time were prohibited by censorship in Spain.

Many years have passed since then, and I am sure that now in Spain, both those of us who belong to that generation, and the young people who are fortunate not to have lived through that time, do not have an image of what the city of perpignan and what are your attractions.

In my recent trip to Perpignan From the outset I have verified that it is a city where you can comfortably arrive in eTA From Madrid on a trip that lasts about four and a half hours, and that is practically “a stone's throw away” Barcelona.

But also from May to October you also have the option of a direct flight from the capital with Air Nostrum.

The best things to see and do in Perpignan

I have also discovered a very Mediterranean city, with a historical Center where medieval reminiscences still remain.

There you can see the great historical connection with Spain, especially through its past membership of the kingdom of Aragon.

I also remind you that perpignan, located in the so-called region of Roussillon, is also part of the history of Catalonia, and precisely for this reason the city's tourist motto defines it as the Catalan.

And it is also worth highlighting other attractions that a route through the province of Perpignan (department in France), where the beautiful coastal town of Collioure.

Now I'm going to advance you what places of interest you can see on your walk through it historic center of Perpignan.

Perpignan Castle

At the outset I will tell you that the great monumental icon of the city, and from where the walk can begin, is the one known as Castillet.

Built at the end of the 14th century, it was the main gate that passed through the medieval city wall.

El Castillet Later it became a prison, and after the French occupation the door was added Our Lady that now you will cross.

Inside the robust fortification there is a museum dedicated to the Northern Catalonia, but you also have the possibility of climbing the tower from where you can see the best view of Perpignan and the nearby mountains.

Very close you can see the building of the old Cinema Castillet, a meeting point in its day for the aforementioned film tourism.

On your walk through the narrow streets of the center of perpignan, most of them pedestrian, you should pay attention to the corners that remind you of the long history of the city.

L´Hotel Pams mansion in Perpignan

It is not easy to identify the Hotel Pams in the center of Perpignan because although there are several palaces, one of its characteristics is the sobriety of its exterior facades.

It is only when you enter the interior of these mansions that you discover the sumptuousness of this type of building.

An example is the Xanxo House, from the 16th century, in Gothic style, which currently houses the House of Art and History of Perpignan.

And another example is the pL'Hotel Pams alice, whose origins date back to the 13th century.

This palatial building belonged to a family of cigarette paper producers and its interior wealth reflects the splendor of the fabric trade from that century to the 16th century.

The current sumptuous decoration, where the paintings of the grand staircase and the central interior patio stand out, are from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Currently this palace is the headquarters of the VISA International Photojournalism Festival for the Image which is celebrated every year during the first two weeks of September.

Various events are organized at the festival, including photography exhibitions that take place in the most prominent places of the city's cultural heritage, which can be visited for free.

Republic Square in Perpignan

But the corner of perpignan Where, without a doubt, you can best see a larger group of historical buildings is behind the Republic Square, the main one in the city center.

There you find the building of the Hotel de Ville (town hall), built in various stages between the 13th and 17th centuries, an example of the so-called roussillon architecture.

In its interior patio you can see one of the artist's most famous sculptures Maillol.

Next to the town hall you have the building of the old Sea Market (now a restaurant), which dates back to 1397, and the old palace of the Diputación, from the 15th century.

Calle Paratillas, la calle de las especias

On your walk through the city center, after crossing the aforementioned Republic Square, and pass by the building of the Municipal theater, a former Jesuit college, you will arrive at the Paratillas street.

Also known as Spice Street, there you will find the atmosphere typical of the most Mediterranean cities.

It is a corner with food stores open to the street, which in some ways will remind you of a souk in a Muslim country.

And on your walk through this area of ​​the historic center you will also pass through narrow streets where the terraces of small restaurants line up.

Perpignan Cathedral

Your visit to this city in the south of France will be incomplete if you do not visit the Perpignan cathedral.

Dedicated to Saint John the Younger, the cathedral building was built between 1324 and 1509.

In style southern gothic, has a single nave in which the style organ stands out. Catholic kings from the 5.000th century, the largest in France, with more than XNUMX tubes.

On one side of the cathedral you have access to the Chapel of the Devoted Christ, where you will see a masterpiece of gothic medieval art inspired by the Franciscan mysticism of the 14th century, the Perpignan Pietà.

Church of Saint John the Elder in Perpignan

Next to the cathedral is the building of the church of Saint John the Elder.

De romantic style, was the first parish of Perpignan, and although it is closed because in the past it even housed a power plant, the portico with Romanesque sculptures will surely catch your attention. roussillons.

Now that space is occupied by the terrace of a restaurant.

Campo Santo of Perpignan

Right next to the aforementioned church you will see the Campo Santo, the only cloister-cemetery in France, with four galleries and several Gothic porticos.

In short, in your walk through Perpignan You will discover numerous corners marked by the history of this border region between France and Spain.

Pictures of Perpignan

To conclude, here is more photos of the historic center of Perpignan.