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Planning a trip to Perpignan
Perpignan-Rivesaltes airport (tel. 04-68-52-60-70; www.aeroport-perpignan.com; airport code PGF) has flights from a number of cities around Europe. Shuttle buses make the 5km (3 miles) journey into central Perpignan in 15 minutes.
Regular TGV trains per day arrive from Paris mostly from Gare de Lyon and some from Austerlitz (trip time: from 5 hr.); others change at Montpellier; the one-way fare starts at 29€. Trains run regularly from Marseille (trip time: from 3 hr., 5 min., depending on the route; from 21€ one-way). Train information and schedules are on www.sncf-connect.com or call tel. 36-35.
If you’re driving from the French Riviera, take the A9 west to Perpignan. Perpignan is well connected to the region's towns by bus, which is operated by CTPM at 27 bd. Clemenceau (tel. 04-68-61-01-13; www.ctpmperpignan.com). The city is also part of a bus network that charges only 1€ per journey, going as far south as Cerbère by the Spanish border. For more information, call tel. 04-68-80-80-80, or go to www.cg66.fr.Visitor Information — The Office Municipal du Tourisme is in place Francois-Arago (www.perpignantourisme.com; tel. 04-68-66-30-30).
Getting Around — The free shuttle P’tit Bus runs around the old town and to the station. Taxis: tel. 04-68-35-15-15 or 04-68-83-83-83.
Events in Perpignan — Perpignan is the only city in France to celebrate Holy Week in the same way as Spain: with remarkable processions of penitents dressed in hooded gowns. The Procession de la Sanch leaves from Eglise St-Jacques on Good Friday morning and moves through the city center, accompanied by chants and the beating of drums.
In summer, the city puts on a number of fests, including Les Soirées Rayonnantes (www.perpignantourisme.com; tel. 04-68-66-30-30) a series of free concerts and sound and light shows held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from mid-July to mid-August.
During the first two weeks of September, Perpignan is host to the most famous celebration of photojournalism in the industry, Visa pour l’Image (www.visapourlimage.com; tel. 04-68-62-38-00). Photographs are exhibited in at least 10 sites of historical (usually medieval) interest. Entrance to the shows is free, and an international committee awards prizes.
Getting There
Perpignan-Rivesaltes airport (tel. 04-68-52-60-70; www.aeroport-perpignan.com; airport code PGF) has flights from Paris, Dublin, and London, as well as other U.K. cities such as Manchester and Southampton. Shuttle buses make the 5km (3 miles) journey into central Perpignan in 15 minutes.
Regular TGV trains per day arrive from Paris mostly from Gare de Lyon and some from Austerlitz (trip time: from 5 hr.); others change at Montpellier; the one-way fare starts at 61€. Trains run regularly from Marseille (trip time: from 3 hr., 5 min., depending on the route; from 20.50€ one-way). Train information and schedules are on www.oui.sncf or call tel. 36-35 (.40€/min.).
If you’re driving from the French Riviera, take the A9 west to Perpignan. Perpignan is well connected to the region's towns by bus, which is operated by CTPM at 27 bd. Clemenceau (tel. 04-68-61-01-13; www.ctpmperpignan.com). The city is also part of a bus network that charges only 1€ per journey, going as far south as Cerbère by the Spanish border. For more information, call tel. 04-68-80-80-80, or go to www.cg66.fr.
