Things To Do in Perpignan
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Perpignan Attractions
Most of Perpignan's major sites are concentrated in the compact, pedestrianized old town. The huge Palais des Rois de Majorque dominates the southern side of town. West of the river lies the new town.
Place de la République is at the heart of the pedestrianized city center, whose inviting streets make it a good town for shopping. Catalan is the style indigenous to the area, seen in the textiles, pottery, and furniture. A good selection of Catalan-inspired home-decorating items is found at La Maison Quinta, 3 rue Grands-des-Fabriques (www.maison-quinta.com; tel. 04-68-34-41-62).
Try the outdoor market Marché Cassanyes, pl. Cassanyes, for fruit, vegetables, preserves, and cheap clothes. It happens daily from 7:30am to 1:30pm. The Halles Vauban is a new covered market in refurbished old buildings opened at the end of 2017. It’s full of organic food stalls, fruit, and vegetables but is also a great place for a snack or light lunch at the many cafes. It’s at Quai Vauban and is open Tuesday to Sunday 8am to 8pm. For one of the best selections of Catalan ceramics from several makers, visit Centre Sant-Vicens, rue Sant-Vicens (www.santvicens.fr; tel. 04-68-50-02-18). It’s 4km (2.5 miles) south of the town center; follow signs to Enne and Collioure.
- Religious Site
Cathédrale St-Jean
The city’s cathedral was started in 1324 but not completed until the late 16th century and built in Catalan gothic style which is very different from classic French gothic. The impressive columned nave is wide, with side chapels retaining ornate 16th and 17th-century retables…Around Town
- Historic Site
Château de Salses
This important historic site is in the hamlet of Salses, 15km (9 miles) north of the city center. Since the days of the Romans, this fort has guarded the main road linking Spain and France. Ferdinand of Aragón erected a fort here in 1497 to protect the northern frontier of his… - Museum
Le Castillet
This crenelated red-brick building is a combination gateway and fortress and the only surviving fortification from the 14th-century town walls. Climb its bulky tower for a view of the town and the surrounding narrow streets. It houses the Musée des Arts et Traditions Populaires…Around Town - Museum
Musée d’Art Hyacinthe Rigaud
A huge expansion in recent years has given this museum a new look and lots of new space. Housed in two 18th-century hôtels particuliers, just off the cafe-lined place Arago, the museum displays the history of art from the 15th to 20th centuries, concentrating on those artists who…Around Town - Castle
Palais des Rois de Majorque (Palace of the Kings of Majorca)
At the southern end of the old city, the massive Spanish citadel encloses the now restored former Palace of the Kings of Majorca. Built in the 13th and 14th centuries around a 2-story courtyard encircled by arcades, this is Perpignan’s most famous building. Entering via a huge ramp…Around Town
Perpignan Shopping
With its inviting storefronts and pedestrian streets, Perpignan is a good town for shopping. For one of the best selections of Catalan pottery, furniture, and carpets, and even a small inventory of antiques, visit the Centre Sant-Vicens, rue Sant-Vicens (tel. 04-68-50-02-18; www.santvicens.fr), site of dozens of independent merchants. You'll find it 4km (2 1/2 miles) southeast of the town center, following the signs pointing to Cabestany. In the town center, La Maison Quinta, 3 rue des Grande des Fabriques (tel. 04-68-34-41-62; www.maison-quinta.com), sells Catalan-inspired items for home decorating.
Place République is where the main food market is open Tuesday through Sunday from 7:30am-1:30pm. It's also worth a stroll down the lively rue de la Poissonnerie, where fish sellers vie for attention with delis and bars where the customers enjoy their morning glass of wine with a plate of Serrano ham.
Perpignan Nightlife
Perpignan’s cultural life is centered around the Théâtre de l’Archipel, av. Maréchal Leclerc (www.theatredelarchipel.org; tel. 04-68-62-62-00) which presents plays, concerts and children's shows year round.
Perpignan shows its Spanish and Catalan side at night, getting lively after other cities have gone to bed. Nightclubs in Perpignan open around 11pm. The streets around place de la Loge and avenue Maréchal Leclerc buzz after dark with bars and clubs.
Begin at Le Habana Bodeguita, 5 rue Grande-des-Fabriques (tel. 04-68-34-11-00), where salsa and merengue play and Cuban cocktails flow. Le O’Flaherty’s, 27 av. Marechal Leclerc (www.oflahertys-perpignan.com) is a good Irish bar with Irish beer on draft and DJs to keep you dancing from 5pm onwards. Le Cosy Club, 4 rue du Théâtre (tel. 04-68-66-02-57), is a discotheque which rings the changes with jazz, electro, and soul on different nights washed down with cocktails.
During summer, the beachfront strip at the nearby resort of Canet-Plage, 12km (7.5 miles) east of Perpignan’s historic core, lights up with seasonal bars and dance clubs that come and go with the tourist tides.
