Visiting Perpignan - Our advice for activities and sightseeing

» Visiting Perpignan – Our advice for activities and sightseeing

The city of Perpignan in the Pyrénées Orientales, known as the capital of Roussillon, is characterised by its strong Catalan identity and lush panoramas. It is a place that attracts tourists with its numerous attractions, including monuments and museums. Between walks and excursions, there are endless possibilities for activities for every type of visitor. Whether it is sea kayaking, canyoning in the Gorges or deep-sea diving, there is something for everyone. Here are a few ideas for visits and activities to do while visiting Perpignan.

What to visit in Perpignan ?

Between the sea and the mountains, Perpignan, in the south of France, has plenty to offer to explore. With its rich historical heritage, the city is waiting to be explored.

  • For starters, the Castillet is Perpignan’s emblem, an ancient red-brick tower built during the reign of Peter IV of Aragon in the 14th century. Today, it houses a small Catalan museum on folk art and traditions.
  • The Palace of the Kings of Majorca, where you can learn more about the history of the Kings of Majorca on a guided tour of about an hour and a half.
  • The Musée des Poupées Bella at 6, avenue du Languedoc: more than 500 dolls and artists’ photos and posters are on display at this original museum.
  • The Musée Rigaud at 16 rue de l’Ange is home to the ‘small format’ collection, with a total of 210 paintings by contemporary artists including Rigaud, Picasso, Dufy, Maillol and Miro.
  • Visit the festive town of Céret, which hosts a number of popular events, such as the Sardane festival and the cherry festival.
  • The fortress of Salses invites you for a historical tour in an exceptional natural setting between the Corbières and the lakes of Salses.
  • Villefranche-de-Conflent: take a trip to the small town of Villefranche-de-Content, surrounded by mountains. It is very popular with tourists in summer and is best visited in the morning.

Things to do in Perpignan

The Catalan city offers a wide choice of leisure activities, in addition to the sights mentioned above.

  • A boat trip is the best way to visit the coastline, as the city is just 13 km from the Mediterranean Sea. With 300 days of sunshine a year, a boat trip is a great experience to do with friends and family.
  • Thrill seekers can go canyoning in the Gorges, of which there are plenty in Perpignan. Near the village of Céret in the Albères massif, you can abseil from waterfalls, jump into chasms or slide down natural slides.
  • Relax on one of the beaches around Perpignan. Water sports are the order of the day on the large white sands, whether you dive into the sea or laze around on the small, quiet beaches or coves that line the coastline.

Perpignan, a festive city

This ancient fortress on the Mediterranean coast, with its tall, narrow houses often coloured orange, red or pink, is also a city with neighbourhoods where very different communities live and where many festivals take place. The Sardana, a popular Catalan dance, is often performed here. The city also celebrates Saint Jordi’s Day and Saint John’s Day, when the flame kept in the Castillet castle is carried to the top of Mount Canigou. The procession of the l’archiconfrérie of the Sanch is the event of Easter in the Catalan country, another chance for the city to keep its colourful traditions alive. Besides a packed calendar of festivals and events, the city also has a large number of bars, all of which exude the cosy atmosphere of the region, such as the unmissable tapas bars, typical of southern France. If you are staying on a campsite near Perpignan, you can enjoy all these festivities.

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