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What to see in Perpignan?

13 places curated by Hozy - landmarks, nature, hidden restaurants and activities. Click to discover each address in detail.

Perpignan - Loge de Mer de Perpignan
Wikipedia (fr) - CC BY-SA

Perpignan occupies a singular position: French only since 1659, it still bears Catalan imprint in its architecture, cuisine and character. The Palais des Rois de Majorque, perched on a hill south of the centre, recalls that this city was once the capital of a forgotten kingdom. The Saint-Jacques quarter, dense and working-class, gives a truer sense of the city than any brochure.

Spring and autumn offer the best conditions: summer brings dry heat and crowds from the nearby Costa Brava that sometimes overflow here. Two days suffice to explore the town on foot, including a trip to Collioure 25 minutes by train. Don't confine yourself to the Place de la Loge, often presented as Perpignan's heart though it's chiefly frequented by passing tourists.

Landmarks & heritage (8)

Loge de Mer of PerpignanWikipedia (fr) - CC BY-SA

Landmark

Loge de Mer of Perpignan

A 14th-century Gothic building at the heart of Place de la Loge, the former maritime exchange that testifies to Perpignan's medieval commercial power. One of the finest examples of Catalan civil Gothic architecture.

Palace of the Kings of MajorcaWikipedia (fr) - CC BY-SA

Landmark

Palace of the Kings of Majorca

A 13th-century medieval fortress overlooking the city, residence of the Kings of Majorca during the short-lived Catalan kingdom. Striking southern Gothic architecture with panoramic views of the Pyrenees and sea.

Perpignan Cathedral – Saint-Jean-BaptisteWikipedia (fr) - CC BY-SA

Landmark

Perpignan Cathedral – Saint-Jean-Baptiste

Southern Gothic cathedral built between the fourteenth and seventeenth centuries, with an impressive Baroque altarpiece and a bell tower of river pebbles typical of Roussillon. Houses the celebrated Devout Christ, a fourteenth-century sculpture of striking expressiveness.

Hyacinthe Rigaud MuseumWikipedia (fr) - CC BY-SA

Landmark

Hyacinthe Rigaud Museum

Fine arts museum housed in a 17th-century townhouse, dedicated to the Perpignan painter who was portraitist to Louis XIV. Remarkable collection spanning medieval Catalan painting to contemporary art, featuring works by Picasso and Maillol.

Le CastilletWikipedia (fr) - CC BY-SA

Landmark

Le Castillet

A 14th-century red-brick gate tower and unmistakable symbol of Perpignan and Catalan identity. It houses the Casa Pairal museum, dedicated to Catalan folk arts and traditions.

Campo Santo of PerpignanWikipedia (fr) - CC BY-SA

Landmark

Campo Santo of Perpignan

A 14th-century Gothic cloistered cemetery, one of the rare medieval enclosed cemeteries preserved in France. A space of absolute serenity now used for exhibitions and open-air concerts.

Palace of the Deputation of PerpignanWikipedia (fr) - CC BY-SA

Landmark

Palace of the Deputation of Perpignan

The former seat of the Catalan government of Roussillon, a 15th-century civil Gothic building adjoining the Loge de Mer. The façade is remarkable for its gargoyles and finely sculptured ornaments.

Landmark

Church of Saint-James, Perpignan

14th-century Gothic church nestled in the popular Saint-James neighbourhood, the historic starting point of the Sanch procession on Good Friday. An authentic atmosphere away from the usual tourist circuits.

Viewpoints (1)

Activities (2)

More to discover (2)

What to see in Perpignan - France? 13 places · Hozy