Where is Perpignan located?
In the south of France lies Perpignan, the “City of Light” bathed in sunshine. Nestled between the Pyrenees and the sparkling Mediterranean Sea, at the confluence of the Têt and Basse rivers, the city offers a wealth of activities, from afternoons on the beach to hikes in the mountains. Just 30 km from the Spanish border and a two-hour drive from Barcelona, adventure is always within reach. Yet Perpignan’s rich historical and cultural heritage often makes it difficult to leave once you have arrived.
The Origins of Perpignan
Although its origins date back to Roman times, Perpignan was officially founded in the 10th century. It quickly became the capital of the County of Roussillon, before France renounced its claims to the region under the Treaty of Corbeil in 1258. In 1276, James I of Aragon founded the Kingdom of Majorca and chose Perpignan as its capital. The Palace of the Kings of Majorca, completed in 1309, still stands proudly today as a testament to this glorious era.
During its golden age, Perpignan became a centre of trade and luxury, renowned for its thriving cloth, leather and gold industries, as well as its flourishing financial services. The Castillet fortress, later expanded into fortified city walls, protected the town. Yet no fortification could shield it from the devastating plague of the 14th century, which claimed nearly half of the population. Today, the city walls have disappeared, but the Notre-Dame Gate remains; once a prison, it now houses the Casa Pairal Museum. Other architectural gems not to be missed include the Basilica-Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist and the magnificent Hôtel Pams, both reflecting the city’s artistic evolution.
The Thirty Years’ War left a lasting mark on Perpignan. Besieged by French forces in 1642 during the Franco-Spanish War, the city was ceded to France under the Treaty of the Pyrenees in 1659, bringing centuries of Spanish rule to an end. Catalan identity, however, remained very much alive. Today, although relatively few residents still speak the language, Catalan heritage continues to thrive, symbolised by the proud display of both the French and Catalan flags. Annual traditions such as the solemn Good Friday procession and the Festa Major, with its Saint John’s Eve bonfires, continue to preserve and celebrate this heritage.
Perpignan, a City Enriched by Art
Perpignan has long been a centre for art and literature. Our château bears the name of Guillaume Apollinaire, one of France’s greatest modern poets and the nephew of Baron Hippolyte Despres, a former mayor of the city. Picasso cherished Perpignan as a place of retreat and inspiration, and his works are now displayed at the Hyacinthe Rigaud Museum. Salvador Dalí famously claimed to have experienced a “cosmogonic ecstasy” in Perpignan, which inspired his 1965 painting The Railway Station of Perpignan; his influence can still be felt throughout the city today, from the whimsical Dalí in Levitation statue near the station to the surrealist parade known as Le Défilé Surréaliste. Each year, the international photojournalism festival Visa pour l’Image further reinforces Perpignan’s place at the crossroads of modern art and universal storytelling.
From its medieval heritage to its contemporary creativity, from its beaches to its mountains, Perpignan embodies a vibrant identity that speaks to every traveller.