A few words about Perpignan

Lying in southern France, on the Mediterranean coast, close to the border with Spain, Perpignan is the capital of the Pyrenees-Orientales departement. Historically, Perpignan was the capital of the county of Catalonia or Roussillon. A sizable part of its population is of Spanish origin; there are also many North African immigrants including French settlers who were repatriated from Algeria after the country gained its independence in 1962.
The area has a favourable Mediterranean climate, with 2500 hours of sunshine a year. Wine, olive oil and cork are the region's traditional products.
Although the history of the area goes back to Roman times, Perpignan itself was probably founded in the early 10th century, and soon became the seat of the Counts of Roussillon. Under the Treaty of Corbeil (1258), Louis IX renounced French feudal rights over Roussillon to the Aragonese king Jaume (James) I the Conqueror. In 1276, James I created the Kingdom of Majorca, and Perpignan served as capital of the new kingdom's mainland territories. The city prospered, luxury crafts such as goldsmith's work and leatherwork developed. In 1344 King Peter IV of Aragon rejoined the Kingdom of Majorca under the crown of Aragon. Several years later, the city was devastated by the plague. The French king Louis XI annexed it in 1463, but Charles VIII restored it to Ferdinand II of Aragon in 1493. France finally gained Roussillon, including Perpignan, under the Treaty of the Pyrenees in 1659.
The city is not overly rich in historical monuments but is a charming place to explore on foot. The old town has been renovated and pedestrianized. The few architectural landmarks include the castle of the Kings of Majorca and the St. John the Baptist Cathedral. The two-storey castle was built in the 13th century, surrounded by ramparts. The Moorish influence can be felt in the elegant arcaded courtyard and in the marble porch to one of the chapels. The castle was further reinforced at the orders of Louis XI and Charles V. Vauban, Louis XIV's famous military engineer, made improvements to the castle and built walls around the town but the latter were demolished in the early 20th century. The 14th-century St. John Cathedral was built in layers of stone and brick. It contains an elaborate altarpiece and a famous wooden crucifix. Campo Santo next to the Cathedral is one of the oldest cemeteries in France. The church of St. Jacques by the Miranda Gardens is another elegant Catalan building.
The Gothic Loge de Mer in Place de la Loge, designed to accommodate the city's stock exchange, stands out with its lacy balustrades and gargoyles. Next to it rises the Town Hall with its beautiful wrought iron gates. You can visit Casa Pairal, a museum of Catalan folk culture, religious art and local crafts. The Rigaud Museum exhibits works by Perpignan-born portraitist Hyacinthe Rigaud who was the official painter of the Versailles court in the 18th century. The museum also contains works by Maillol, Picasso and other artists.
The Arab quarter of Perpignan is a maze of narrow lanes, dilapidated houses and North African shops and cafes. If you have a taste for adventure, you can visit the open-air market in Cassanyes square.
Perpignan is an excellent starting point for an exploration of the eastern Pyrenees and of the Cathar castles in the Corbieres region. The small town of Elne south of Perpignan used to be the capital of Roussillon and is worth visiting for its fortified Romanesque cathedral and a beautiful cloister with one Romanesque and three Gothic sides that make up a surprisingly harmonious ensemble. If the beach is your passion, Canet Plage is the nearest place where you can enjoy the warm waters of the Mediterranean.