Perpignan Tourist Information:
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Perpignan
is the capital of the Pyrenees-Orientales. On the River
Tet, 12 kilometers west of the Mediterranean and 30
kilometers north of the Spanish border at the base of
the Pyrenees (
PirenËus, 
Pirineus, 
Pyrénées). Catalonia
stradles the border, influencing the language and
cuisine.
English Speaking Tours in
Perpignan - Offering you discovery tours of the Perpignan
area. Tour the area in style with your bilingual
hosts
Perpignan became
French in 1659 as the result of the Treaty of the Pyrenees.
During and after the Spanish Civil War (1936-39) the city
received Spanish Republican refugees. After Algerian
independence was conceded in 1960, it became a refuge, this
time for French settlers arriving from North Africa.
The city has been a market Center for wine, fruit, and
vegetables for some time. Much of the produce is grown in
the rich plains on which the city is located. These plains
are alluvial, blessed by the abundant sunshine and water
from the Pyrenees. They are also the firthest south in all
of France, Historically Perpignan provides the rest of
France with the first fruit and vegetables of the year.
Outside the railway station stands a statue of Salvadore
Dal. A tribute to the man who helped the tourist trade by
claiming after a visionary experience that Perpignan
Railway Station was the centre of the universe. Other
places of interest include:
The Palais des Rois de Majorque. A medieval palace of the
kings of Majorca dating from the 13th and 14th centuries.
Partially restored, found in the southern part of the town.
Surrounded by the bastions of a great 17th and 18th century
citadel.
The Rigaud Museum contains a collection of paintings by
Catalan primitive artists and by the Perpignan native,
Hyacinthe Rigaud. The Castillet, a 14th and 15th century
crenellated fort that once defended the principal gate in
the city walls. (Rigaud settled in the Castillet)
Loge de Mer. the ancient "Lodge of the Sea" (14th-16th
centuries) once housed the maritime tribunal, now houses
the Venus of Maillol.
Museum of Natural
History. Includes
birds, butterflies, insects, and mummies. Open from 9h
to 12noon and from 2pm to 6pm. Tel 04 68 35 50 87
The Cathedral of Saint-Jean. 14th and 15th century in the
Gothic stryle.
The Church of Saint-Jacques (14th century)
Websites-
Perpignan Tourism
Mairie
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