This lively city just north of the Pyrénées has a very different feel to it - almost Spanish but not quite. Once the home of the Kings of Majorca and the Counts of Roussillon, it retains and celebrates its Catalan roots and many of its citizens continue to speak the language which is derived from Occitan.

Until the late 17th century Perpignan remained part of Catalonia but disputes between the French and the King of Aragon led eventually to the Treaty of Pyrénées and Perpignan became part of France.

What to see

Place de la Loge Perpignan

Start at the Place de la Loge where you will find the Tourist Office and the impressive late 14th century Gothic structure of the Loge de Mer which housed a tribunal which heard cases involving trade disputes.