9 Amazing Things to Do in Perpignan
A burst of color, a dash of Catalan spirit, and a vibe that feels more Spanish than French—this southern city might surprise you...
I was SO delighted and surprised by Perpignan— it’s a vibrant, interesting city, full of deeply saturated, colorful buildings and interesting historical monuments.
The streets were clean and dotted with palm trees – sometimes the sidewalks were even paved in red marble or covered in pretty hangings (like these colorful butterflies, below).
And I’d absolutely call this a hidden gem city in France – there were hardly any other tourists. Heck, even as a France travel writer whose literal job is to know all about places to visit in France, I had only heard of this city a couple of months before I visited.
Perpignan is the southernmost city of metropolitan France and the last major French city before the Spanish border (which is about 40 km away). Because of this, it is sometimes referred to as the “entrance” to the Iberian Peninsula.
In fact, Perpignan went back and forth between the Kingdom of France and the Kingdom of Aragon (Catalan) in the Middle Ages, finally becoming French in 1659.
The city was the former capital of the province of Roussillon, and the Lords of Roussillon ruled in the city. This is not to be confused with the relatively well-known village of Roussillon in Provence, famous for its ochre cliffs.
Because of this proximity and shared history with Spain, there is a ton of Catalan (Spanish) influence and culture present in Perpignan today, with a mix of Spanish and French names for sites and buildings. Spanish painters Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso spent quite a bit of time in Perpignan and loved the city.
Suffice it to say, Perpignan is BEAUTIFUL and fascinating. Also, Perpignan used to be a very wealthy city and it shows.
9 Things To Do in Perpignan
There are so many fascinating things to do in Perpignan – don’t miss these 9 spots:
1. Palais des Rois de Majoque
Perched on a hill overlooking the city, the 13th-century Palace of the Kings of Majorca (sometimes just called the Château de Perpignan) is an impressive citadel showcasing medieval grandeur and military strength.
The palace was built by Jacques II, King of Majorca and Count of Roussillon, during a time when Perpignan belonged to the Kingdom of Majorca, not France.
The palace was designed in Gothic style, with a central courtyard, arcaded walkways, chapels, and grand halls once decorated with elaborate tapestries. It served as a royal residence, hosting banquets, councils, and parliaments during its peak.
By the 1500s, French and Spanish engineers began fortifying the complex, eventually enclosing it within a citadel. In the 1600s, King Louis XIV’s famed military engineer Vauban further strengthened the ramparts.
Today, the site is part palace, part fortress, with a mix of history, architecture, and beautifully landscaped gardens to explore.
- Hours: Vary throughout the year, but range from 9:30am-6:30pm in summer to 10am-5pm in winter.
- Entrance: €9
2. Hotel Pams
This is one of the most magnificent sites in the entire city and, after the citadel, is the next must-visit. I love beautiful historic mansions, and Hotel Pams had me practically drooling.
Note: Hôtel in French can mean an actual hotel, but it also can refer to a hôtel particulier, which is a historic city mansion.
The building was purchased by Pierre Bardou, son of the founder of the J.O.B. cigarette paper company in the mid-1800s as a warehouse. After his death in 1872, his daughter developed the property into the sumptuous mansion of today.
Every inch of the mansion is gorgeous, such as the onyx, marble, and stucco grand staircase lined with grand paintings or the beautiful ceremonial salons with Art Nouveau decor. Don’t miss the serene courtyard-turned-garden oasis filled with plants and sculptures.
- Hours: October-May: 11am-5:30pm, closed Monday; June-September: 10:30-6:30 every day
- Cost: Free
3. Le Castillet/Musée Casa Pairal
Le Castillet was originally built in 1360 as a defensive structure guarding the city’s north gate and was connected to the larger ramparts that surrounded Perpignan.
Over the centuries, it was expanded and reinforced, with a drawbridge, portcullis, multiple gates, and towers being added on. Eventually, the tower was converted into a prison in the late 1600s.
When the Perpignan city walls were demolished in the early 20th century, Le Castillet became the only part left standing. The demolition made space for new neighborhoods to house the city’s exploding population, as well as development of Haussmann-style boulevards, and public squares.
Le Castillet is now a key symbol of Perpignan, and still contains the old city gate in the structure.
Today, there’s a small museum inside the tower, but the highlight is the panoramic terrace at the top. From here, you’ll get sweeping 360° views of the cathedral, the palace, and the city below.
Cost: €2
4. Cathédrale Saint Jean Baptiste
The Saint Jean Baptiste Cathedral is Perpignan’s place of worship, and was built in 1324 in “southern Gothic” style. But due to the collapse of the Kingdom of Majorca and several changes in architects and plans, the cathedral wasn’t completed until 1509. The porch and bell tower were added later, in the 1600s and 1700s.
The final design features a massive, soaring nave—one of the most striking elements of the interior—lined with beautifully painted chapels around the perimeter.
5. Campo Santo
Campo Santo is a cemetery cloister just next to the Saint Jean Baptiste cathedral. This style of graveyard is very unique, with a large open courtyard surrounded by arched walls (the cloisters).
The central area was used as burial plots for the general population, while the cloister galleries were used as burial vaults for wealthy families.
As you walk the perimeter of the cloisters, you can sometimes see Coat of Arms emblazoned on the gallery walls.
6. Mairie de Perpiginan
The Mairie de Perpignan is the Mayor’s Office, a building that has also been known as the Palace of the Delegation. Constructed in the 1200s, it’s one of the oldest municipal buildings in France.
Still, that alone doesn’t make it a must-see—except for the beautifully preserved interior spaces.
It’s worth stepping inside to see the charming patio, with its statue and fountain surrounded by Tuscan columns dating back to the 1500s.
The main attraction, though, is the Wedding Hall. It’s a magnificent room with an ornate Hispano-Moresque ceiling and sumptuous decorations, originally designed for the visit of Napoleon I (which, unfortunately for the designers, never actually happened).
7. Casa Xanxo
This 16th-century mansion once belonged to Bernat Xanxo, a wealthy Perpignan merchant, and was built in a blend of Catalan Gothic and early Renaissance styles. Before you enter, look for the intricate frieze decorating the exterior of the house—one of Casa Xanxo’s most notable features.
During the French Revolution, the mansion was seized and later used as a Masonic Lodge in the early 1800s. It returned to private hands in 1919 before being purchased by the city of Perpignan in 1999.
In Catalonia, noble homes were often built around a central patio—part public, part private. These courtyards were open to the public during the day, then closed off for family use in the evening. In the Middle Ages, Perpignan was filled with similar merchant and noble houses, many richly decorated and centrally located.
Casa Xanxo is listed as a Historic Monument, and today, you can step into the public/private courtyard and visit a few historically styled rooms. Then continue into the museum, where exhibits describe Perpignan’s past—highlighting both its wealthy merchant class and its turbulent back-and-forth struggle between Catalan and French rule.
- Hours: 11am-5:30pm, closed Monday
- Entrance: Free
8. Chapel of the Third Order of Dominicans
While the chapel itself is fairly plain, its stunning dome, covered in vivid paintings, is anything but boring.
The upper portion features traditional religious imagery, but the middle and lower sections reflect Revolutionary themes. As the French Revolution rejected Christianity, a depiction of the Roman Goddess Minerva is the focal point of the lower sections.
9. Musee d’Art Hyacinthe Rigaud
This is a lovely art museum with a mix of artistic styles and time periods, plus a small but charming interior patio (clearly the courtyards are a staple in Perpignan!)
Inside, you’ll find everything from beautiful medieval retables to Baroque works by Hyacinthe Rigaud, a renowned portraitist born in Perpignan, as well as a selection of contemporary pieces.
I especially enjoyed the room of photographs of Pablo Picasso during his time in Perpignan—he was a frequent visitor to the Roussillon region and spent time here with friends throughout his life.
- Hours: 10:30am-7pm June-September, 11am-5:30pm & closed Monday the rest of the year
- Entrance fee: €9
Practical Information
Map of Perpignan’s Attractions
How Long Do You Need in Perpignan?
One day is plenty to take in the sites and explore the city. The city is compact and easily walkable to all the attractions.
The Wrap Up
Overall, Perpignan was such a fun city to explore, with a very unique vibe from the rest of France. It is pretty far south, but if you’ll be in the area, or are going between Barcelona and the rest of France, I do think it’s worth a stop!
