Perpignan

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Introduction

perpignan - north catalonia -

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Perpignan is situated on the Tet river, in the central southern part of France, 8 miles from the Mediterranean Sea and just 19 miles from the border with Spain. It is the capital of the Pyrénées-Orientales department in the Languedoc-Roussillon region. The city has about 120,000 inhabitants, but the bigger metropolitan area has over 300,000 living within its boundaries.

Perpignan was the capital of the old province of Roussillen. It was heavily fortified during the struggle between France and Spain for the province of Roussillon. It was ceded to the French in 1659 by the Treaty of Pyrenees. Again in the 20th century it became the city of refuge for refugees from the Spanish Civil war.

Perpignan is a hub for processing and transporting of wines, fruits and vegetables that are grown in its hinterland. A large distribution centre is located in the Saint-Charles district, just southwest of the city centre.

Neighbourhoods

Sights and Activities

• Cathedral of St. John the Baptist
• Palace of the Kings of Majorca
• Ramparts around the city

Events and Festivals

International Festival of Photojournalism is held each year in Perpignan, in 2009 it will be held from 29th August to 13th September. It is unique event where visitors can view the greatest photojournalist work from across the world in exhibitions around the city. Evening screenings are held in an open air enclosure in the city. The exhibitions showcase the photographer's work reporting on war, nature, environment, people, religious and social issues. The event also gives an opportunity to professionals from all parts of the world to discuss their problems and debate various issues relevant to photojournalism.

Weather

Perpignan, like much of the wider region, has a typical Mediterranean climate. This means that summers are usually dry, sunny and warm, averaging around 28 degrees Celcius during July and August. Nights are pleasantly warm, around 18 degrees. Sometimes temperatures can hit 40 degrees though during these months.
Winters last from December to February and are around 10 to 12 degrees Celcius during the day and still well above zero at night. This is also the wetter time of year with most rain falling from October onwards.

Getting There

By Plane

Perpignan - Rivesaltes Airport is the main airport with a growing number of flights. Air France flies to Paris-Orly, BMI to Manchester, Flybe to Southampton and Ryanair serves Brussels, Birmingham, Bristol and London-Stansted.

By Train

Trains go to Barcelona directly or (half price) with a change in Cerbère/Portbou. They go three times daily and can take up to three hours. There are frequent services to Montpellier taking two hours via Narbonne (45 minutes) and Béziers (70 minutes).
Nine TGV's (high speed trains) run daily to Paris, Gare de Lyon (five hours). For Carcassonne you will have to change in Narbonne.
The nearest you can get to Andorra by train is La Tour de Carol taking four hours, from where buses go to Andorra.
Trains also go to regional places like Cerbère/Portbou on the Spanish border taking around 40 minutes, stopping in Collioure, Port-Vendres and Banyuls.

By Car

By Bus

Bus company Courriers Catalans has connections to coastal resorts. Two to five buses a day go to and from Collioure and Port-Vendres and on to Banyuls.

Five buses daily travel to Vernet-les-Bains via Prades and Villefranche and even more buses go to Céret.

Eurolines has long-distance buses and its office is just east of the train station.

By Boat

Getting Around

By Car

By Public Transport

CPTM is the local bus company with tickets costing €1.10 or roughly €5 for a day pass.
A minibus travel for free around the city centre.

By Foot

By Bike

Eat

Drink

Sleep

Budget

Mid-Range

Upscale

Work

Learn

Keep Connected

Internet

Phone

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