Perpignan - Catalan City of the Mediterranean - By: Antonio Bonito, Posted on: 2007-07-28

Perpignan, a small city in the Languedoc of south-west France, is the perfect destination for lovers of the sea, mountains, art, culture and history. With miles of sandy beaches nearby, this is a cultural center not to be missed for those visiting south-west France or northern Spain.

The city of Perpignan is situated in the region of France known as Languedoc-Roussillon. It is right on the Mediterranean coast, not far from the Spanish border, and has the Pyrenees as a stunning backdrop, together with the famous Corbieres wine-growing region. Perpignon is also the most southern City in France.

Perpignan also has a unique and most interesting history, and is equally well-known for its architecture as for the modern-day tourist industry. It is also very well-known for its world-famous rail station, the ceiling of which was painted by the Spanish surrealist artist Salvador Dali, who called the station the "cosmological center of the universe".

Perpignan is old, very old! The area surrounding the city, formerly known as Ruscino (which lent its name to the whole of the region), was inhabited from the sixth century BC, and was a major trading partner with the Greek nations. In the second century BC it was taken possession of by the invading Celts. Howevern Perpignan as it is known today came into being during the middle ages when it belonged to the Counts of Roussillon who made it their headquarters. The city later on was bequeathed to the King of Aragon, in northern Spain, before passing into the hands of the kingdom of Majorca. Many of the remaining historical features of the town date from this period.

The city of Perpignan is also remarkable for possessing one of the most astonishing carillons in existence. It is the only surviving intact carillon with a range of four octaves and dates from the nineteenth century. A work of the foundry Amedee Bollee and Sons from Mans, it was presented at the Universal Exhibition of Paris in 1878 before being installed at Perpignan.

The carillon is owned by the town and in 1996 it was fully restored to its original glory by the French carillon experts, Herepian. Since being restored, carillon players have been employed, and nominated by decree of the church, to demonstrate the instrument at its best. And since it was electrified in 1956, every day in the morning, mid-day and evening, a player will sit at the keyboard and play the Angelus prayer.

There are four museums in Perpignan, all possessing outstanding collections. Firstly there is the Museum of Catalan Art and Traditions. Then there are the renowned Museum of Coins and Medals and the Natural history Museum. Then there is the glorious Hyacinthe Rigaud Museum of Painting.

Interestingly, who would have believed that in a city like Perpignan, urbanised, developed, bustling with people, there still remain magical areas to discover full of nesting birds! For Perpignan is also an encounter with 130 hectares of parks and gardens in the heart of the city, and over 2000 hectares of cultivated land crossed by a river, which conserve an astonishing amount of nature, including a large variety of bird species.

The cuisine of the Perpignan region is of course Catalan - a discovery and gastronomic experience not to be missed by those who aren't already familiar with it!

So, there you are, the city of Perpignan in all its glory. All that remains is to wish you a happy vacation and many happy encounters with the magnificent city of Perpignan.

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For further information on France, the French lifestyle and Paris in French, please visit Rencontres Paris at Antonio Bonito's QuePourToi.com rencontres coquines web site.
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