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Perpignan
Located furthest down in southernmost part of France, Perpignan in the Languedoc-Rousillon region, borders both the Catalan part of Spain as well as the Mediterranean Sea.
As a product of diverse cultural influences, one wonders how much truth lay behind the statement of famed Surrealist painter Salvador Dali, who in the heat of a visionary experience, declared that ‘Perpignan Railway Station was the centre of the universe.’ Today this declaration is commemorated by his statue which stands guard by the train tracks.
Known historically, as a flourishing farm trade center serving the rest of France, Perpignan city is able to produce the earliest crop of fruit and vegetables annually taking advantage of being situated on rich, alluvial plains and provided with a naturally exceptional climate.
Since Catalonia straddles Perpignan’s border, it was once the fortified capital of the Spanish kingdom of Roussillon and at present the city serves as a thoroughfare for motorists en route to Spain.
As such, visitors shouldn’t be surprised that Spanish and Catalan cultures are dominantly expressed in the sights, sounds, language and cuisine of the area and its local customs. Expectedly, the street signs point the way to visitors in three languages: English, Catalan, and of course, French.
Architecture in Perpignan that bears much Spanish influence are noticeably available on practically each street corner in the city. Notably, there is the Loge from the 14th century which housed merchants' exchange in medieval time, the Gothic Cathedral of St. Jean, the Church of Saint-Jacques, as well as the Loge de Mer or "Lodge of the Sea" that once housed the maritime tribunal, and now houses the Venus of Maillol.
The Palais des Rois de Majorque, or the castle of the kings of Majorca is partially restored and may be found in the southern part of the town. It is surrounded by the bastions of a great 17th and 18th century citadel which circumscribes the city.
