From Casa Xanxo to the architecture and heritage interpretation center.
Bernat Xanxo was one of the town's most important merchants, thanks to his prosperous trading activities. Between 1506 and 1508, he and his wife Elisabeth Xanxo built a mansion. Richly decorated, Casa Xanxo was intended to affirm their new social status.
It is located in the heart of the city, at 8 rue de la Main de Fer. At the time, clothiers tended to live on St. James Hill; Bernat Xanxo, a clothier's son, chose to leave the neighborhood to be closer to the bishop, whose representative he was.
The dwelling comprised a street-facing building with a vaulted cellar for storing merchandise, a first floor dedicated to trade, a reception room upstairs and an attic level occupied by the drying room. This original layout was modified over the centuries. In 1919, the building was listed as a Monument Historique.
Perpignan has held the Ville d'art et d'histoire appelé (VAH) label since 2001. This label is awarded by the French Ministry of Culture to towns that present a genuine project for the enhancement of their heritage. One of the essential elements of this label is the creation of a CIAP (architecture and heritage interpretation center). Casa Xanxo was chosen for its exceptional architecture and its location in the ancient heart of Perpignan.
Venue for visits and events
It is above all a showcase for the town's heritage and an introduction to its history. The CIAP is a facility designed to educate, inform and train all publics. It's a place where tradition meets innovation.
Around a permanent exhibition circuit, the various spaces and patio can host a variety of events, including workshops, tours and concerts. Discover this rich program in the Rendez-vous Perpignan brochure. Its aim is to present Perpignan's heritage in all its facets, and to inspire visitors to go further in their discovery of the city.
Themed tours are offered free of charge throughout the year by the Heritage Activities Department. Family visits and workshops are also available during the school vacations.
On the festive side, the tourist office organizes exceptional evenings inside this monument. During the summer of 2023, you could discover or rediscover the patio as part of the Patios Divins evening. During the All Saints' Day vacations, the aperitif evening at Xanxo took over, combining heritage and epicurean delights!
