Rain is the music of the earth, a gentle melody that soothes the soul.
1. Visit museums
- Musée Hyacinthe Rigaud: housed in the resplendent hôtels de Lazerme et Mailly, the Musée Hyacinthe Rigaud boasts a rich collection of both permanent and temporary works. You'll find Gothic, Baroque, modern and contemporary works.
- The Natural History Museum: housed in the Çagarriga town house, the Perpignan Natural History Museum provides an insight into the biodiversity and geodiversity of the Pyrénées-Orientales region. It includes collections from the cabinet of curiosities created by the University of Perpignan, and the highlight of the show: an Egyptian mummy. How did it get to Perpignan? We invite you to visit the Museum to find out!
- Casa Pairal museum: built in the 14th century of Baixas brick and marble, Le Castillet is now home to the Casa Pairal museum. This monument is a symbol of the city. In the past, it was the main gate in Perpignan's city wall, and even today many of the city's inhabitants pass through the Porte Notre-Dame to enter the historic center. Inside the Castillet, exhibitions of Catalan folk arts and traditions are regularly renewed, and take you from floor to floor to the top of its brick turret. In all, you'll have to climb 142 steps to discover a magnificent panoramic view over the heart of the city.
- Joseph Puig Museum of Coins and Medals: housed in the villa Les Tilleuls, the Museum of Coins and Medals, named after its generous donor
Joseph Puig, boasts one of the largest public collections of coins in France.
Its collections invite you to travel from the shores of the Mediterranean to the shores of the Pacific, from the earliest coins to those we use today.
Designed by architect Viggo Dorph-Petersen in the early 20th century, this villa is a botanical and architectural jewel in the Art Nouveau style, a stone's throw from Perpignan station.
2. Discover history
- Casa Xanxo: a traditional Catalan house dating from the 18th century, now converted into a museum.
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 circuit that forms the permanent exhibition, the various spaces and the patio can host a variety of events: workshops, tours, concerts, etc.
Remember to check the opening times before your visit by consulting our monuments and museums brochure.
3. Tea time
- Visit a café or tearoom and sample some delicious Catalan pastries
Don't hesitate to consult our inspiration engine and choose the "Gourmandises" section.
4. Go shopping
- Explore covered markets, such as the Halles Vauban, to buy local produce.
- Go shopping in the malls or boutiques of the historic center
5. Watch a movie or a show
- Go to the cinema to see a recent film. Check local cinema programs for special screenings or films in their original version.
- Check local theater listings for plays, concerts and shows.
6. Take part in leisure activities
You can go bowling or visit one of the city's swimming pools for a day of relaxation.
Do you know the Totem Perpignan concept?
It's an indoor play area aimed at a wide audience from 10 to 60 years old. Discover a surprising and highly entertaining concept, to be enjoyed with friends, family or colleagues.
7. Take part in a workshop...
...tasting with Catalan Wine Escape
At the heart of France's southernmost wine-growing region, Perpignan sees the blood of the land running through its veins. Just a stone's throw from the Basse, the river that runs through the city center, vineyards stretch as far as the eye can see. Red, white and rosé wines, as well as vins doux naturels, are the pride and joy of this small corner of France. Back in the big league, they talk about this sun-drenched land, the tramontana that cleans the sky, and the powerful, aromatic grape varieties of Grenache, Carignan, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault and Muscat. What if bad weather offered the opportunity to find out more about our exceptional lands? Just click below.
8. Explore art galleries or the contemporary art center
In addition to museums, Perpignan is home to numerous art galleries where you can discover local and international artists.
THE CONTEMPORARY ART CENTER (CAC)
A key venue for contemporary art in the heart of Perpignan, the CAC invites you to discover the diversity of today's art. Through the eyes of emerging or established artists, recognized regionally, nationally or internationally, you can reflect on current aesthetic or societal issues.
What's your favorite art form? You're sure to find it at the Centre d'Art Contemporain de Perpignan. Here, you can contemplate a wide range of practices: design, drawing, new media, installation, painting, performance, photography, sculpture, video...
The exhibition program, with its accompanying mediation activities, highlights the blending of all types of knowledge and cultures. Between emotion, reflection and confrontation, you won't leave indifferent.
THE ART CENTER A HUNDRED METERS FROM THE CENTER OF THE WORLD
An art center that lives up to its name! It's located just 100 metres from Perpignan railway station, which Salvador Dalí described as "the center of the world". In a former warehouse, discover all the currents of contemporary art, highlighted by a play of symmetry between century-old wooden beams, glass and metal. Immerse yourself in a convivial space that opens up all horizons: local, national and international.
9. Take time to relax
Enjoy a good book in one of the city's cosy cafés or discover Perpignan's media library, just a stone's throw from Hôtel Pams.
10. Discover creative tourism
Creative tourism is an approach that invites travelers to immerse themselves in local culture and actively participate in artistic, artisanal or culinary experiences, promoting intercultural exchange and the creation of authentic memories. Here are two places to discover in Perpignan.
The creative loft and its 200m² dedicated to ceramics. Sant Vicens ceramics, Catalan craftsmanship and know-how for 80 years
THE CREATIVE LOFT
The creative loft is an atypical place, a real loft dedicated to the practice of...
SANT VICENS CERAMIQUES
Company visits
Sant Vicens is a 17th-century winegrowing farmhouse, surrounded by a garden full of...
