Perpignan
Perpignan is a Catalan city in southern France, known for its red-brick gate and royal palace, and a base for the Mediterranean coast and the Pyrenees.
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Perpignan is the main city of the Pyrénées-Orientales department in Occitanie, southern France, a short distance from the Spanish border and the Mediterranean. It sits in Roussillon, a historically Catalan region, and Catalan identity still shapes its old town. From the 13th to the 14th century it was the capital of the Kingdom of Majorca, and the Palais des Rois de Majorque, the palace of those kings, is its best-known monument. The red-brick Castillet gate stands at the edge of the old town.
Perpignan suits a slow trip. Two or three days cover the old town and the palace, and a train ride takes you to Collioure, a coastal village known for its harbor and for the modern painters who worked there. The Pyrenees are close for hiking, and Barcelona is a few hours away by train, so the city works as a stop between France and Spain. Late spring and early autumn are the most comfortable months, since summer heat is strong on the plain.
Perpignan in five
- Start at Le CastilletThe red-brick gate marks the old center, and the lanes behind it hold cafés, shops and the cathedral. Allow an afternoon, and walk in the morning when it is cooler.
- Visit the Palais des Rois de MajorqueThe fortified palace on the hill has views over the city and the plain. Check opening hours and tickets on the site, as they change by season and day.
- Take the train to CollioureRegional trains reach the painters' harbor town in about 25–30 minutes. Go early in summer, when the lanes fill, and keep a late train in mind.Collioure travel guide
- Use the tramontane as a clueA strong northerly wind blows through the region, especially in winter and spring. Pack a layer for terraces and check the forecast before a coastal walk.
- Decide on Barcelona by railA high-speed line crosses the border to Spain, and the journey is far shorter than the drive. Check timetables, and carry a passport or ID card for the crossing.Barcelona travel guide
Things to do in Perpignan
See all attractions in Perpignan
Need to know
- Airport
- Perpignan-Rivesaltes (PGF), a few flights; Barcelona is bigger
- Getting there
- TGV from Paris about 5–6 hrs; Montpellier by regional or TGV
- Getting around
- Walkable center, city buses; regional trains to the coast
- Best base
- Near Le Castillet or the station
- Time needed
- 1 day; 2–3 with Collioure and the Pyrenees
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Festival
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryClear5 rainy daysHigh12°Low5°Mild, tramontaneJanuaryClear
Mixed
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 49 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, tramontane
- FebruaryClear5 rainy daysHigh14°Low6°Mild, sunnyFebruaryClear
Good
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 36 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, sunny
- MarchPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh16°Low8°Spring, windyMarchPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 56 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, windy
- AprilPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh18°Low10°Spring, terracesAprilPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 64 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, terraces
- MayPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh22°Low13°Warm, long daysMayPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 46 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, long days
- JuneClear5 rainy daysHigh27°Low18°Hot, beachesJuneClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 26 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, beaches
- JulyClear3 rainy daysHigh30°Low20°Hot, busyJulyClear
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 16 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
- AugustClear4 rainy daysHigh30°Low21°Hot, busyAugustClear
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 18 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
- SeptemberClear6 rainy daysHigh26°Low17°Warm, swimSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 42 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, swim
- OctoberClear6 rainy daysHigh22°Low14°Mild, goldenOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 73 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, golden
- NovemberPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh16°Low9°Cool, rainNovemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 52 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, rain
- DecemberClear7 rainy daysHigh13°Low7°Cool, quietDecemberClear
Mixed
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 57 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, quiet
Average daily high and low in Perpignan, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Festivals: Aug Visa pour l'image · Sep Visa pour l'image
Right now in Perpignan
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
15
- Feels like
- 7°
- Humidity
- 34%
- Wind
- 31 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Perpignan
09:43 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today19°11°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 19°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue16°8°30%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 30%.
- Wed14°8°53%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 14°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 53%.
- Thu17°8°30%Thursday: Rain. High 17°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 30%.
- Fri16°6°25%Friday: Clear. High 16°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 25%.
- Sat14°7°5%Saturday: Fog. High 14°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Sun16°8°9%Sunday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 9%.
Updated 06:26 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Every year
- Jan–MarCarnival of LimouxCarcassonne, a day trip
- Aug–SepVisa pour l'imagePerpignan
Day trips by train
- Collioureabout 25–30 min by trainPainters' harbor with a castle, anchovies and a pebble beach.Read the guide
- Pyrenees valleysabout 1–2 hours by carMountain villages and the Little Yellow Train from Villefranche-de-Conflent.Read the guide
- Carcassonneabout 1.5 hours by trainA walled city and Cathar country to the north-west.Read the guide
- Barcelonaabout 2 hours by high-speed trainA big day, better as a night. Carry your passport or ID.Read the guide
Before you go to Perpignan
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Rules for Perpignan, checked
- Non-EU visitors follow Schengen rules, which allow up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Check whether you need a visa on the France-Diplomatie site before you book.Source
- Declare cash above the EU threshold when you enter or leave the EU. Use the customs form or the declaration at the border.
- Customs rules limit how much food, meat, dairy and plant material you can bring into France. Check the French customs website before you pack.Source
- Service is included in restaurant and café bills by law. Leaving a small extra tip for good service is common but not required.
- Dial 112 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere in the EU. Carry your passport or ID card, since police may ask for it.
Plan around Perpignan
Regions, cities and entry rules
Read the guideCollioure travel guideHarbor town 25–30 min by train
Read the guideThe Pyrenees travel guidePeaks, valleys and the yellow train
Read the guideCarcassonne travel guideWalled city to the north-west
Read the guideLanguedoc-RoussillonThe wider region of wine and coast
Read the guidePerpignan FAQ
Is Perpignan worth visiting?
Yes for a day or two, if you like a Catalan-French mix, a fortress palace and easy access to the sea and mountains. It is a base more than a headline stop.
How many days do you need in Perpignan?
One day for the old town and the palace. Two or three days if you add Collioure and a day in the Pyrenees.
How far is Perpignan from the Spanish border?
About 30–40 km to the frontier. A high-speed train runs to Barcelona, and trains take much less time than the drive. Carry a passport or ID card.
Perpignan or Collioure: where should I stay?
Perpignan for transit and lower prices, Collioure for a harbor setting. Staying in Perpignan and visiting Collioure by train works for most trips.
What language do they speak in Perpignan?
French is the main language, with Catalan used in the culture, signs and street names. Many people speak some English in tourist areas.