Perpignan, Prefecture city in Pyrénées-Orientales, France
This city serves as the prefecture of the Pyrénées-Orientales department in southern France, near the Spanish border and the Mediterranean coast. Narrow lanes connect small squares shaded by plane trees and fountains, while sandstone facades and red-tile roofs shape the townscape.
In the Middle Ages it served as capital of the Kingdom of Majorca and changed hands several times between French and Spanish rule. Its final annexation to France came in 1659 through the Treaty of the Pyrenees.
The Saint-Jean cathedral in the center still displays Catalan architectural elements and is used for services and concerts. Older residents often speak Catalan in the lanes, while markets and cafés reflect Mediterranean habits of daily life.
From the train station you can reach the old town on foot in about ten minutes along wide boulevards. Many sites lie close together, so a walk is enough to visit the main places.
A painting by Dalí hangs in the station building and recalls his 1963 declaration that this station is the cosmic center. Some travelers stop there specifically to see the site of that statement.
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