Couvent Sainte Claire de Perpignan, Historic convent in Perpignan, France

The Couvent Sainte Claire de Perpignan is a religious structure featuring a single-nave church with a quadrangular choir and side chapels. The building includes a cloister with two covered galleries distinguished by simple rounded arches.

Charles V took the Clarisses under his protection after their convent was abandoned during the 1542 siege by Francis I's army, and had the present building erected between 1548 and 1550 inside the walls, in the La Réal parish. Expelled in 1792, the nuns saw the house become a departmental prison, which it remained through the 19th and 20th centuries until a new prison was built west of the city.

The convent houses the National Documentation Center for French People from Algeria since 2012, preserving important historical records and documents.

The building is located on Rue Général Derroja and opens to visitors primarily during Heritage Days celebrations. Check ahead for opening times, as regular access outside these special events may vary.

The vault keystone of the choir carries the coat of arms of Charles V, who took the Clarisses under his protection and paid for the convent built between 1548 and 1550. A neo-medieval chapel was added in the nave under the Second Empire so prisoners could attend mass under supervision.