Editing Perpignan

{{France}}
{{City
    |name       =Perpignan
    |country    =France
    |region     =Languedoc-Roussillon
    |nickname   =
    |group      =10396
    |wikipedia  =Perpignan
    |wikivoyage =Perpignan
    |image      =Perpignan-blason.gif
    |imagetext  =Blason of the City
    |ambassadors =[[Liste_des_Volontaires_CS_en_France#Dans_le_Languedoc_Roussillon|CS Ambassadors in the Area]]
    }}
[[File:Perpignan.jpg|800px|center|]]

__NOTOC__


'''Perpignan''' is a city in '''[[France]]''' situated in the Region '''[[Languedoc-Roussillon]]'''.Perpignan was the capital of the former province and county of Roussillon (Rosselló in Catalan), and continental capital of the Kingdom of Mallorca back in the 13th and 14th centuries. Population (2006): 117,500 (Perpignanais, Perpinyanencs) in the city proper. The metropolitan area had a total population of 249,016 in 1999 and about 300,000 in 2008. Traditional commerce was in wine and olive oil, corks (the cork oak Quercus suber grows in Perpignan's mild climate), wool and leather, and iron. In May 1907 it was a seat of agitation by southern producers for government enforcement of wine quality following a collapse in prices.



==<FONT COLOR="#CC0000">'''HISTORY OF PERPIGNAN'''</FONT>==
[[File:Photojournalism festival.JPG|thumb|250px|right|The International Photojournalism Festival « Visa pour l’image »]]

===<FONT COLOR="#CCCC00">'''Identity'''</FONT>===
« Perpignan la Catalane » or « Fidelissima Vila de Perpinyà », here is the way the city is officially introduced. These phrases refer to '''history, identity, heritage''', but they also express '''a geographical and cultural reality, the richness and specificity of the city'''. “La Catalane” because Perpignan, capital of North Catalonia, has been part of the Catalan Principality for five centuries (from end of 12th to middle 17th), then '''linked to the Aragon Kingdom, after Roman and Mediterranean cultures'''. Capital City of the Kingdom of Majorca (1276/1344), the city became partly integrated to the Kingdom of France in the XVth century. Perpignan is '''officially French since 1659'''. Add to this its attachment to some values. 

[[File:Vauban Mole.JPG|thumb|250px|left|The Vauban Mole, Downtown Mediterranean Mood]]

===<FONT COLOR="#CCCC00">'''Geographical Situation'''</FONT>===
Nevertheless, Perpignan offers many other faces. “Big little city” or “Little big city” is the core of an old province, the Roussillon, surrounded by a vast plain '''much privileged by its environment: a Mediterranean rocky and sandy coastline''' on the one hand, and on the other hand mountains, among which the Canigou - one of the highest peaks of the '''French Pyrenees''' (2785m), and a sacred mountain both to Southern and Northern Catalans. The Tramontane wind clears the sky into a deep blue with a very special light, which was '''a source of inspiration for “Fauvist art”''', Perpignan has '''2 500 sunny hours a year''' and is the last big city before the Spanish border, so as '''a city-bridge between Barcelona and the rest of France'''.

===<FONT COLOR="#CCCC00">'''Numerous Treasures'''</FONT>===
Perpignan lived its Golden Age during '''the Kingdom of Majorca''', which lasted from 1276 to 1344, a period '''when Perpignan was its capital city'''. While gothic churches and collegiate churches were built in the royal city, commercial and textile prosperity was to be exported into the whole Mediterranean basin. As a cosmopolitan capital, '''Perpignan hosted lots of artists'''. This blazing vision is enforced in '''different monuments''' such as the Campo Santo (referring to the same monument as Pisa, Italy)… and of course, the “Palais des Rois de Majorque”. There are '''several museums''' in the city and more in the surroundings: classic and modern art, traditions, history...

[[File:Thursday of Perpignan.JPG|thumb|250px|right|The « Thurdays of Perpignan », street arts Summer Festival]]

===<FONT COLOR="#CCCC00">'''Today'''</FONT>===
City of 120 000 dwellings ('''250 000 for the Great Perpignan'''), the city has a university (11 000 students) linked to '''renewable energies''', economic poles (Saint Charles, Tecnosud…), bars & nightclubs (especially on '''la colline des loisirs''' in Canet-en-Roussillon (10 kms/5'), close to the sea), '''several festivals''' : Visa pour l'Image (Photojournalism), Jazzèbre, Confrontation (cinema), Festival de Musique sacrée (Holy music), Ida y Vuelta (world music), Les Estivales (theatre, dance, music) and some others

In Perpignan, you can find '''any kind of cuisine'''. Nice small '''restaurants in the old town''' (french tradition, world - vietnamese, japanese, indian, italian, moroccan -, fast food, grande cuisine, catalan recipes (boles de picolat, pa amb tomàquet). Perpignan area produces also '''good wines, sweet wines''', fruits (cherry, peach, apricot), vegetables, and in some of the restaurants you will hear now & then some '''gipsy musicians''' playing serenade around.

If you like '''sports''', you will find everything in '''Parc des Sports''', close to the University Perpignan Via Domitia (tennis, soccer, baseball, ping pong, rugby, skateboard, a swimming pool). For '''sea emotions''' (Collioure, pearl of the Côte vermeille...), the very close coast offers windsurfing, skin diving, sailing, volley & beach volley-ball. From the ridge, the '''Neiges catalanes''' (olympic Font-Romeu...) are up there (skiing, snow-shoeing, clifthanger, 4x4 riding on the rocks or simply hiking).

More informations about the History of Perpignan on the [[wikipedia:Perpignan]] !

==<FONT COLOR="#CC0000">'''WHAT TO VISIT ?'''</FONT>==

<table border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center>
 <tr>
  <td align=center>
[[File:Campo Santo.jpg|thumb|280px|center|Campo Santo]]
  </td>
  <td align=center>
[[File:Casa Pairal.jpg|thumb|200px|center|The Castillet]]
  </td>
  <td align=center>
[[File:Perpignan-Cathedrale-01.JPG|thumb|280px|center|The Cathedral]]
  </td>
 </tr> 
</table>
<table border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center>
 <tr>
  <td align=center>
[[File:PerpignanA.jpg|thumb|280px|center|The Royal Palace of Majorca]]
  </td>
  <td align=center>
[[File:Rue perpignan.JPG|thumb|280px|center|The Pedestrian Area]]
  </td>
  <td align=center>
[[File:Rigaud Museum.JPG|thumb|280px|center|The Rigaud Museum]]
  </td>
 </tr> 
</table>

'''''More informations about the places to visit in Perpignan on the [[wikivoyage:Perpignan]] and even the [http://www.perpignantourisme.com/index.php?&lg=UK Official Website of the Office of Tourism] !'''''


==<FONT COLOR="#CC0000">'''TIPS'''</FONT>==

===<FONT COLOR="#CCCC00">'''Internet/Wifi Access'''</FONT>===

Here are some places where you can get:

Free Internet:
* '''El Mediator''' - ''Adress: Elmediator Av Général Leclerc 66000 Perpignan - Tel: 04 68 51 64 40''
* '''BIJ (Bureau Information Jeunesse)- Adress : 16 bis rue Emile Zola
* '''FDFR''' - ''Adress: 10, rue du Marché de Gros - Tel: 0468350065''
* '''Médiathèque de Perpignan''' - ''Adress: 15, rue Emile Zola - BP 931 - Tel: 04 68 66 30 22''
* '''Cyber-Base Emploi''' - ''Adress: Maison de l'Emploi du bassin de Perpignan 12 Rue Pierre Cartelet 66000 Perpignan - Tel: 04 68 35 20 00''

Cybercafés:
* '''Hôtel Méditerranée Cybercafé''' - ''Adress: 62 avenue Gal de Gaulle (the street to the station) - 66000 PERPIGNAN - Tel: 04 68 34 87 48''
* '''Games Bond''' - ''36 place Rigaud''
* '''Net & Games'''- Adress : 45 avenue Général Leclerc - Tel : 04 68 35 36 29.


Free wifi: 
* '''University''' (student account needed)
* '''Airport'''
* to be continued...

===<FONT COLOR="#CCCC00">'''Library / Newspapers / International magazines'''</FONT>===
* '''Médiathèque de Perpignan''' - ''Address: 15, rue Emile Zola - BP 931 - Tel: 04 68 66 30 22''

===<FONT COLOR="#CCCC00">'''Nice & Cheap Places to Eat'''</FONT>===

* most restaurants in the city centre, at lunchtime on weekdays : menus or plats du jour (daily special)

'''Cheap places:'''

* around the train station
* in St-Jacques (gipsy/arab district near the city centre), rue Llucia (good & cheap couscous and tajines, to eat on site or to take away)

'''Nice places:'''

* '''Le Lisboa''', place Rigaud, Portuguese specialities.
* '''le Figuier''', rue du figuier, on a charming little square without a fig tree but with an olive tree
* '''le Napoli''', place de Catalogne (Californian palmtrees, design, la FNAC, monument à la Résistance)
* '''L'Arago'''', place Arago (the man who abolished slavery in the French colonies) (palm trees, fountain)
* '''Le Bistrot Saint Jean''' next to the Cathedral, great shady terrasse, Catalan specialties and great wines
* '''Aux reflets du Liban''', rue Rameil, Lebanese specialties
* '''Naniwa''', Japanese restaurant on the 'place de la République', nice terrasse
* '''Chez Luigi''', Pizzeria Restaurant, Italian specialities, Welcoming staff (11 Quai Batllo, 66000 Perpignan).
* '''La Sardane''', Cuisine typique catalane. Carmen et Paul are the best. 16, avenue de la Grande Bretagne.
* '''Crêperie Bretonne''' 8 rue Maréchal Foch
* '''La cuisine''', 2, rue Colbert, 66190 '''Collioure'''

'''Fast foods :'''

* '''Subway''' - Adress : 37 boulevard Clemenceau
* '''Quick''' - Adress : le Palmarium, place Arago
* '''Kebabs''' - Very much choice on avenue Général de Gaulle (street to the railway station)

===<FONT COLOR="#CCCC00">'''Bars and Pubs'''</FONT>===

* ''' Bar and Britz''', Place de la république

===<FONT COLOR="#CCCC00">'''Nightlife'''</FONT>===
''Perpignan''
'''Cafés/Bars/Pubs'''
* L'Ascot (piano bar) 12 impasse des Cardeurs
* Le Calle Hot cho (gay friendly), 8 bis, avenue du Palais des Expositions
* Le Che, 1 rue Fabriques d'en Nadal
* Le Market (pub/restaurant), avenue du Général Leclerc
* Les Petits frères (wine cellar/bar), rue de la poissonnerie
* Le Rép' (bar & terrace), place de La République

'''Night clubs'''
* Disco 421, 2609 avenue de Prades
* Le Madison (80s mood), avenue Julien Panchot
* Le Napoli, place de Catalogne

''Canet-en-Roussillon'' 
'''Cafés/Bars:Pubs'''
* Le Caraïbes (karaoke bar)close to the beach
* La K.Bane (music bar), close to the beach
* Le Kactus (pub), colline des Loisirs
* Le Purple (pub), colline des Loisirs

'''Night clubs'''
* Dark side, colline des Loisirs
* New love (Djs, techno), close to the beach
* Paradisko, close to the beach

==<FONT COLOR="#CC0000">'''COUCHSURFERS'''</FONT>==
There are about 200 Couchsurfers in Perpignan and its area. You can check the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=10396 CS Group of Perpignan] or simply a couchsearch to find and contact them.<br />

===<FONT COLOR="#CCCC00">'''Meetings'''</FONT>===
About once a week, there are meetings and activities organised via CS-Perpignan, just check the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=10396 CS Group of Perpignan] to see what happens in the city and/or the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=189 Regional CS Group of Languedoc-Roussillon] to see if there is any event in the area.

===<FONT COLOR="#CCCC00">'''Coffee or a Drink'''</FONT>===
Here is a list of persons who are ready to have a drink with you and/or show you the city:

<!-- If you are not able to host anyone (for example if parents or flatmates are uncomfortable with the idea), but would still like to meet up with people travelling through the city! -->

==<FONT COLOR="#CC0000">'''TRANSPORTATIONS'''</FONT>==
[[File:Gare.jpg|250px|right]]

===<FONT COLOR="#CCCC00">'''How to get to Perpignan'''</FONT>===

* By Car:
The easiest way to get there is the French motorway A9, passing next to Perpignan. You can take the exit n°41 to enter from the North or n°42 to enter from the South. 

- From '''Toulouse''' : Take the motorway A61 heading to Montpellier then join the A9 at Narbonne, heading to Barcelona. You'll approach Perpignan by the North. (total distance : 210km)
- From '''Montpellier''' : Take the motorway A9 via Narbonne(total distance 163 kms) 
- From '''Barcelona''' : Take the AP-7 heading to France (França in Catalan). The AP-7 becomes the A9 after the border. You'll approach Perpignan by the South. (total distance : 180km)

* By Plane:
Perpignan has an international airport named [http://www.perpignan.cci.fr/2-13674-Accueil.php Perpignan-Rivesaltes]. 
* from '''Paris Orly''' (5 flights per day) with Air France [http://www.airfrance.fr], 
* from '''London''', '''Bristol''', '''Manchester''' and '''Brussels-South''' (Charleroi) with [http://www.ryanair.com Ryanair]),
* from '''Birmingham''' & '''Southampton''' with htttp://www.flybe.com
* from '''Manchester''' with htttp//:www.bmibaby.com
There is a shuttle bus from the bus and the train station to the airport, and return. Tél. 04.68.55.68.00

Perpignan is also close to other international airports, as Carcassonne (train to Perpignan, www.sncf.com) and Girona in Spain (more than 60 destinations). There are two shuttle services between '''Girona''' and Perpignan: [http://www.perpicat.com] and [http://www.frogbus.com]
With Frogbus (Perpignan railway station/Girona airport, platform 10), it takes 1h30 long, it costs 14€ (one way) & if you're lucky = 5€

Barcelona airport is about 200km away, can be reached by train or by shuttle bus (same as Girona airport)

* By Train:
[http://www.voyages-sncf.com

There are three railways stopping in Perpignan: one to the South and to Spain ; one to the West and the mountain ; one to the North linking Perpignan to the rest of France.

- TER network (regional train network) : links to Toulouse, Narbonne, Montpellier, Port Bou, Carcassonne (a discount card can be bought for TER train, called Via-Liberté ([http://www.ter-sncf.com/languedoc/tarifs/loisirs/tarif1.asp]) (you need a picture)
--- Lunéa (night train) : from Paris-Austerlitz and Metz/Nancy
--- TGV (high-speed train) : from Paris, Lille, Lyon, Brussels

There are links with Spain via Cerbere or Port-Bou.
There are also Talgo trains (night trains) coming from Milano, Zurich & Barcelona.

The scenic yellow train ('''le petit train jaune''') leaves from the station of Villefranche-de-Conflent and has its terminus at Latour-de-Caroll, border with Spain in the mountain. The most impressive stretch is the first one, from Villefranche to Mont-Louis, with great bridges and tunnels. It runs all year long. Timetables [http://www.voyages-sncf.com]

===<FONT COLOR="#CCCC00">'''Bus'''</FONT>===

Main bus company in Perpignan:
CTPM with buses to all parts of the city, and many villages around Perpignan. Good bus line (line 1) to the beach (Canet-Sud). Pretty good service during the day, but they all stop around 7 or 8pm, except for line 1 to Canet in July and August, from Thursday to Saturday, CTPM[http://www.ctpmperpignan.com]. 
Single ticket 1,10€ ; return ticket 2€ ; card for 10 single journeys (sold at newsagents') 7,80€ (fares July 2009)

There's a free bus called 'le p'tit bus gratuit'. It does so many circles in the centre of Perpignan that you might think you're in a big city - don't be fooled!

Other bus companies go to further villages like '''Argelès''', '''Saint-Cyprien''', '''Collioure''', '''Prades''', '''Villefranche-de-Conflent''', even '''Mont-Louis''' in the mountain, for a very cheap rate (1€). They are a bit less frequent, and you'd better call for the timetables, CG66[http://www.cg66.fr/252-les-bus-departementaux.htm].

Les Transports A la Demande ('''TAD''') are also available. Call 0 800 800 370 one day before to reserve your bus.

Courriers catalans : ‎+33 (0)4 68 55 68 00.

Autocar Ponsaty : +33 (0)4 68 22 68 68

===<FONT COLOR="#CCCC00">'''Bicycles'''</FONT>===

If you speak French, then [http://locovelo.com] will tell you all you need to know.

If not...

- if your journeys will not exceed 1/2 hour, then you can use '''BIP''', with the 'formule liberté', 1€ a day [http://www.bip-perpignan.fr/]
15 BIP stations in Perpignan : downtown (Railway station, place de la Victoire/Castillet... or elsewhere (University, Hospital...) 

- if they do, the ''')Vélostation Perpignan Arago''', next to the courts hours, is for you, renting bicycles per day, month... (3€ a day) Tél. 04 68 35 45 82

'''Maps''' of (easy) bicycle routes in the area: [http://www.perpignanmediterranee.com/articles.asp?id=3901]

==<FONT COLOR="#CC0000">'''IN CASE OF EMERGENCY'''</FONT>==
[[File:110 F 5944636 1f9rXG7PRPiG210JXW9Jql5PCPR0x9Lo.jpg|thumb|250px|right|]]

* '''Police Station: 04 68 35 70 00 - Avenue de Grande-Bretagne''' 
* '''Health Urgency: 15 (SAMU); ''' 
* '''Hospital: 04 68 61 66 33 - 20 avenue du Languedoc''' 
* '''Fireman Station: 18 or 04 68 63 78 18'''
* '''Consulats: <br />
Germany : 04 68 35 60 84; <br />
Belgium : 04 68 35 46 65; <br />
Spain : 04 68 34 33 76; <br />
Denmark : 04 68 35 07 08; <br />
Sweden : 04 68 51 00 19; <br />
Generalitat de Catalunya : 09 79 71 32 92''' 
* '''Emergency Doctor: 0820 204 142 (SOS Médecins)'''
* '''Loss of CB : 0892 705 705'''

==<FONT COLOR="#CC0000">'''LOCAL MEDIA MENTIONS'''</FONT>==
Thanks to Labeau9 for the text and the pictures.

Quoi de Neuf Perpignan >[http://www.quoideneufperpignan.com/]

Quoi de Neuf Weekend >[http://www.quoideneufweekend.com/]

CataCult > [http://www.catacult.net/]

==<FONT COLOR="#CC0000">'''INTERESTED LINKS'''</FONT>==

* '''[http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=189 Regional CS Group: Languedoc-Roussillon]'''
* '''[http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=10396 City CS Group: Perpignan]'''
_____________________________________________________________________________________________

* '''[http://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Nîmes Nîmes on Wikivoyage]'''
* '''[http://hitchwiki.org/en/Nîmes Nîmes on Hitchwiki]'''
* '''[http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nîmes Nîmes on Wikipedia]'''

[[File:Pano1perpignandenuitvi4.jpg|800px|center]]

[[Category:France]]
[[Category:Languedoc-Roussillon]]
[[hitch:Perpignan]]