French Catalonia, France

The historical roots of this area lie in the county of Barcelona and in the kingdoms of Aragon and Majorca. That's why here, in French Catalonia, people feel rather Spanish. The city of Perpignan is a sunny southern city and the capital of French Catalonia, with a strong Spanish influence. It is located 180 km from Barcelona. Its population is about 116 thousand people. It was the capital of Majorca from 1276 to 1344. Strong and prosperous in the Middle Ages, the city became French in 1659. The fortress in Perpignan is the Palace of the King of Majorca, which was built for Jacques II-King of Majorca. Later, thanks to the French military genius de Vauban, the existing fortress was renovated and further fortified. So becoming a French possession, the huge two-storey palace was not only sumptuously furnished for its occupants, but also provided their protection. The courtyard with arcades and magnificent gardens, some of which are still extant, were famous in antiquity. The beautiful frescoes, the tiled royal chapels, and also the great Gothic hall, show a Spanish-Moorish influence.

Of interest is the Loge de Mer building on the Place de la Loge, in the centre of the old town. Built in an exquisite Gothic style in the 14th century as the town's stock exchange and naval court, the building is still magnificent today with its carved wooden ceilings and windows with stone decoration. Today the ground floor houses a restaurant serving superb meals. To the ensemble of beautiful old buildings must be added the 14th-century town hall with its artfully carved 17th-century doors and the 15th-century Roussillon Parliament building.

The Casa Payral Museum, housed in the 14th-century City Gate, is dedicated to Catalan traditions and customs. The Rigo Museum displays works by the Prepignan-born portrait painter Iasant Rigo, as well as paintings by Dufy and Picasso and sculptures by Aristide Mayol.

The Saint-Jean Cathedral, built in the 14th century, rises on the Place Gambetta. It was only consecrated in 1509, some 180 years after the first stone was laid. The cathedral was built by the kings of Mallorca in the Rousseau style-a combination of red brick and stone-and the bell tower was made of wrought iron. Inside, the decoration of the church is something impressive. The frescoed walls, the stained glass windows, the glittering gilded altar and the whole setting inside,

inspire beauty and serenity. In the chapel on the south side there is a wooden statue of Christ from the 14th century, which the penitents carry on Good Friday through the streets of the city. Young and old take part in the procession, while other locals and visitors to the town, watch this interesting event.

One of the oldest monastic cemeteries in France, Campo Santo, has been restored as a park and summer concerts are held there. In the vicinity of Perpignan, the remains of the oldest human being in Europe, dating back to 450 thousand BC, were found at Tontaval in 1971. A reconstruction of the famous skull is on display at the Museum of Prehistory. Above Perpignan,on the sacred mountain of the Cathars, rises the snow-capped Mount Kanigu-2785 m. Climbing it is a wonderful experience.