Perpignan, the capital of the Pyrenees-Orientales, the southern most department of the Languedoc Roussillon, is located near the Mediterranean Sea and is only about 30kms from the Spain. According to the 2004 census, the population of the city was around 116,700. The metropolitan area had a total population of 249,016 in 1999 and more than 300,000 inhabitants today.

A good part of Perpignan's population is of Spanish origin. The southern influence is more increased by a considerable admixture of North Africans, including both Arabs and white French settlers repatriated after Algerian independence in 1962.

While there are few memorable monuments to visit, Perpignan is an enjoyable city with a lively street life. Well placed on the main Mediterranean coast international lines of communication, it is much the best base for exploring the eastern end of the Pyrenees, and the Cathar castles of the Corbières.

The best place to begin your exploration of Perpignan is at Le Castillet, built as a gateway in the fourteenth century and now home to the Casa Pairal an interesting museum of Roussillon's Catalan folk culture, featuring religious art, agricultural and pastoral exposés, and all sorts of local crafts. A short distance down rue Louis-Blanc you come to the place de la Loge, focus of the renovated and pedestrianized heart of the old town. Dominating the cafés and brasseries of the narrow square is Perpignan's most interesting building, the Gothic Loge de Mer. Other popular places are Cathedrale St-Jean, Church of St-Jacques, Palais des Rois de Majorque, and Musee Rigaud.