Perpignan

Perpignan was the mainland capital of the kingdom of Majorca from 1276 to 1344, and the palace built for those kings survives inside a later Spanish citadel: a fortified residence around a courtyard with a two-level chapel, Gothic and Mediterranean rather than northern French in feel. The city stayed Spanish until 1659 and remains Catalan in language, food and festival; Sant Jordi and the Sanch procession at Easter are kept. The Castillet, a brick gate tower of 1368 in red brick, is the city's emblem. Salvador Dali once declared the railway station the centre of the universe, and the station plays along with a plaque.

What you actually see

• The Palace of the Kings of Majorca - a fortified Gothic residence with a double chapel.
• The Castillet - a red brick gate tower of 1368.
• The Catalan old town - lanes, the Loge de Mer and Catalan signage.
• The Dali station - the railway station he called the centre of the universe.

When to go

April to June and September to October; the Sanch procession falls on Good Friday and is a serious religious event. Summer is very hot inland from the coast.

Honest expectations

Parts of the old town are run-down and busy, and ordinary care is sensible at night. The palace is inside a citadel with a long approach. Summer heat is heavy.

Nearby

Collioure lies southeast; Ille-sur-Tet is west.