The French holiday hotspot where you can visit Spain in a day – and flights are £10
ONCE the capital of the Kingdom of Majorca, the historic and charming city of Perpignan in the South of France is blessed with mild winters and sizzling summers.
WHY SHOULD I GO? It’s a relatively undiscovered Catalan jewel just five miles inland from a range of sandy Mediterranean beaches and around a 40-minute drive from Spain.
In the stunning old town, historical architecture and classic French city squares with lively cafes rub alongside boutiques, bars and swanky stores.
This is not Riviera style, but a small city loved by French tourists for its relaxed ambience, leisurely pace and lack of pretension.
And down here, rugby is like a religion — the locals are almost as passionate about it as the food.
Ryanair flies direct to its Rivesaltes airport, just outside the centre, with ultra cheap fares from £20 return.
ARE THESE STREETS MADE FOR WALKING? Definitely.
A stroll around the city throws up a whole host of architecture from throughout the ages.
Set on the banks of the tree-lined Tet river, you can marvel at Gothic, Renaissance and medieval buildings as well as an impressive palace once belonging to the Kingdom of Majorca.
Take a wander around the pedestrianised streets, with hidden archways and fountains.
There are also several outdoor markets held each month selling fine Perpignan pottery, arts and crafts and fresh food from all over the region.
ANYTHING FOR THE BUCKET LIST? If wine tasting is your thing, then there’s delicious vineyards aplenty in the area around Perpignan.
Try the Domaine Treloar winery, where the sun-drenched grape vines overlook the craggy mountains.
Tours cost from around £12 per adult with tastings or from around £20 with food.
If you’re visiting in summer, swing by the traditional music festival, which dominates the streets every Thursday night in July and August.
Called Les Jeudis de Perpignan, it is spread over a dozen locations around the historic town centre.
Walk around the streets from 6pm until midnight to enjoy a wealth of performances, from salsa dancers and jazz singers to jugglers and stilt-walkers, along with one-of-a-kind street parade floats.
WHERE SHOULD I EAT? Nearly all the restaurants offer traditional French dining, but La Vienne in Place Arago is where to go for classic dishes.
It is rammed every lunchtime with both locals and tourists who come for the seafood platters, moules, duck, veal and extravagant salads.
It’s just one of many restaurants lining this particular square, so lots of choice if that one’s full.
And the Place de la Republique, right in the heart of the Old Town, is packed with bars and restaurants all facing the sun, which means they’re always busy, even in winter.
Or if you’re after some traditional tapas, head to La Fabrik.
It has a main entrance with a bar, an inside “garden” and indoor room serving tasty tapas with lots of veggie options.
FANCY A DRINK? Habana Bodeguita, on Grande des Fabriques, is a fun Spanish Latino bar and restaurant with decent mojitos, wine and lots of dancing until the late hours.
Tinc Set, loved by locals, offers a traditional Catalan experience with a range of local organic wines, live music and a bar stuffed full of art.
WHERE SHOULD I STAY? La Villa Duflot is a stunning boutique hotel with just 29 rooms and romance in the air.
It has a pool, courtyard and fantastic restaurant, but it’s on the outskirts of the city so you’d need to hire a car to see the sights.
For a truly city central experience, head to Suites Coronell d’En Vila, a family-friendly small hotel that brings the best of Perpignan to your doorstep and is close to all the best tourist spots.
GO: Perpignan
GETTING THERE: Ryanair flies from Leeds to Perpignan from £20 return.
See ryanair.com.
STAYING THERE: The Suites Coronell d’En Vila have double rooms from £80 per night.
La Villa Duflot has double rooms from £136 per night.
See villa-duflot.com.