Famed surrealist Salvador Dalí proclaimed La Gare de Perpignan, the city’s train station, to be ‘the centre of the world’ following an ecstatic vision in 1963 – quite the honour, but there is plenty more to Perpignan than its transport links.
The city of Perpignan served as the capital of the Kingdom of Majorca during the 13th and 14th centuries, and this Catalan influence can be seen around the area, especially in the metropolis’ medieval core. Take a look at what there is to see and do here and prepare for your visit by choosing one of the area’s best cultural hotels, bookable with Culture Trip,
Let’s get the obvious bit out of the way first – the hotel is named for Salvador Dali, and his spirit resonates through the building – a copy of Dali: The Paintings by Robert Descharnes and Gilles Néret sits in every room. The rooms are spacious and understated, there’s a lounge with board games and yet more nods to Dali, and a bar serving up local wines. The Palais des Congres is just 300 metres (984 ft) away.
Appropriate for a place so close to the Spanish border, this hotel has whitewashed walls that gleam in the Mediterranean sun. The rooms are open plan with modern furniture, soft mattresses and big soaking tubs. Pampering is high on the menu here, with an extensive spa, two pools (one of which has its own bar) and breakfast in bed on offer. Canet Beach is just a 20-minute drive away.
The Les II Mas sits on the suburban border of Perpignan, close to the Parc Sant-Vicens golf course and many popular Pyrénées-Orientales walking routes. The 33 rooms have a Med-friendly vibe with tiled floors, Spanish-style furniture and art and complimentary sun hats. A bistro-style restaurant serves a seasonal, seafood-focused menu, and there’s an outdoor pool with a terrace and hot tub.
Les Mas Breson was designed by Danish architect Viggo Dorph-Petersen, who also turned his hand to a number of iconic chateaux in the area. The style evokes the neighbouring Catalan culture, and is set in verdant gardens of Mediterranean flora. The rooms are split across several houses of varying sizes, with massage treatments and complimentary breakfasts available. Horseback riding is bookable from the front desk, hiking routes are nearby and there’s an outdoor pool and ping-pong tables.
Wine plays a pivotal role in the South of France, so where better to stay than an old winery converted into a hotel? Château d’Ortaffa overlooks the ancient village it’s named after, and offers a choice between four rooms, sleeping between one and three guests. The rooms have a classical feel that suits to the surroundings, and as a B&B, the customer service is intimate, with bicycles available for hire and plenty of friendly advice on offer from the hotel’s husband-and-wife owners.
The Casa Pairal was once a mansion, nestled in the middle of Collioure, a beach town sometimes referred to as the ‘City of Painters’ thanks to the role it played in the rise of Fauvism, and the way it inspired the likes of Picasso, André Derain and Fujita Tsuguharu. The ivy-coated hotel is an artwork unto itself, surrounded by palatial sculpture and packed with intriguing vintage furniture. The rooms all have local art on the walls, as you’d expect, and all of them have their own distinct character. The hotel offers a heated outdoor pool in a private garden, as well.
Built in the Belle Époque by a local baron, the grand Château La Tour Apollinaire is made up of seven individually decorated apartments. The terracotta roof tiles typical of the Languedoc region are present; the garden, over an acre in size, contains more than 300 exotic plants, palms, and shrubs; and the view from the windows, taking in vineyards, mountains, and the surrounding landscape, is magnificent. Guests can also opt for a self-catered stay and can rent one of the two- or three-bedroom apartments privately, for an added dose of tranquility.
Callum Davies contributed additional reporting to this article.
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