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{{For-multi|the wine grape|Graciano{{!}}Perpignan (grape)|the Rugby Club|USA Perpignan}} | |||
{{French commune|nomcommune=Perpignan <br>]<br>]<br>]<br><small>View of Perpignan</small> | |||
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2021}} | |||
|région=] | |||
|département=] (66)<br />('']'') | |||
|map= Perpignan dot.png | |||
| arrondissement=Perpignan | |||
|canton=Chief town of 9 cantons|insee=66136 |cp=66000 | |||
|gentilé=Perpignanais|devise=|maire=]|mandat=]-] |intercomm=] | |||
|lat_long={{coor dms|42|41|55|N|2|53|44|E}} | |||
|alt moy=30 m|alt mini=8 m |alt maxi=95 m |hectares= 6.807 | |||
|km²=68,07 | |||
|sans= 116,700|date-sans=2004 | |||
|dens=1,715 | |||
|date-dens=2004}} | |||
'''Perpignan''' (]: ''Perpignan'', ] {{IPA|/pɛʀpiɲɑ̃/}}; ] ''Perpinyà'', ] {{IPA|}}) is a ] and the '']'' (administrative capital city) of the ]'' ]'' in southern ]. Perpignan was the capital of the ] and ] of ] (Rosselló in Catalan). | |||
{{Infobox French commune | |||
Population (2004) : '''116,700''' (''Perpignanais'') in the city proper. The ] had a total population of 249,016 in 1999 and more than '''300,000 inhabitants''' today. | |||
|name = Perpignan | |||
|native name = {{native name|ca|Perpinyà}} | |||
|commune status = ] and ] | |||
|image coat of arms = Arms of Perpignan.svg | |||
|image = {{Photomontage|position=center | |||
| photo1a = Perpignan banner.jpg | |||
| photo2a = Perpignan - panoramio.jpg | |||
| photo2b = Quai Sébastien Vauban - panoramio.jpg | |||
| photo3a = Castillet in Perpignan.jpg | |||
| size = 270 | |||
| spacing = 2 | |||
| color = #FFFFFF | |||
| border = 0 | |||
| foot_montage = | |||
}} | |||
|caption = | |||
|arrondissement = Perpignan | |||
|canton = ], ], ], ], ] and ] | |||
|mayor = ]<ref>{{cite web|title=Répertoire national des élus: les maires|url=https://www.data.gouv.fr/fr/datasets/r/2876a346-d50c-4911-934e-19ee07b0e503|publisher=data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises|date=6 June 2023|language=fr}}</ref> | |||
|party = ] | |||
|term = 2020–2026 | |||
|intercommunality = ] | |||
|coordinates = {{Coord|42.6986|2.8956|format=dms|display=inline,title}} | |||
|elevation m = 30 | |||
|elevation min m = 8 | |||
|elevation max m = 95 | |||
|area km2 = 68.07 | |||
|population = {{France metadata Wikidata|population_total}} | |||
|population date = {{France metadata Wikidata|population_as_of}} | |||
|population footnotes = {{France metadata Wikidata|population_footnotes}} | |||
|INSEE = 66136 | |||
|postal code = 66000 | |||
|demonym = ''Perpignanais'' (masc.), ''Perpignanaise'' (fem.) (])<br>''perpinyanès'' (masc.), ''perpinyanesa'' (fem.) (]) | |||
|website = {{in lang|fr}} | |||
}} | |||
'''Perpignan''' ({{IPAc-en|UK|ˈ|p|ɜːr|p|ɪ|n|j|ɒ̃}}, {{IPAc-en|US|ˌ|p|ɛər|p|iː|ˈ|n|j|ɑː|n}},<ref>{{cite LPD|3}}</ref><ref>{{cite EPD|18}}</ref> {{IPA|fr|pɛʁpiɲɑ̃|lang|LL-Q150 (fra)-Fabricio Cardenas (Culex)-Perpignan.wav}}; {{langx|ca|Perpinyà}} {{IPA|ca|pəɾpiˈɲa|}}; {{langx|oc|Perpinhan}} {{IPA|oc|peɾpiˈɲa|}}) is the ] of the ] ] in ], in the heart of the plain of ], at the foot of the ] a few kilometres from the ] and the ] of the ]. It is the centre of the ] metropolitan area.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.insee.fr/fr/metadonnees/geographie/commune/66136-perpignan|title=Commune de Perpignan (66136)|publisher=INSEE|access-date=26 September 2024}}</ref> | |||
In 2021, Perpignan had a population of 119,656 in the commune proper, and the ] had a total population of 205,183, making it the last major French city before the ] border. Perpignan is sometimes seen as the "entrance" to the ]. | |||
Perpignan was the capital of the ] and ] (''Rosselló'' in Catalan) and continental capital of the ] in the 13th and 14th centuries. It has preserved an extensive old centre with its ''bodegas'' in the historic centre, coloured houses in a series of picturesque streets and alleys stretching between the banks of the ] and its tributary, the Basse. | |||
The city is also known for its International Festival of Photojournalism, the medieval Trobades festival and its centuries-old ] industry. | |||
==Geography== | |||
===Location=== | |||
Perpignan is located in the center of the Roussillon plain, 13 km west of the Mediterranean coast. It is the southernmost city of ]. | |||
<gallery> | |||
File:Map commune FR insee code 66136.png|Map of Perpignan and its surrounding communes | |||
File:Perpignan Pyrenees-Orientales.png|Location within the ] '']''. | |||
</gallery> | |||
===Hydrography=== | |||
Perpignan is crossed by the largest river in Roussillon, the ], and by one of its tributaries, the Basse. Floods have occurred, as in 1892 when the rising of the Têt in Perpignan destroyed 39 houses, leaving more than 60 families homeless.<ref>{{cite web|author=Fabricio Cardenas |url=http://vieuxpapierspo.blogspot.fr/2014/03/inondations-en-novembre-1892.html |title=Vieux papiers des Pyrénées-Orientales: Inondations en novembre 1892 |website=Vieuxpapierspo.blogspot.fr |date=2 March 2014 |access-date=2016-12-17}}</ref> | |||
===Climate=== | |||
Perpignan has a typical hot-summer ] (] ''Csa''), similar to much of the Mediterranean coastline of France. One might expect rain to be rare in the city, but the annual precipitation levels are similar to the national average. However, the city is known for its patchy rains, with weeks or even months of rain falling in a matter of hours, followed by several weeks without a drop of water. Perpignan experiences very hot summers and fairly mild winters. Temperatures can reach 40 °C (104 °F), while there has been little snow for decades. Most precipitation occurs in the cold season, with summers being extremely dry. A fresh north-westerly wind often blows, the Tramontana (French: Tramontane, pronounced ), keeping the sky clear much of the time and resulting in high annual sunshine. But the presence of this wind makes winters colder than would be expected from the geographical position of the city. | |||
{{Weather box|location = Perpignan (1991–2020 normals), extremes since 1924 | |||
|metric first = Yes | |||
|single line = Yes | |||
|Jan record high C = 25.0 | |||
|Feb record high C = 26.5 | |||
|Mar record high C = 28.0 | |||
|Apr record high C = 32.4 | |||
|May record high C = 34.4 | |||
|Jun record high C = 42.4 | |||
|Jul record high C = 40.5 | |||
|Aug record high C = 39.9 | |||
|Sep record high C = 36.8 | |||
|Oct record high C = 34.2 | |||
|Nov record high C = 28.1 | |||
|Dec record high C = 26.7 | |||
|year record high C = 42.4 | |||
|Jan high C = 12.7 | |||
|Feb high C = 13.4 | |||
|Mar high C = 16.4 | |||
|Apr high C = 18.7 | |||
|May high C = 22.3 | |||
|Jun high C = 26.8 | |||
|Jul high C = 29.5 | |||
|Aug high C = 29.4 | |||
|Sep high C = 25.6 | |||
|Oct high C = 21.2 | |||
|Nov high C = 16.3 | |||
|Dec high C = 13.3 | |||
|year high C = | |||
|Jan mean C = 8.7 | |||
|Feb mean C = 9.2 | |||
|Mar mean C = 12.0 | |||
|Apr mean C = 14.2 | |||
|May mean C = 17.8 | |||
|Jun mean C = 22.0 | |||
|Jul mean C = 24.6 | |||
|Aug mean C = 24.5 | |||
|Sep mean C = 20.9 | |||
|Oct mean C = 17.0 | |||
|Nov mean C = 12.3 | |||
|Dec mean C = 9.3 | |||
|year mean C = | |||
|Jan low C = 4.8 | |||
|Feb low C = 5.0 | |||
|Mar low C = 7.6 | |||
|Apr low C = 9.7 | |||
|May low C = 13.3 | |||
|Jun low C = 17.2 | |||
|Jul low C = 19.7 | |||
|Aug low C = 19.7 | |||
|Sep low C = 16.1 | |||
|Oct low C = 12.9 | |||
|Nov low C = 8.4 | |||
|Dec low C = 5.3 | |||
|year low C = | |||
|Jan record low C = -8.2 | |||
|Feb record low C = -11.0 | |||
|Mar record low C = -5.9 | |||
|Apr record low C = 0.2 | |||
|May record low C = 2.4 | |||
|Jun record low C = 7.4 | |||
|Jul record low C = 11.2 | |||
|Aug record low C = 10.4 | |||
|Sep record low C = 5.0 | |||
|Oct record low C = 1.2 | |||
|Nov record low C = -5.7 | |||
|Dec record low C = -6.3 | |||
|year record low C = -11.0 | |||
|precipitation colour = green | |||
|Jan precipitation mm = 60.1 | |||
|Feb precipitation mm = 40.9 | |||
|Mar precipitation mm = 51.6 | |||
|Apr precipitation mm = 66.1 | |||
|May precipitation mm = 45.6 | |||
|Jun precipitation mm = 23.6 | |||
|Jul precipitation mm = 15.1 | |||
|Aug precipitation mm = 22.7 | |||
|Sep precipitation mm = 43.0 | |||
|Oct precipitation mm = 82.1 | |||
|Nov precipitation mm = 72.6 | |||
|Dec precipitation mm = 54.9 | |||
|year precipitation mm = | |||
|unit precipitation days = 1 mm | |||
|Jan precipitation days = 5.0 | |||
|Feb precipitation days = 3.8 | |||
|Mar precipitation days = 4.9 | |||
|Apr precipitation days = 6.2 | |||
|May precipitation days = 5.7 | |||
|Jun precipitation days = 3.8 | |||
|Jul precipitation days = 2.6 | |||
|Aug precipitation days = 3.1 | |||
|Sep precipitation days = 4.4 | |||
|Oct precipitation days = 5.0 | |||
|Nov precipitation days = 4.9 | |||
|Dec precipitation days = 4.7 | |||
|year precipitation days = | |||
|Jan humidity = 70 | |||
|Feb humidity = 68 | |||
|Mar humidity = 64 | |||
|Apr humidity = 64 | |||
|May humidity = 66 | |||
|Jun humidity = 62 | |||
|Jul humidity = 59 | |||
|Aug humidity = 63 | |||
|Sep humidity = 68 | |||
|Oct humidity = 73 | |||
|Nov humidity = 71 | |||
|Dec humidity = 71 | |||
|year humidity = 67 | |||
|Jan sun = 141 | |||
|Feb sun = 164 | |||
|Mar sun = 207 | |||
|Apr sun = 220 | |||
|May sun = 241 | |||
|Jun sun = 268 | |||
|Jul sun = 300 | |||
|Aug sun = 273 | |||
|Sep sun = 224 | |||
|Oct sun = 175 | |||
|Nov sun = 147 | |||
|Dec sun = 131 | |||
|year sun = | |||
|source 1= Météo France<ref name= Météo>{{cite web | |||
| url = https://donneespubliques.meteofrance.fr/FichesClim/FICHECLIM_66136001.pdf | |||
| title = Fiches climatologique, Perpignan (66) | |||
| publisher = Météo France | |||
| language = fr | |||
| access-date = 27 September 2023 | |||
}}</ref> | |||
|source 2 = Infoclimat.fr (humidity, 1961–1990)<ref name=Infoclimat>{{cite web | |||
| url = http://www.infoclimat.fr/climatologie-07747-perpignan-rivesaltes.html | |||
| title = Normes et records 1961-1990: Perpignan - Rivesaltes (66) - altitude 42m | |||
| language = fr | |||
| publisher = Infoclimat | |||
| access-date = 7 January 2016}}</ref> | |||
|date=August 2010 | |||
}} | |||
===Transport=== | |||
;Roads | |||
The ] motorway connects Perpignan with ] and ]. | |||
;Trains | |||
Perpignan is served by the ] railway station, which offers connections to ], Barcelona, ], and several regional destinations. ] proclaimed the station to be the "Cosmic Centre of the Universe" after experiencing a vision there in 1963.<ref>{{cite web|last=Coppens|first=Philip|title=Salvador Dalí: painting the fourth dimension|url=http://www.philipcoppens.com/dali.html|access-date=2012-06-18}}</ref> | |||
;Airport | |||
The nearest airport is ]. | |||
==Toponymy== | |||
The name of Perpignan appears in 927 as ''Perpinianum'', followed in 959 by ''Villa Perpiniano'', ''Pirpinianum'' in the 11th century, and ''Perpiniani'' in 1176. ''Perpenyà'', which appears in the 13th century, was the most common form until the 15th century, and was still used in the 17th century. It probably derives from the Roman name ''Perpennius''. | |||
==History== | ==History== | ||
{{see also|Timeline of Perpignan}} | |||
Though settlement in the area goes back to ], the medieval town of Perpignan seems to have been founded around the beginning of the 10th century (first mentioned in a document as ''villa Perpiniarum'' in ]). Soon Perpignan became the capital of the counts of ]. In ] Count ] bequeathed his lands to the ]. Perpignan acquired the institutions of a partly self-governing ] in ]. French ] over Roussillon were given up by ] in the ]. | |||
{{Quote box |width=30em |align=left |bgcolor=#FFFCCC | |||
|title=Historical affiliations | |||
|fontsize=85% |quote=<poem>*{{flagicon image|Flag of Roussillon.svg}} ] 927–1172 | |||
*{{flagicon image|Siñal d'Aragón.svg}} ] (''{{flagicon image|Siñal d'Aragón.svg}} ]'') 1172–1276 | |||
*{{flagicon image|Flag of the Kingdom of Majorca (1269).png}}]{{flagicon image|Bandera del Reino de Mallorca.svg}} ] 1276–1344 | |||
*{{flagicon image|Siñal d'Aragón.svg}} ] (''{{flagicon image|Siñal d'Aragón.svg}} ]'') 1344–1463 | |||
*{{flagicon image|Pavillon royal de la France.svg}} ] 1463–1493 | |||
*{{flagicon image|Siñal d'Aragón.svg}} ] (''{{flagicon image|Siñal d'Aragón.svg}} ]'', ''{{flag|Spanish Empire}}'') 1493–1659 | |||
*{{flagicon image|Pavillon royal de France.svg}}]{{flagicon image|Flag of France (1790–1794).svg}} ] 1659–1792 | |||
*{{flagicon image|Flag of France (1790–1794).svg}}]{{flagicon image|Flag of France (1794-1815).svg}} ] 1792–1804 | |||
*{{flagicon image|Flag of France (1794-1815).svg}} ] 1804–1815 | |||
*{{flagicon image|Royal flag of France during the Bourbon Restoration.svg}}]{{flagicon image|Flag of France (1794–1815, 1830–1958).svg}} ] 1815–1848 | |||
*{{flagicon image|Flag of France (1794–1815, 1830–1958).svg}} ] 1848–1852 | |||
*{{flagicon image|Flag of France (1794–1815, 1830–1958).svg}} ] 1852–1870 | |||
*{{flagicon image|Flag of France (1794–1815, 1830–1958).svg}} ] 1870–1940 | |||
*{{flagicon image|Flag of France (1794–1815, 1830–1958).svg}} ] 1940–1944 | |||
*{{flag|French Republic}} 1944–present</poem> | |||
}} | |||
] | |||
Though settlement in the area goes back to ] times, the medieval town of Perpignan seems to have been founded around the beginning of the 10th century. Shortly afterwards, Perpignan became the capital of the counts of ]. Historically, it was part of the region known as ]. In 1172 Count ] bequeathed his lands to the ]. Perpignan acquired the institutions of a partly self-governing ] in 1197. French ] over Roussillon were given up by ] in the ]. | |||
When ], king of ] and count of ], founded the ] in 1276, Perpignan became the capital of the mainland territories of the new state. The subsequent decades are considered the city's historical golden age. It prospered as a centre of cloth manufacture, leatherwork, goldsmithery, and other luxury crafts. King ] of ] died there in 1285, as he was returning from his unsuccessful ] against the ]. | |||
] '']'']] | |||
] | |||
In 1344 ] annexed the Kingdom of Majorca and Perpignan once more became part of the ]. A few years later it lost approximately half of its population to the ]. It was attacked and occupied by ] in 1463; a violent uprising against French rule in 1473 was harshly put down after a long siege, but in 1493 ], wishing to conciliate ] in order to free himself to invade ], restored it to ].{{sfn|Pigaillem|2008|p=109}} | |||
Again ] by the French during the ] in September 1642, Perpignan was formally ceded by Spain 17 years later in the ], and thereafter remained a French possession. | |||
When ], ] and ], erected the ] in ], Perpignan became the capital of the mainland territories of the new state. The succeeding decades are considered the golden age in the history of the city. It prospered as a centre of cloth manufacture, leather work, goldsmiths' work, and other luxury crafts. King ] died there in ], as he was returning from his unsuccessful ] against the ]. | |||
In June 2020, ] of the ] was elected mayor of Perpignan. This was the first time since 1995 that the far-right party had won a city of more than 100,000 people.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-election-perpignan/far-right-to-win-southern-french-town-of-perpignan-exit-poll-idUSKBN23Z0PM|title=Far-right to win southern French town of Perpignan: Exit poll|newspaper=Reuters|date=28 June 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.france24.com/en/20200628-france-s-greens-makes-gains-macron-loses-ground-in-low-turnout-local-elections|title = France's Greens make gains, Macron loses ground in low-turnout local elections|website=France24.com|date = 28 June 2020}}</ref> | |||
In ] ] annexed the Kingdom of Majorca and Perpignan once more became part of the County of Barcelona. A few years later it lost approximatively half of its population owing to the ]. It was attacked and occupied by ] of France in ]; a violent uprising against French rule in ] was harshly put down after a long siege, but in ] ], wishing to conciliate ] in order to free himself to invade ], restored it to ]. | |||
==Government and politics== | |||
Again besieged and captured by the French during the ] in September ], Perpignan was formally ceded by ] 17 years later in the ], and began then to form part of the Kingdom of France. | |||
] (City Hall)]] | |||
] in Perpignan.]] | |||
The ] (City Hall) dates back to 1318.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.mairie-perpignan.fr/culture-patrimoine/patrimoine/monuments/lhotel-de-ville|title=L'Hôtel de Ville|publisher=Mairie Perpignan|access-date=7 November 2024}}</ref> | |||
== |
===Mayors=== | ||
{|class="wikitable" | |||
The ] was begun in ] and finished in ].<ref>,,</ref> | |||
|- | |||
! Mayor | |||
! Term start | |||
! Term end | |||
|- | |||
|Edmond Benoit | |||
|align=center|July 1910 | |||
|align=center|May 1911 | |||
|- | |||
|Léon Nérel | |||
|align=center|May 1911 | |||
|align=center|May 1912 | |||
|- | |||
|Joseph Denis | |||
|align=center|May 1912 | |||
|align=center|May 1929 | |||
|- | |||
|] | |||
|align=center|May 1929 | |||
|align=center|May 1935 | |||
|- | |||
|Jean Payra | |||
|align=center|May 1935 | |||
|align=center|29 May 1937 (death) | |||
|- | |||
|Laurent Baudru | |||
|align=center|June 1937 | |||
|align=center|December 1940 | |||
|- | |||
|Antoine Castillon | |||
|align=center|December 1940 | |||
|align=center|March 1941 | |||
|- | |||
|Ferdinand Coudray | |||
|align=center|March 1941 | |||
|align=center|August 1944 | |||
|- | |||
|Félix Mercader | |||
|align=center|August 1944 | |||
|align=center|11 March 1949 (death) | |||
|- | |||
|Félix Depardon | |||
|align=center|April 1949 | |||
|align=center|March 1959 | |||
|- | |||
|] | |||
|align=center|March 1959 | |||
|align=center|May 1993 | |||
|- | |||
|] | |||
|align=center|June 1993 | |||
|align=center|27 April 2009 (election of 2008 cancelled) | |||
|- | |||
|Bernard Bacou (retired magistrate acting as mayor) | |||
|align=center|27 April 2009 | |||
|align=center|5 July 2009 | |||
|- | |||
|] | |||
|align=center|5 July 2009 | |||
|align=center|15 October 2009 (resignation) | |||
|- | |||
|Jean-Marc Pujol | |||
|align=center|22 October 2009 | |||
|align=center|3 July 2020 | |||
|- | |||
|] | |||
|align=center|3 July 2020 | |||
|align=center| | |||
|} | |||
===International relations=== | |||
The 13th century ] sits on the high citadel, surrounded by ramparts, reinforced for ] and ], which were updated in the 17th century by ]'s military engineer ]. | |||
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in France}} | |||
;Twin towns – sister cities | |||
The walls surrounding the town, which had been designed by Vauban, were razed in 1904 to accommodate urban development. | |||
Perpignan is ] with: | |||
{| class="wikitable" | |||
|- valign="top" | |||
| | |||
*{{flagicon|GER}} ], Germany, since 1960<ref name="Hanover">{{cite web|url=http://www.hannover.de/de/buerger/entwicklung/partnerschaften/staedte_regionspartnerschaften/index.html|title=Hanover – Twin Towns|website=Hanover.de|language=de|access-date=17 July 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724012346/http://www.hannover.de/de/buerger/entwicklung/partnerschaften/staedte_regionspartnerschaften/index.html|archive-date=24 July 2011}}</ref> | |||
*{{flagicon|UK}} ], ], since 1962<ref name="Archant twinning">{{cite web|url=http://www.completefrance.com/language-culture/twin-towns|title=British towns twinned with French towns|access-date= 11 July 2013|work=Archant Community Media Ltd}}</ref> | |||
*{{flagicon|USA}} ], United States, since 1993 | |||
|| | |||
*{{flagicon|USA}} ], United States, since 1994<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sarasotasistercities.org/Perpignan.html |title=Sarasota Sister Cities Association, Sarasota Florida |publisher=Sarasotasistercities.org |access-date=15 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329100219/http://www.sarasotasistercities.org/Perpignan.html |archive-date=29 March 2012 }}</ref> | |||
*{{flagicon|LIB}} ], Lebanon, since 1997 | |||
*{{flagicon|ESP}} ], Catalonia, Spain since 2005 | |||
|} | |||
;Partner towns | |||
==Economy== | |||
{| class="wikitable" | |||
Traditional commerce was in ] and ], corks (the ] ''Quercus suber'' grows in Perpignan's mild climate), wool and leather, and iron. In May ] it was a seat of agitation by southern producers for government enforcement of ] quality following a collapse in prices. | |||
|- valign="top" | |||
| | |||
*{{flagicon|ESP}} ], Catalonia, Spain, since 1988 | |||
*{{flagicon|ESP}} ], Catalonia, Spain, since 1994 | |||
*{{flagicon|ESP}} ], Catalonia, Spain, since 1996 | |||
|| | |||
*{{flagicon|ISR}} ], Israel, since 1998 | |||
*{{flagicon|POR}} ], Portugal, since 2001 | |||
|} | |||
== Education == | |||
More than 10,000 students between the ages of 2 and 12 attend 61 preschools and primary schools in the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mairie-perpignan.fr/fr/education-et-petite-enfance/ecoles|title=Écoles|website=Marie de Perpignan|access-date=16 January 2020}}</ref> Perpignan also has 26 high schools.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.journaldesfemmes.fr/maman/ecole/perpignan/ville-66136|title=ECOLES À PERPIGNAN (66000)|website=Journaldesfemmes|access-date=16 January 2019}}</ref> | |||
==Population== | |||
{{Historical populations | |||
| align = none | |||
| cols = 2 | |||
| percentages = pagr | |||
| source = EHESS<ref name=ehess>{{Cassini-Ehess|26522|Perpignan}}</ref> and INSEE (1968-2017)<ref name=pophist>, INSEE</ref> | |||
| graph-pos = bottom | |||
|1793 | 9134 | |||
|1800 | 10415 | |||
|1806 | 12499 | |||
|1821 | 14864 | |||
|1831 | 17114 | |||
|1836 | 17618 | |||
|1841 | 20792 | |||
|1846 | 22706 | |||
|1851 | 21783 | |||
|1856 | 23301 | |||
|1861 | 23462 | |||
|1866 | 25264 | |||
|1872 | 27378 | |||
|1876 | 28353 | |||
|1881 | 31735 | |||
|1886 | 34183 | |||
|1891 | 33878 | |||
|1896 | 35088 | |||
|1901 | 36157 | |||
|1906 | 38898 | |||
|1911 | 39510 | |||
|1921 | 53742 | |||
|1926 | 68835 | |||
|1931 | 73962 | |||
|1936 | 72207 | |||
|1946 | 74984 | |||
|1954 | 70051 | |||
|1962 | 83025 | |||
|1968 | 102191 | |||
|1975 | 106426 | |||
|1982 | 111669 | |||
|1990 | 105983 | |||
|1999 | 105115 | |||
|2007 | 116041 | |||
|2012 | 120489 | |||
|2017 | 120158 | |||
}} | |||
==Culture== | |||
]" folklore celebrated in Perpignan, ], and ].]] | |||
Since 2004, the free three-day '']'' has been held each year in the last weekend of August in the ]. The festival has a broad mainstream focus with pop-related music as well as traditional acoustic guitar music and alternative music. The festival has attracted international guests like ] (2007), '']'', ], ], ], and ] (2008). | |||
Each September, Perpignan hosts the internationally renowned ] festival of ]. Free exhibitions are mounted in the Couvent des Minimes, Chapelle des Dominicaines and other buildings in the old town.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://anglophone-direct.com/festival-visa-pour-limage/|title=Visa Pour l'Image|date=22 August 2017|website=Anglophone-direct.com}}</ref> | |||
In 2008, Perpignan became Capital of Catalan Culture.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vilaweb.cat/www/diariescola/noticia?id=2688762 |title=VilaWeb - Diari escola: Perpinyа, Capital de la Cultura Catalana 2008 |website=Vilaweb.cat |date=2016-04-20 |access-date=2016-12-17}}</ref> Many ] in the city are in both ] and ]. | |||
] and ].]] | |||
==Sport== | ==Sport== | ||
].]] | |||
Perpignan is a rugby stronghold |
Like the rest of the south of France, Perpignan is a rugby stronghold. Their ] side, ], are regular competitors in the ] and have been champions of the French ] seven times (most recently in ]). They play at the ]. | ||
Their ] team ] plays in the British ]. The Dragons' games in Perpignan against the Northern English-based sides are usually very popular with British rugby fans, with thousands descending on the city on the day of the game, including many holidaying fans travelling up from the Spanish ] to join those who came directly from the UK. The club was founded in 2000 as a merger of ] with the nearby team ] to form Union Treiziste Catalane in 2000 who changed their name to Catalans Dragons upon transfer from the ] to ]. The Dragons became the first non-English team to win the ] when they defeated ] in the ]. They are based at ]. AS Saint Estève's youth teams still operates as ] in the ], while a new ] club was formed in 2000 under the name ] which is in effect Catalans Dragons reserves; both play at the ] in the suburb of ]. | |||
==Miscellaneous== | |||
]" folklore, once forbidden, is still celebrated in Perpignan, ] and ].]] | |||
Perpignan has a close connection with the sculptor ], who attended school there. | |||
The local ] team is ]. | |||
Following a visit in ], the Spanish ] artist ] declared the city's ] the centre of the ], saying that he always got his best ideas sitting in the waiting room. He followed that up some years later by declaring that the Iberian Peninsula rotated precisely at Perpignan station 132 million years ago - an event the artist invoked in his 1983 painting ''Topological Abduction of Europe - Homage to ]''.<ref>Elliott King in Dawn Ades (ed.), ''Dalí'', Bompiani Arte, Milan, 2004, p. 448</ref> Above the station is a monument in Dali's honour, and across the surface of one of the main platforms is painted, in big letters, « <span style="font-variant:small-caps">perpignan centre du monde</span> » (French for "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">perpignan centre of the world</span>").<ref> http://railfaneurope.net/pix/fr/electric/emu/TGV/Duplex/misc/pix.html</ref> | |||
There is also an ] club, ], and ] club ]. | |||
===Notable people born in Perpignan=== | |||
* ] (] - ]), a female Lyon poet of the ] which at the siege of Perpignan, or in a tournament there, is said to have dressed in male clothing and fought on horseback in the ranks of the Dauphin, afterwards Henry II | |||
* ] (]-]), who painted the definitive portraits of Louis XIV | |||
* ] (]-]), the physicist, astronomer and liberal politician, who secured the abolition of ] in the ] in 1853, was born in the nearby village of ] (]) and is memorialized in the eponymous Place Arago that bears his statue in the centre of the town. | |||
* ] (]-]), pro-] author in ] and ] supporter who supported the ban on ]. | |||
* ] (born ]), French freestyle and butterfly swimmer who competed at two consecutive ] (] and ]) | |||
* ] (born 1968) pianist - Youngest recipient of the French Minister of Culture Prize at 13 years old. She lives in Philadelphia where she became National Interest for the United States | |||
The ] was a ] event that was held between ] and ] in the ] of Perpignan. | |||
===Sister cities=== | |||
* Sister cities: | |||
** {{flagicon|Germany}} ], ], from ] | |||
** {{flagicon|UK}} ], ], from ] | |||
** {{flagicon|USA}} ], ], from ] | |||
** {{flagicon|USA}} ], United States, from ] (http://www.sarasotasistercities.org/Perpignan.html) | |||
** {{flagicon|Lebanon}} ], ], from ] | |||
==Economy== | |||
* Partner towns: | |||
Traditional commerce was in wine, ], corks (the ] ''Quercus suber'' grows in Perpignan's mild climate), wool, leather, and iron. In May 1907 it was a seat of agitation by southern producers for government enforcement of wine quality following a collapse in prices. ] are currently manufactured in Perpignan. | |||
** {{flagicon|Spain}} ], ], from ] | |||
** {{flagicon|Spain}} ], ], from ] | |||
==Sites of interest== | |||
** {{flagicon|Spain}} ], ], from ] | |||
Construction work on ] began in 1324 and finished in 1509.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://histoireduroussillon.free.fr/Thematiques/Batiments/Histoire/CathedralePerpignan.php |title=Cathédrale St Jean-Baptiste |trans-title=Cathedral of St. John the Baptist |work=Histoire du Roussillon |access-date=15 November 2011}} {{in lang|fr}}</ref> | |||
** {{flagicon|Israel}} ], ], from ] | |||
** {{flagicon|Portugal}} ], ], from ] | |||
The 13th century ] sits on the high citadel, surrounded by ramparts, reinforced for ] and ], which were updated in the 17th century by ]'s military engineer ]. | |||
The walls surrounding the town, which had likewise been designed by Vauban, were razed in 1904 to accommodate urban development. The main city gate, the ] is a small fortress built in the 14th century, which has been preserved. It was also used as a prison until the end of the 19th century.<ref>{{cite web|author=Fabricio Cardenas |url=http://vieuxpapierspo.blogspot.fr/2014/03/la-prison-du-castillet-1892.html |title=Vieux papiers des Pyrénées-Orientales: La prison du Castillet, 1892 |website=Vieuxpapierspo.blogspot.fr |date=20 March 2014 |access-date=2016-12-17}}</ref> | |||
The ] is a lavishly-decorated mansion designed for ] that illustrates the artistic tastes of the wealthy bourgeois at the turn of the 20th century.<ref>{{citation|url=http://appvcv.free.fr/patrimoine/periodes/19esiecle/hotelpamsperpignan/hotelpamsperpignanpedagogique.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://appvcv.free.fr/patrimoine/periodes/19esiecle/hotelpamsperpignan/hotelpamsperpignanpedagogique.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |title=Fiche Pédagogique - Hôtel Pams de Perpignan|language=fr|publisher=Association Pédagogique de la Plaine, du Vallespir et de la Côte Vermeille|access-date=2015-12-31}}</ref> | |||
Les Halles de Vauban are a new addition to the banks of the city's canal. Opened in November 2017, the indoor markets are privately owned and cost €1.5 million. Split into two locations, vendors offer fresh fruit and vegetables, bread, flowers, cheese, and other items. There is a bar and central eating court with a range of tapas, burgers, omelettes and food from around the world.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://anglophone-direct.com/les-halles-vauban/|title=Indoor markets bring new life to Perpignan {{!}} P-O Life|date=2017-12-19|work=anglophone-direct|access-date=2018-10-14|language=en-GB}}</ref> | |||
] | |||
] | |||
{{clear}} | |||
==Notable people linked to Perpignan== | |||
* ] (c.1763–1835), violinist, composer, and music publisher | |||
* ] (born 1976), guitarist | |||
* ] (1602–1676), abbess | |||
* ] (1786–1853), physicist, astronomer, and liberal politician | |||
* ] (1821–1911), composer and conductor | |||
* ] (1815–1892), composer and conductor | |||
* ] (born 1981), freestyle and butterfly swimmer | |||
* ] (1909–1945), fascist author and journalist | |||
* ] (1847–1883), ] officer who fought in Japan | |||
* ] (1908–2002), Irish aid worker | |||
* ] (born 1972), footballer | |||
* ] (1775–1849), classical guitarist and composer | |||
* ] (1795–1864), French horn player and composer | |||
* ] (born 1962), novelist | |||
* ] (1524–1566), Lyons poet of the ] | |||
* ] (1861–1944), sculptor and painter | |||
* ] (1886–1956), communist leader | |||
* ] (1249–c.1310), Catalan rabbi, Talmudist, and ] | |||
* ] (born 1966), actress | |||
* ] (1659–1743), painter | |||
Following a visit in 1963, the Catalan ] artist ] declared ] the ], claiming that he always had his best ideas sitting in its waiting room. Dalí's painting '']'' commemorates his vision of "cosmogonic ecstasy" there on 19 September 1963.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.philipcoppens.com/dali.html |title=Salvador Dali: painting the fourth dimension |website=Philipcoppens.com |access-date=2016-12-17}}</ref> He followed that up some years later by declaring that the Iberian Peninsula rotated precisely at Perpignan station 132 million years ago – an event the artist invoked in his 1983 painting ''Topological Abduction of Europe – Homage to ]''.<ref>Elliott King in ] (ed.), ''Dalí'', Bompiani Arte, Milan, 2004, p. 448.</ref> Above the station is a monument in Dali's honour, and across the surface of one of the main platforms is painted, in large letters, «<span style="font-variant:small-caps">perpignan centre du monde</span>» (French for "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">perpignan centre of the world</span>").<ref>{{cite web|url=http://railfaneurope.net/pix/fr/electric/emu/TGV/Duplex/misc/pix.html |title=Picture Gallery - Directory: /pix/fr/electric/emu/TGV/Duplex/misc |website=Railfaneurope.net |access-date=2016-12-17}}</ref> | |||
] | |||
==Gallery== | |||
<gallery> | |||
Perpignan Castillet 1.jpg|Le Castillet | |||
Perpignanrivierebasse.jpg|Bridge over the Basse | |||
Font sirenes Perpinya.jpg|Mermaids fountain | |||
086 Perpignan Rue.JPG|City centre | |||
Le cinéma art nouveau "le Castillet" (Perpignan) (8846519405).jpg|Cinéma Le Castillet | |||
ChateauRoussillon Tour.jpg|Château Roussillon: tower of the old castle (13th and 14th centuries) | |||
ChateauRoussillon ChapelleStPierre 01.jpg|Château Roussillon: Sainte-Marie and Saint-Pierre chapel (11th and 12th centuries) | |||
087 Perpignan La Loge de Mer -1397, agrandi au XVIème-.JPG | |||
Perpignan Cathedral 2020 - Nave.jpg|Cathédrale Saint-Jean | |||
Lycée françois arago.jpeg|François Arago Lyceum | |||
Palaisdesrois.jpg|Palace of the Kings of Mallorca | |||
Perpignan bridge.JPG|The bridge | |||
</gallery> | |||
==See also== | |||
] | |||
*] | |||
*] | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{Reflist|30em}} | |||
{{reflist}}* Alícia Marcet, ''Histoire de Perpignan, la fidelíssima'' (1995). | |||
==Bibliography== | |||
{{See also|Timeline of Perpignan#Bibliography|l1=Bibliography of the history of Perpignan}} | |||
*{{cite book |title=Anne de Bretagne epouse de Charles VIII et de Louis XII |first=Henri |last=Pigaillem |publisher=Pygmalion |year=2008 }} | |||
*Alícia Marcet, ''Histoire de Perpignan, la fidelíssima'' (1995), Perpinyà : Llibres del Trabucaire, {{ISBN|9782905828613}} | |||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
{{Commons}} | |||
{{commons|Perpignan}} | |||
{{wikivoyage|Perpignan}} | |||
* {{Official website}} | |||
* {{in lang|fr}} | |||
* | |||
* | |||
* {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130623030239/http://www.perpignanairport.net/ |date=23 June 2013 }} | |||
* {{in lang|fr}} | |||
{{Geographic location | |||
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|Southwest = ],<br />] | |||
|South = ], ] | |||
|Southeast = ],<br />]<br />] (by a ]) | |||
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{{Prefectures of departments of France}} | {{Prefectures of departments of France}} | ||
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Latest revision as of 00:46, 9 November 2024
For the wine grape, see Perpignan (grape). For the Rugby Club, see USA Perpignan.Prefecture and commune in Occitania, France
Perpignan Perpinyà (Catalan) | |
---|---|
Prefecture and commune | |
Coat of arms | |
Location of Perpignan | |
PerpignanShow map of FrancePerpignanShow map of Occitanie | |
Coordinates: 42°41′55″N 2°53′44″E / 42.6986°N 2.8956°E / 42.6986; 2.8956 | |
Country | France |
Region | Occitania |
Department | Pyrénées-Orientales |
Arrondissement | Perpignan |
Canton | Perpignan-1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 |
Intercommunality | Perpignan Méditerranée Métropole |
Government | |
• Mayor (2020–2026) | Louis Aliot (RN) |
Area | 68.07 km (26.28 sq mi) |
Population | 120,996 |
• Density | 1,800/km (4,600/sq mi) |
Demonym(s) | Perpignanais (masc.), Perpignanaise (fem.) (French) perpinyanès (masc.), perpinyanesa (fem.) (Catalan) |
Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (CEST) |
INSEE/Postal code | 66136 /66000 |
Elevation | 8–95 m (26–312 ft) (avg. 30 m or 98 ft) |
Website | Mairie-Perpignan.fr (in French) |
French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. |
Perpignan (UK: /ˈpɜːrpɪnjɒ̃/, US: /ˌpɛərpiːˈnjɑːn/, French: [pɛʁpiɲɑ̃] ; Catalan: Perpinyà [pəɾpiˈɲa]; Occitan: Perpinhan [peɾpiˈɲa]) is the prefecture of the Pyrénées-Orientales department in Southern France, in the heart of the plain of Roussillon, at the foot of the Pyrenees a few kilometres from the Mediterranean Sea and the scrublands of the Corbières massif. It is the centre of the Perpignan Méditerranée Métropole metropolitan area.
In 2021, Perpignan had a population of 119,656 in the commune proper, and the agglomeration had a total population of 205,183, making it the last major French city before the Spanish border. Perpignan is sometimes seen as the "entrance" to the Iberian Peninsula.
Perpignan was the capital of the former province and County of Roussillon (Rosselló in Catalan) and continental capital of the Kingdom of Majorca in the 13th and 14th centuries. It has preserved an extensive old centre with its bodegas in the historic centre, coloured houses in a series of picturesque streets and alleys stretching between the banks of the Têt and its tributary, the Basse.
The city is also known for its International Festival of Photojournalism, the medieval Trobades festival and its centuries-old garnet industry.
Geography
Location
Perpignan is located in the center of the Roussillon plain, 13 km west of the Mediterranean coast. It is the southernmost city of metropolitan France.
- Map of Perpignan and its surrounding communes
- Location within the Pyrénées-Orientales département.
Hydrography
Perpignan is crossed by the largest river in Roussillon, the Têt, and by one of its tributaries, the Basse. Floods have occurred, as in 1892 when the rising of the Têt in Perpignan destroyed 39 houses, leaving more than 60 families homeless.
Climate
Perpignan has a typical hot-summer Mediterranean climate (Köppen Csa), similar to much of the Mediterranean coastline of France. One might expect rain to be rare in the city, but the annual precipitation levels are similar to the national average. However, the city is known for its patchy rains, with weeks or even months of rain falling in a matter of hours, followed by several weeks without a drop of water. Perpignan experiences very hot summers and fairly mild winters. Temperatures can reach 40 °C (104 °F), while there has been little snow for decades. Most precipitation occurs in the cold season, with summers being extremely dry. A fresh north-westerly wind often blows, the Tramontana (French: Tramontane, pronounced ), keeping the sky clear much of the time and resulting in high annual sunshine. But the presence of this wind makes winters colder than would be expected from the geographical position of the city.
Climate data for Perpignan (1991–2020 normals), extremes since 1924 | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °C (°F) | 25.0 (77.0) |
26.5 (79.7) |
28.0 (82.4) |
32.4 (90.3) |
34.4 (93.9) |
42.4 (108.3) |
40.5 (104.9) |
39.9 (103.8) |
36.8 (98.2) |
34.2 (93.6) |
28.1 (82.6) |
26.7 (80.1) |
42.4 (108.3) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 12.7 (54.9) |
13.4 (56.1) |
16.4 (61.5) |
18.7 (65.7) |
22.3 (72.1) |
26.8 (80.2) |
29.5 (85.1) |
29.4 (84.9) |
25.6 (78.1) |
21.2 (70.2) |
16.3 (61.3) |
13.3 (55.9) |
20.5 (68.8) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | 8.7 (47.7) |
9.2 (48.6) |
12.0 (53.6) |
14.2 (57.6) |
17.8 (64.0) |
22.0 (71.6) |
24.6 (76.3) |
24.5 (76.1) |
20.9 (69.6) |
17.0 (62.6) |
12.3 (54.1) |
9.3 (48.7) |
16.0 (60.9) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 4.8 (40.6) |
5.0 (41.0) |
7.6 (45.7) |
9.7 (49.5) |
13.3 (55.9) |
17.2 (63.0) |
19.7 (67.5) |
19.7 (67.5) |
16.1 (61.0) |
12.9 (55.2) |
8.4 (47.1) |
5.3 (41.5) |
11.6 (53.0) |
Record low °C (°F) | −8.2 (17.2) |
−11.0 (12.2) |
−5.9 (21.4) |
0.2 (32.4) |
2.4 (36.3) |
7.4 (45.3) |
11.2 (52.2) |
10.4 (50.7) |
5.0 (41.0) |
1.2 (34.2) |
−5.7 (21.7) |
−6.3 (20.7) |
−11.0 (12.2) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 60.1 (2.37) |
40.9 (1.61) |
51.6 (2.03) |
66.1 (2.60) |
45.6 (1.80) |
23.6 (0.93) |
15.1 (0.59) |
22.7 (0.89) |
43.0 (1.69) |
82.1 (3.23) |
72.6 (2.86) |
54.9 (2.16) |
578.3 (22.76) |
Average precipitation days (≥ 1 mm) | 5.0 | 3.8 | 4.9 | 6.2 | 5.7 | 3.8 | 2.6 | 3.1 | 4.4 | 5.0 | 4.9 | 4.7 | 54.1 |
Average relative humidity (%) | 70 | 68 | 64 | 64 | 66 | 62 | 59 | 63 | 68 | 73 | 71 | 71 | 67 |
Mean monthly sunshine hours | 141 | 164 | 207 | 220 | 241 | 268 | 300 | 273 | 224 | 175 | 147 | 131 | 2,491 |
Source 1: Météo France | |||||||||||||
Source 2: Infoclimat.fr (humidity, 1961–1990) |
Transport
- Roads
The A9 motorway connects Perpignan with Barcelona and Montpellier.
- Trains
Perpignan is served by the Gare de Perpignan railway station, which offers connections to Paris, Barcelona, Toulouse, and several regional destinations. Salvador Dalí proclaimed the station to be the "Cosmic Centre of the Universe" after experiencing a vision there in 1963.
- Airport
The nearest airport is Perpignan–Rivesaltes Airport.
Toponymy
The name of Perpignan appears in 927 as Perpinianum, followed in 959 by Villa Perpiniano, Pirpinianum in the 11th century, and Perpiniani in 1176. Perpenyà, which appears in the 13th century, was the most common form until the 15th century, and was still used in the 17th century. It probably derives from the Roman name Perpennius.
History
See also: Timeline of Perpignan Historical affiliations
- County of Roussillon 927–1172
- Principality of Catalonia ( Crown of Aragon) 1172–1276
- Kingdom of Majorca 1276–1344
- Principality of Catalonia ( Crown of Aragon) 1344–1463
- Kingdom of France 1463–1493
- Principality of Catalonia ( Crown of Aragon, Spanish Empire) 1493–1659
- Kingdom of France 1659–1792
- French Republic 1792–1804
- French Empire 1804–1815
- Kingdom of France 1815–1848
- French Republic 1848–1852
- French Empire 1852–1870
- French Republic 1870–1940
- French State 1940–1944
- French Republic 1944–present
Though settlement in the area goes back to Roman times, the medieval town of Perpignan seems to have been founded around the beginning of the 10th century. Shortly afterwards, Perpignan became the capital of the counts of Roussillon. Historically, it was part of the region known as Septimania. In 1172 Count Girard II bequeathed his lands to the Counts of Barcelona. Perpignan acquired the institutions of a partly self-governing commune in 1197. French feudal rights over Roussillon were given up by Louis IX in the Treaty of Corbeil.
When James I the Conqueror, king of Aragon and count of Barcelona, founded the Kingdom of Majorca in 1276, Perpignan became the capital of the mainland territories of the new state. The subsequent decades are considered the city's historical golden age. It prospered as a centre of cloth manufacture, leatherwork, goldsmithery, and other luxury crafts. King Philippe III of France died there in 1285, as he was returning from his unsuccessful crusade against the Aragonese Crown.
In 1344 Peter IV of Aragon annexed the Kingdom of Majorca and Perpignan once more became part of the Principality of Catalonia. A few years later it lost approximately half of its population to the Black Death. It was attacked and occupied by Louis XI of France in 1463; a violent uprising against French rule in 1473 was harshly put down after a long siege, but in 1493 Charles VIII of France, wishing to conciliate Castile in order to free himself to invade Italy, restored it to Ferdinand II of Aragon.
Again besieged and captured by the French during the Thirty Years' War in September 1642, Perpignan was formally ceded by Spain 17 years later in the Treaty of the Pyrenees, and thereafter remained a French possession.
In June 2020, Louis Aliot of the National Rally was elected mayor of Perpignan. This was the first time since 1995 that the far-right party had won a city of more than 100,000 people.
Government and politics
The Hôtel de Ville (City Hall) dates back to 1318.
Mayors
Mayor | Term start | Term end |
---|---|---|
Edmond Benoit | July 1910 | May 1911 |
Léon Nérel | May 1911 | May 1912 |
Joseph Denis | May 1912 | May 1929 |
Victor Dalbiez | May 1929 | May 1935 |
Jean Payra | May 1935 | 29 May 1937 (death) |
Laurent Baudru | June 1937 | December 1940 |
Antoine Castillon | December 1940 | March 1941 |
Ferdinand Coudray | March 1941 | August 1944 |
Félix Mercader | August 1944 | 11 March 1949 (death) |
Félix Depardon | April 1949 | March 1959 |
Paul Alduy | March 1959 | May 1993 |
Jean-Paul Alduy | June 1993 | 27 April 2009 (election of 2008 cancelled) |
Bernard Bacou (retired magistrate acting as mayor) | 27 April 2009 | 5 July 2009 |
Jean-Paul Alduy | 5 July 2009 | 15 October 2009 (resignation) |
Jean-Marc Pujol | 22 October 2009 | 3 July 2020 |
Louis Aliot | 3 July 2020 |
International relations
See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in France- Twin towns – sister cities
Perpignan is twinned with:
|
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- Partner towns
|
Education
More than 10,000 students between the ages of 2 and 12 attend 61 preschools and primary schools in the city. Perpignan also has 26 high schools.
Population
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Source: EHESS and INSEE (1968-2017) |
Culture
Since 2004, the free three-day Guitares au Palais has been held each year in the last weekend of August in the Palace of the Kings of Majorca. The festival has a broad mainstream focus with pop-related music as well as traditional acoustic guitar music and alternative music. The festival has attracted international guests like Caetano Veloso (2007), Rumberos Catalans, Pedro Soler, Bernardo Sandoval, Peter Finger, and Aaron and Bryce Dessner (2008).
Each September, Perpignan hosts the internationally renowned Visa pour l'Image festival of photojournalism. Free exhibitions are mounted in the Couvent des Minimes, Chapelle des Dominicaines and other buildings in the old town.
In 2008, Perpignan became Capital of Catalan Culture. Many street name signs in the city are in both French and Catalan.
Sport
Like the rest of the south of France, Perpignan is a rugby stronghold. Their rugby union side, USA Perpignan, are regular competitors in the European Rugby Champions Cup and have been champions of the French Top 14 seven times (most recently in 2009). They play at the Stade Aimé Giral.
Their rugby league team Catalans Dragons plays in the British Super League. The Dragons' games in Perpignan against the Northern English-based sides are usually very popular with British rugby fans, with thousands descending on the city on the day of the game, including many holidaying fans travelling up from the Spanish Costa Brava to join those who came directly from the UK. The club was founded in 2000 as a merger of XIII Catalan with the nearby team AS Saint Estève to form Union Treiziste Catalane in 2000 who changed their name to Catalans Dragons upon transfer from the French to British rugby league system. The Dragons became the first non-English team to win the Challenge Cup when they defeated Warrington Wolves in the 2018 final. They are based at Stade Gilbert Brutus. AS Saint Estève's youth teams still operates as Saint-Estève XIII Mavericks in the National Division 2, while a new Elite One Championship club was formed in 2000 under the name Saint-Estève XIII Catalan which is in effect Catalans Dragons reserves; both play at the Stade Municipal in the suburb of Saint-Estève.
The local association football team is Canet Roussillon FC.
There is also an Australian rules football club, Perpignan Tigers, and American football club Grizzlys Catalans.
The Roussillon Grand Prix was a Grand Prix motor racing event that was held between 1946 and 1949 in the streets of Perpignan.
Economy
Traditional commerce was in wine, olive oil, corks (the cork oak Quercus suber grows in Perpignan's mild climate), wool, leather, and iron. In May 1907 it was a seat of agitation by southern producers for government enforcement of wine quality following a collapse in prices. JOB rolling papers are currently manufactured in Perpignan.
Sites of interest
Construction work on Perpignan Cathedral began in 1324 and finished in 1509.
The 13th century Palace of the Kings of Majorca sits on the high citadel, surrounded by ramparts, reinforced for Louis XI and Charles V, which were updated in the 17th century by Louis XIV's military engineer Vauban.
The walls surrounding the town, which had likewise been designed by Vauban, were razed in 1904 to accommodate urban development. The main city gate, the Castillet is a small fortress built in the 14th century, which has been preserved. It was also used as a prison until the end of the 19th century.
The Hôtel Pams is a lavishly-decorated mansion designed for Jules Pams that illustrates the artistic tastes of the wealthy bourgeois at the turn of the 20th century.
Les Halles de Vauban are a new addition to the banks of the city's canal. Opened in November 2017, the indoor markets are privately owned and cost €1.5 million. Split into two locations, vendors offer fresh fruit and vegetables, bread, flowers, cheese, and other items. There is a bar and central eating court with a range of tapas, burgers, omelettes and food from around the world.
Notable people linked to Perpignan
- Paul Alday (c.1763–1835), violinist, composer, and music publisher
- Christian Andreu (born 1976), guitarist
- Anna Maria Antigó (1602–1676), abbess
- François Arago (1786–1853), physicist, astronomer, and liberal politician
- Alexandre Artus (1821–1911), composer and conductor
- Amédée Artus (1815–1892), composer and conductor
- Frédérick Bousquet (born 1981), freestyle and butterfly swimmer
- Robert Brasillach (1909–1945), fascist author and journalist
- Eugène Collache (1847–1883), French Navy officer who fought in Japan
- Mary Elmes (1908–2002), Irish aid worker
- Jean-Luc Escayol (born 1972), footballer
- François de Fossa (1775–1849), classical guitarist and composer
- Jacques-François Gallay (1795–1864), French horn player and composer
- Philippe Georget (born 1962), novelist
- Louise Labé (1524–1566), Lyons poet of the Renaissance
- Aristide Maillol (1861–1944), sculptor and painter
- André Marty (1886–1956), communist leader
- Menachem Meiri (1249–c.1310), Catalan rabbi, Talmudist, and Maimonidean
- Isabelle Pasco (born 1966), actress
- Hyacinthe Rigaud (1659–1743), painter
Following a visit in 1963, the Catalan surrealist artist Salvador Dalí declared the city's railway station the centre of the Universe, claiming that he always had his best ideas sitting in its waiting room. Dalí's painting La Gare de Perpignan commemorates his vision of "cosmogonic ecstasy" there on 19 September 1963. He followed that up some years later by declaring that the Iberian Peninsula rotated precisely at Perpignan station 132 million years ago – an event the artist invoked in his 1983 painting Topological Abduction of Europe – Homage to René Thom. Above the station is a monument in Dali's honour, and across the surface of one of the main platforms is painted, in large letters, «perpignan centre du monde» (French for "perpignan centre of the world").
Gallery
- Le Castillet
- Bridge over the Basse
- Mermaids fountain
- City centre
- Cinéma Le Castillet
- Château Roussillon: tower of the old castle (13th and 14th centuries)
- Château Roussillon: Sainte-Marie and Saint-Pierre chapel (11th and 12th centuries)
- Cathédrale Saint-Jean
- François Arago Lyceum
- Palace of the Kings of Mallorca
- The bridge
See also
References
- "Répertoire national des élus: les maires" (in French). data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises. 6 June 2023.
- "Populations de référence 2022" (in French). The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 19 December 2024.
- Wells, John C. (2008). Longman Pronunciation Dictionary (3rd ed.). Longman. ISBN 978-1-4058-8118-0.
- Jones, Daniel (2011). Roach, Peter; Setter, Jane; Esling, John (eds.). Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary (18th ed.). Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-15255-6.
- "Commune de Perpignan (66136)". INSEE. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
- Fabricio Cardenas (2 March 2014). "Vieux papiers des Pyrénées-Orientales: Inondations en novembre 1892". Vieuxpapierspo.blogspot.fr. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
- "Fiches climatologique, Perpignan (66)" (PDF) (in French). Météo France. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
- "Normes et records 1961-1990: Perpignan - Rivesaltes (66) - altitude 42m" (in French). Infoclimat. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
- Coppens, Philip. "Salvador Dalí: painting the fourth dimension". Retrieved 18 June 2012.
- Pigaillem 2008, p. 109.
- "Far-right to win southern French town of Perpignan: Exit poll". Reuters. 28 June 2020.
- "France's Greens make gains, Macron loses ground in low-turnout local elections". France24.com. 28 June 2020.
- "L'Hôtel de Ville". Mairie Perpignan. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
- "Hanover – Twin Towns". Hanover.de (in German). Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 17 July 2009.
- "British towns twinned with French towns". Archant Community Media Ltd. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
- "Sarasota Sister Cities Association, Sarasota Florida". Sarasotasistercities.org. Archived from the original on 29 March 2012. Retrieved 15 September 2011.
- "Écoles". Marie de Perpignan. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
- "ECOLES À PERPIGNAN (66000)". Journaldesfemmes. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
- Des villages de Cassini aux communes d'aujourd'hui: Commune data sheet Perpignan, EHESS (in French).
- Population en historique depuis 1968, INSEE
- "Visa Pour l'Image". Anglophone-direct.com. 22 August 2017.
- "VilaWeb - Diari escola: Perpinyа, Capital de la Cultura Catalana 2008". Vilaweb.cat. 20 April 2016. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
- "Cathédrale St Jean-Baptiste" [Cathedral of St. John the Baptist]. Histoire du Roussillon. Retrieved 15 November 2011. (in French)
- Fabricio Cardenas (20 March 2014). "Vieux papiers des Pyrénées-Orientales: La prison du Castillet, 1892". Vieuxpapierspo.blogspot.fr. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
- Fiche Pédagogique - Hôtel Pams de Perpignan (PDF) (in French), Association Pédagogique de la Plaine, du Vallespir et de la Côte Vermeille, archived (PDF) from the original on 9 October 2022, retrieved 31 December 2015
- "Indoor markets bring new life to Perpignan | P-O Life". anglophone-direct. 19 December 2017. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
- "Salvador Dali: painting the fourth dimension". Philipcoppens.com. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
- Elliott King in Dawn Adès (ed.), Dalí, Bompiani Arte, Milan, 2004, p. 448.
- "Picture Gallery - Directory: /pix/fr/electric/emu/TGV/Duplex/misc". Railfaneurope.net. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
Bibliography
See also: Bibliography of the history of Perpignan- Pigaillem, Henri (2008). Anne de Bretagne epouse de Charles VIII et de Louis XII. Pygmalion.
- Alícia Marcet, Histoire de Perpignan, la fidelíssima (1995), Perpinyà : Llibres del Trabucaire, ISBN 9782905828613
External links
- Official website
- History of Perpignan (in French)
- Perpignan Tourist Office
- Museum guide
- Unofficial guide to Perpignan Airport Archived 23 June 2013 at the Wayback Machine
- Companie Transports – Public Bus System (in French)
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