Situated on the French-Spanish border at the foot of the Pyrenees, Perpignan's architecture bears the hallmarks of its Mediterranean influence. Across the city, the buildings transcend the ages, with the 13th-century Perpignan Cathedral, the Palace of the Kings of Majorca, the gargoyled Catalan gothic mansion and the Castillet – a Moroccan-style fortress – being some of its best. Modern architecture can be found at the Theatre Archipelago, the Hotel De Ville or the Museum of Coins and Medals, home to a collection of over 45,000 coins.
Perpignan's Mediterranean climate means the restaurants and wineries of the Loge de Mar are suited to al fresco dining, while sunbathing is an option on the beaches of Languedoc. Like other French cities, Perpignan specialises in food, serving seafood paella dishes with a Catalonian twist, as well as speciality snails at the Place de la République. Outside the city, you'll find the historical town of Castelnou and the Orgues d'Ille-sur-Têt rock formation – two landmarks that will take you back in time.
Perpignan's location at the foot of the Pyrenees makes it a suitable launch point for skiing. Within a couple of hours of the city's airport, there are up to 20 ski resorts, located in Spain, France and Andorra, with the most popular being Ax les Thermes, Cambre d'Aze, Font Romeu, Grandvalira and Les Angles. Transfers are available from the airport or the city centre, offering visitors the chance to enjoy a mix of both city and alpine life.