La Sanch
Every year, people come from far and wide to attend this event, with an average attendance of 15,000. Every Good Friday, the "Confrérie de la Sanch" commemorates the Passion of Christ through its procession.
The procession follows a set route through the streets of the historic centre. Dressed in large black robes, the ‘caparutxos’, to atone for their sins, march past to the sound of the iron bell of the red-clad penitent at the head of the procession, called the Regidor.
This is a cultural and intangible heritage not to be missed.
La Sant Jordi
The tradition of Sant Jordi is a Catalan celebration that takes place every year on April 23rd.
According to legend, in Montblanc in Catalonia, Sant Jordi saved the princess by killing the dragon. A rosebush grew from the dragon's blood.
Since then, the tradition has been for men to give roses to women, who give them a book in return.
La Saint Jean
The tradition of Saint-Jean in Perpignan is deeply rooted in Catalan culture, celebrating the summer solstice with singular fervour.
Lit in 1964 at the Castillet using a magnifying glass that ignited the bonfire on the Canigó mountain at midnight on June 22nd, the flame of Saint-Jean has been kept at the Castillet ever since, where it burns brightly throughout the year.
The Sunday before, a delegation sets off for the summit of the Canigó. From the top of the sacred Catalan mountain, a bundle of wood is placed around the Canigó cross and the flame is regenerated. Each bearer of the flame brings back the spark that will herald summer.
In this way, the descent gives rise to the convivial festival we all know and love.
"Maillol-Picasso, defying the classical ideal" exhibition
Picasso looked at Maillol, while Maillol was fascinated by Picasso's cubist period.
Plunge into the heart of a journey where the works of Aristide Maillol (1861-1944) and Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) engage in a dialogue, reconnecting with the local roots that energised their creativity.
120 works - paintings, sculptures and engravings - are brought together to reveal the secrets of an unprecedented encounter that reveals Maillol's modernity and the subtlety of their mutual influences.
"Les Rayonnantes" and "Les mardis de Perlimpinpin"
Every Tuesday and Thursday evening throughout the summer, you'll find entertainment for children and breathtaking shows in the Square Bir Hakeim, Place de Verdun, Place République and Place Gambetta!
The ‘Mardis de Perlimpinpin’ (Perlimpinpin Tuesdays) are a family event to be enjoyed in the Square Bir Hakeim, and to round off each evening, come along to Place Verdun, Place République and Place Gambetta to watch the new sound and light show.
The "Visa pour l'image" Festival
Every year for the past 37 years, the whole world comes to Perpignan.
Visa pour l'image is the biggest photojournalism festival in the world.
Each new edition attracts thousands of visitors to the heart of Perpignan. This large number of visitors makes Visa pour l'Image a unique event that is particularly close to our hearts.
Completely free of charge, the festival allows us to show a different reality to the one portrayed by the media. It presents powerful, unfiltered images that inform and provoke thought.
The festival features a wide range of exhibitions in well-known Perpignan locations as well as more unusual ones. There are more than 20 photographic exhibitions in the Couvent des Minimes, the Dominican Church, the Hôtel Pams and many more...
The Saint-Martin Fair
A growing success, the fair has been held from the end of October to the end of November every year, a full four weeks during which this popular event is in full swing, bringing autumn to life in the run-up to the festive season. The fair is spread over 4.5 hectares and hosts no fewer than 150 fairground stalls.
Rides for the little ones, thrill rides, but also must-sees such as the ghost train, the big wheel, shooting galleries, duck fishing... A rich offer of multiple attractions that will allow you to spend a convivial moment with family or friends.
Les Trobades Médiévales
Perpignan invites you to travel back in time every October for its Medieval Trobades.
A host of events are staged in the historic city centre to take you back to the Middle Ages, with epic battles, feasting and jousting between knights, as well as crafts and gourmet delights on offer at the medieval market.
It's a spectacular, exciting and friendly event to share with the whole family.
The Christmas festivities
The Christmas festivities kick off with the activation of the illuminations above La Basse, sparkling across the city from the Pont de Pierre. The best places to admire the lights include the Quai Vauban, the Pont Magenta, the Place de la République, the Place Verdun, the Allées Maillol and the Place de Catalogne.
The grand parade, starting at boulevard Wilson, features enchanted Christmas floats and dancers, marching up to place Arago and through the streets of the historic centre.
Every year, Perpignan's Christmas markets are a great way to get together and enjoy the festive season. The crafts market remains faithful to the Quai Vauban, and the gourmet chalets in Place Arago, Gambetta, Péri, Rigaud and République. Whether you're looking for unique gifts to put under the tree or simply to treat yourself, the choice is varied.
And there's no shortage of delicious and varied food and drink on offer.
