10am
Our family day begins at the media library.
The first thing that strikes you as you push open the doors is how bright the place is! It feels like we're in an outdoor space, which is further enhanced by the grassy cobblestone pattern of the carpet in the hall.
Thanks to this warm atmosphere, we particularly like to take the time to lie down on the floor cushions and enjoy the small terrace to read our favourite books, as there is a wide selection of books for all tastes and ages.
11am
We continue a little further up the street to the Natural History Museum. The 350 m² permanent exhibition features rare and extinct animals from the Pyrénées-Orientales region, as well as a number of collections ranging from minerals to animals (naturalised or skeletal), shells and fossils.
There's also an Egyptian mummy from the 23rd dynasty in its sarcophagus, donated in 1847! This museum is very pleasant to visit with young children, as it is reasonably sized and adapted for a young audience.
12.30pm
It's lunchtime, and our favourite spot for a picnic is the Square Bir-Hakeim. This 3-hectare park is considered the green lung of the city centre.
If you haven't packed your lunch, you can stop off at the kiosks on the Allées Maillol.
There's something for everyone: street food, seafood and delicacies.
We then spent an hour at the children's play structure and relaxed on one of the benches, picking up a book from the nearby reading box. Its ‘English phone box’ shape and flamboyant red colour make it a real eye-catcher!
2.30pm
We walk along the Quai Vauban, a beautiful pedestrian street that offers a stroll along the Canal de la Basse and a superb view of the Castillet, ‘the emblem of our town’.
Then it's on to the other pedestrianised streets in the town centre, such as rue de l'Ange, rue Voltaire, rue Mailly, rue Louis Blanc and many others...
Our favourite family shops? Flying Tiger, la Drôlerie, Sortilèges and Bédé en bulles.
4pm
We head for the Place République for a snack. We like to sit in one of the cafés on this colourful plaza for a hot or cold drink, depending on the season.
When we're in the mood for something sweet, we go for one of the pastries in Olivier Bajard's ‘Meilleur Ouvrier/Patissier de France’ shop window. The day comes to an end, and it's time to head home.
With “Perpignan Experiences”, the experience has only just begun with your family. Rent bikes, discover our tours, treasure hunts, etc. in our destination.
