Perpignan.

Perpignan is the capital of French Catalonia, a city where red-tiled roofs, palm-lined boulevards, and the Catalan language shape daily life alongside French. The Palace of the Kings of Majorca stands on a hill above the old town, overlooking the city. Narrow streets in the historic center open onto squares shaded by plane trees, where cafés and small wine bars stay busy into the evening.

The surrounding Roussillon region grows grapes for robust reds and sweet, fortified wines, and vineyard estates spread across the hills around the city. Les Halles market fills each morning with Catalan cheeses and charcuterie, set alongside produce grown on the nearby plain. Perpignan's character draws from both sides of the border: Catalan flags appear on balconies, and local festivals reflect Catalan traditions. Beyond the city, the Albères hills rise toward Spain, and the coast at Collioure lies within easy reach.