| The city of Perpignan is located in the | | | | famous French bell foundry belonging to Amadee |
| southernmost part of the Languedoc in the south | | | | Bollee and Sons from Mans. Before being installed |
| of France. It is a perfect destination for lovers of | | | | in the church at Perpignan, it was exhibited at the |
| the sea, mountains, nature, history and art. It also | | | | Universal Exhibition in Paris in the year 1878. |
| possesses mile after mile of wide sandy beaches | | | | The carillon is owned by the town and in 1996 it |
| extending from the Spanish border all the length | | | | was fully restored to its original glory by the |
| of the Vermillion coast. It is a not-to-be-missed | | | | French carillon experts, Herepian. Since being |
| cultural center for anyone visiting south-west | | | | restored, carillon players have been employed, |
| France or northern Spain. | | | | and nominated by decree of the church, to |
| The city of Perpignan is located in the | | | | demonstrate the instrument at its best. And since |
| Languedoc-Roussillon region of France. Situated on | | | | it was electrified in 1956, every day in the |
| the Mediterranean coast, as a hinterland it has the | | | | morning, mid-day and evening, a player will sit at |
| Pyrenees mountains and the Corbieres | | | | the keyboard and play the Angelus prayer. |
| wine-growing region. It is the southernmost city in | | | | There are four museums in Perpignan, all |
| France. | | | | possessing outstanding collections. Firstly there is |
| Perpignan also has a unique and most interesting | | | | the Museum of Catalan Art and Traditions. Then |
| history, and is equally well-known for its | | | | there are the renowned Museum of Coins and |
| architecture as for the modern-day tourist | | | | Medals and the Natural history Museum. Then |
| industry. It is also very well-known for its | | | | there is the glorious Hyacinthe Rigaud Museum of |
| world-famous rail station, the ceiling of which was | | | | Painting. |
| painted by the Spanish surrealist artist Salvador | | | | In a city the size of Perpignan it often surprises |
| Dali, who called the station the "cosmological | | | | the visitor just how much land is given over to |
| center of the universe". | | | | grass and parkland. In fact the city is home to a |
| The ancient area around Perpignan, originally | | | | huge quantity of nesting birds of many species |
| known as Ruscino, which gave its name to the | | | | thanks to all this greenery. The central city itself |
| entire region, was occupied from the sixth | | | | indeed embraces a good 130 hectares of |
| century BC, and was a major trading partner with | | | | parkland, whilst the outlying areas contain over |
| Greece, until falling under Celtic domination in the | | | | 2000 hectares of cultivated land passed through |
| second century BC. In the eleventh century AD, | | | | by a river. The result is a veritable natural |
| the city belonged to the counts of Roussillon who | | | | sanctuary for a variety of wildlife and bird species. |
| made it there home, until in 1172 and the death of | | | | Moving on to the culinary arts, naturally enough |
| the last count who bequeathed it to the king of | | | | the native cuisine of Perpignan is of Catalan origin |
| Aragon. However in 1262 it again changed hands | | | | - a gastronomic experience not to be missed if |
| and was willed to the kingdom of Majorca. | | | | you are new to these parts. |
| Perpignan is also well-known for being the owner | | | | So, there you are, the city of Perpignan in all its |
| of one of the most amazing and unusual carillons. | | | | glory. All that remains is to wish you a happy |
| It is the last surviving operational carillon that | | | | vacation and many happy encounters with the |
| possesses a range of four full octaves. It dates | | | | magnificent city of Perpignan. |
| from the 19th century, being constructed in the | | | | |