Perpignan | 18th August 2019 | 3 Nights

Perpignan
Canet en Roussillon
Collioure
Narbonne
Carcassonne

What to do in 3 nights in Perpignan there is so much to do and discover I decided on the Saturday to book a three night break the next day the flights were reasonable and I stayed in the Best Western Plus Hotel Windsor.   It is a great option if you want to try and take in as much as possible as your going to see what I got up to in just 3 nights.

On arriving the airport is only 10 mins drive from and cost approx. €24 in a taxi, there is the no 6 which is just outside the airport and costs about €2.  I arrived on a Sunday and the weather was glorious the sun was shining but the streets were completely empty I mean there wasn’t a sinner around.  All the shops seem to close on a Sunday so bear that in mind when going for a weekend but don’t let that put you off after I rambled around the city for about 2 hours I headed of. It is very pretty city and the far side of the little river that splits Perpignan is where you will find the high street shops  while on the side where my hotel was located was full of little cobble streets that opened into squares where I found a little café that was open and ordered a coffee.
After the coffee I decided to head for the beach of Canet en Roussillon the bus stop was across the road from the hotel and it takes about 30 mins with the stops and costs about €2 if you drove yourself it would take half that time.  When I arrive and strolled down towards the beach I couldn’t believe how different it was from where I had just come from the place was buzzing like a proper beach resort it remined me of the costa del sol in Spain.  There were lots of fast food restaurants and lots of shops selling everything you would need for a day out at the beach.  The beach was fabulous and stretched on for miles in the centre there was a large area where the was a large ferris wheel where lot of people congregated both locals and tourists.

There are no deck chairs set up on the beach so better to bring your towel and lilo with you. Walking along the beach I went into one of the little beach bars there are many of these dotted along, I went into La Cala which was really cool and very chilled and ordered a gin and tonic and just looked out to the sea.

I arrived back into Perpignan late to see the city lit up it was beautiful and still as quiet and when I left it earlier that morning.

Day 2

Off to explore Collioure I heard fabulous things about this place from Tom Sweeney so I wanted to go and discover it myself.  I walked to the train station which was about 30 mins from the hotel the trains to Collioure are very frequent and cost about €12.60 return, it would be a sin to visit Perpignan and not visit Collioure it’s a hidden gem.

When you get of the train it takes about 5 mins to stroll into the centre where  you will find the little streets full of artisan shops the place was thronged with people when I arrived and I could see why.  As I walked through the packed streets I came our through an arch onto the promenade where you get the first glimpse of the bell tower which was once a light house.  It is breath-taking there are lots of people soaking up the sun on the beach while other are strolling around discovering all the little alleyways full of quirky little shops.  I decided to just stop and absorb the place at a little restaurant petit café down by the beach.  There are two beaches the one further around from the old town is less crowded and there is a lovely selection of restaurants to choose from and some lovely bars with break taking views of the sea.  You could easily spend the whole day here exploring all it has to offer or do like I did and just sit yourself down and immerse yourself in the atmosphere and enjoy my favourite pastime of people watching.

Day 3

Next stop Narbonne I wanted to visit Carcassonne while in the area but the only way of getting there was to go via Narbonne.  I decided that if the train is stopping there why not get out and discover it for 2 hours.  It took about an hour on the train to get there from Perpignan the ticket was €15 approx.

The imposing Gothic Cathedrale can be seen as you walk down the main street it dominates the skyline. The scent of expensive perfume in the air gives you the feeling that you an in a very elegant town.  The designer clothes shops and beautiful resturants line the streets where if you have to ask the price you cant afford to shop there.  As you walk up the canal there is a fablous building which houses a local market it is lovely  to stoll through as it’s a feast for the sences.  I honestly didn’t want to leave the place and 2 hours is not enough time to really explore all it has to offer.

The last stop is Carcassonne I remember flicking though brochures and see the spectacular castle perched up on to of this hill I always wanted to visit.  So 30 mins on the train cost €11.80 and I was there. When I did arrive the weather wasn’t in my favour it was spilling down so I bough an umbrella and headed through the city.  It’s a beautiful city with lots of shopping opportunities but I was really there to see the castle.  It’s a bit of a trek up the hill or maybe it just felt longer because it was such a miserable day. I was starving at this stage and just hoping there was somewhere nice to have a bite to eat once inside the walls of the castle. Its like stepping back in time it was amazing the little streets crammed with people and all the higgled piggily buildings that stood the test of time and god knows how many treats the the imposing walls that done a great job of protecting it.  If there was ever a place where you wanted to feel like a princess, I would be checking into the 5* Hotel del la Cite it’s so romantic like a Fairytale.