Perpignan – or at least the waiting room at its station – was declared by Salvador Dali to be the centre of the Universe

It may not be the centre of yours, but this friendly and chic South-eastern French town is handy not only for the beaches of the eastern Mediterranean, but for the Pyrenees and Spain beyond.

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Must see:
A trip to the high citadel will reveal the 13th Century palace of the kings of Majorca, a gothic style fortress with more than just a hint of Moorish architecture, dating back to the time when Perpignan was the on-shore capital of the off-shore Kingdom of Mallorca.

Must eat at:
Le Chapon Fin, attached to the Park Hotel, is the place to eat in town. Having received its first Michelin star, it’s a highly civilised place for diner a deux.

Must be there for:
If you’re in town over 23/24 June, you should try to make it to the Festa Major (it’ll be difficult to miss), a pagan ritual embraced in the Christian era and still very much alive today. Expect night-time horse riding, traditional dancing and the ubiquitous fireworks.

Well-travelled tips:
- With the expected opening of the new TGV line to Barcelona, you’ll soon be just an hour from Barcelona. If you’re here (or there) for any length of time, a day trip will definitely be worth it.
- You’re close enough to the Pyrenees to visit Andorra, too. Seek out the tiny municipality and buy the stamps – just to say you’ve been.

Visa:
British citizens do not need a visa to visit France.