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Europe 2016 Perpignan and Collioure
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Perpignan is a pleasant city with a river running throught the middle of the new town. It also has an extensive Old Quarter which features a medieval fortress. It is also a good base for day trips into the Pyrennese, and to towns like Narbonne and Collioure.
This is the moat of the Palace of the Kings of Majorca. The Palace is in the Old Quarter, just South of the city centre.
King James II of Majorca made Perpignan the capital of his Kingdom in 1276. This palace was completed in 1309.
This is the Castillet, a small fortress built in the 14th Century. It was part of the old CIty Walls.
This staircase ascends the hill upon which the Palace of the Kings of Majorca was built. Next to the staircase is a part of the old City Walls.
The Cathedral of St John the Baptist was begun in 1324 and finished in 1509. It is within the Old Quarter of Perpignan.
The Cathedral has just one Nave, with a number of side Chapels.
The Avenue General de Gaulle runs from the railway station right into the city centre. Perpignan has a compact centre and it was easy to walk from the station to my hotel.
This river, called La Bassa, runs through the CIty Centre. It joins a much larger river, called La Tet, which in turn flows into the Mediterranean, to the East of Perpignan.
I did a day trip from Perpignan to Collioure by bus. The journey was pleasant as we passed several points of interest.
Collioure attracted a number of artists in the 20th Century. They included George Braque, Andre Derain, Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso.

The movement of Fauvism is said to have been born here.

The fort known as Chateau Royal is still used by the French Military. It is a training centre for French Commandos.
Looking South from Collioure, Fort Saint-Elme can be seen at the top of the hill.
A close up of Fort Saint-Elme.
These cliff-clinging houses face the Mediterranean.
Collioure boasts a number of medieval streets. This decorated balcony caught my eye.
There are several artisan shops in Collioure.
Chateau Royal is on the left in this photo On the right is the Church of Notre Dame des Anges.

IIt is easy to understand why those 20th Century painters were inspired by Collioure.