Long known as the Château de Perpignan, the Palace of the Kings of Majorca is situated in the heart of the city.
A bit of history…
It was during the reign of James II, King of Majorca, that the Count of Roussillon and Cerdagne and Lord of Montpellier had the castle built in 1274, having decided that Perpignan would be the mainland capital of the Kingdom of Majorca.
For nearly a century (1276–1344), this superb medieval palace served as the centre of the short-lived Kingdom of Majorca.
The Gothic-style palace, with its central courtyard, arcades, chapels and beautiful rooms adorned with magnificent tapestries, hosted banquets, royal councils and parliaments. From the 16th century onwards, the palace was surrounded by walls built by French and Spanish engineers to transform it into a citadel. Since 1958, the palace has been owned by the Department, which ensures its conservation and promotion and organises festive and cultural events there, the most recent of which was ‘la Festa de Majorque’.
The Palace…
Standing at the foot of the monument, what strikes you most is the palace’s magnificent architecture. Originally built for the King of Majorca, it was subsequently fortified by Louis XI, Charles V and Vauban. Once through the citadel gates, you’ll discover the grand medieval castle, with its central courtyard, well, arcades, staircases and imposing stone walls…
Inside the royal palace, the King’s Dining Room, the grand banquet hall, the King’s and Queen’s bedrooms, the Chapel of the Holy Cross, the royal apartments and the Queen’s galleries… all await you as you explore. You’ll round off your visit by climbing to the top of the keep for a breathtaking view of the Roussillon plain, the Pyrenees and the Pic du Canigou.
Palace of the Kings of Majorca
Rue des Archers
66000 Perpignan
Tel. 04 68 34 96 26
Guides: 04 68 34 64 93
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
