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This was built from 1276 on the hill of Puig del Rei, as the powerbase for King James II of Majorca. It needed to be defensive as well as plush, so it was continually reinforced, the last by Louis XIV's military engineer Vauban. The palace is ranged around three courtyards with lush gardens and surrounded by ramparts and eight fortified towers. Enter through the tour de l'hommage, a marble and sandstone gate. The main building has elegant arcades and two side stairs, and contains the royal apartments and two chapels; Sainte-Marie-Madeleine for the queen and Sainte-Croix for the king. There's also the throne room which is monumental. An interesting detail is a frieze with the word "Allah" in Arabic: covering their backs with the Muslim Moors. You can climb the principal tower for a view of the city and the Pyrenees.
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The royal parish church was built on the site of a former convent and consecrated in 1323. During the Revolution it was a munitions factory, but in 1804 became a church again. It retains its Gothic structure, although the façade was renovated in the 19th century. Highlights within are the 14th century baptismal font and a 15th century painting of a tomb.
L'Arsenal
Cultural centre focusing on music of many genres with performances and courses.
Rotating exhibitions of contemporary art. Benjamin (1892-1940) was a German Jewish philosopher and art critic. He escaped occupied France to Port Bou, but the Spanish intended to deport him back to France, and he took an overdose rather than be handed over to the Nazis.
Charming mansion built 1896-1902 with money from a cigarette paper business. It's now a small art museum.
Theatre.
This displays French and Spanish painters from the 15th to the 20th centuries, including those of Hyacinthe Rigaud (1659-1743). He was born in Perpignan and became a royal portraitist at the courts of Louis XIV and Louis XV. His detailed images capture the fashions of those days.