PERPIGNAN, a t. of France, and a fortress of the first rank, capital of the depart ment of Pyrenees-Orientales, on the right bank of the river Tet, 5 m. front tire Mediter ranean, and 40 m. by railway s. of Narbonne. It commands the passage by the eastern Pyrenees from Spain into France, and is defended on the s. by a citadel and by ramparts flanked with bastions, and protected by raised works. The works underwent a thorough repair in 1823, and Perpignan, now ranks as one of the first strongholds in France. Its appearance is exceedingly picturesque. From a distance, its houses are seen in the midst of a forest of orchards; and a closer examination shows a collection of narrow streets. covered with awnings; houses of semi-Moresque construction, with wooden balconies and courts, and other evidences of Spanish influence. The cathedral, a massive build ing. begun in 1324; the belfry of St.. Jacques and the Castiller (now used as a military
prison), with its battlement and machicolations, give character to the town. Perpignan contains barracks for 5,000 men, a council-house, palace of justice, mint, a college, numer ous schools, museums, and scientific societies. Good vin ordinaire (red) is grown in the vicinity; woolen clothes, playing-cards, leather, etc.. are manufactured, and there is a good trade in wine, brandy, wool, cork-bark, and silk. Pop. '72, 20,011.
Perpignan, as capital of the former county of Roussillon, remained long in the hands of the kings of Aragon, and in 1349 king Pedro founded a university here. In 1642 it was taken byLouis XIII.; and since that time the town itself, together with the county of Roussillon, has remained in the possession of the French.