Activities & Tours in Perpignan
Le Petit Train de Perpignan
Ok, it’s touristy and cheesy and one often rolls one eyes when we see the train rolling by packed with gawping tourists, but don’t judge a book by its cover…It’s great fun and you get see a lot of Perpignan that you might have missed such as the Quartier Saint-Jacques or the modern Centre del Món.
In short, it’s a great introduction to the town and ideal if it’s a hot day or you have mobility issues. The train departs from the Castillet and trundles through the historic centre and beyond in about 50 minutes, covering over 7km circuit with commentary in multiple languages.
Tickets are €8 for adults and €4 for kids. The Petit Train runs daily from April to October (with departures every 30 minutes in peak season).
Perpignan Historic Walking Tour
Perpignan’s rich Catalan heritage comes alive on a guided walking tour of the city. The Tourist Office in Place de la Loge organises regular guided walks including an English-language tour in summer that covers the major historical sights.
Led by a certified local guide, these tours typically last about 1.5 to 2 hours and take you through the atmospheric old town – a journey from medieval times to the modern era. They are usually inexpensive (around €10 per adult, often free for children) and run at set times – it’s worth popping into the tourist office or checking their website to see the schedule and book your spot.
E-Bike & Cycling Tours
Pyrénées Roussillon Aventures runs e-MTB tours from Baixas (a village 15 minutes from Perpignan) that last 1.5 to 3 hours. Groups up to 12 follow local guides on scenic routes through vineyard backroads or up into the foothills with all equipment (e-bike, helmet, gloves) provided.
One popular option is a sunset bike tour to the Força Réal peak (507 m): after an easy climb with electric assist, you’ll enjoy a 360° panorama of the Roussillon plains and the distant Pyrenees at golden hour. These guided rides typically cost around €45–€55 per person for a 2–3 hour experience, often including a friendly aperitif or picnic break overlooking the view.
Vineyard Visits & Wine Tastings
The Roussillon region around Perpignan is famed for its wines – from robust Côtes du Roussillon reds to sweet Muscat and Banyuls – and one of the most enjoyable activities is a wine tasting tour.
Maison Cazes in Rivesaltes, 15 km north of Perpignan, is one of the largest and best-known estates. They offer guided tours of their cellar, an introduction to their biodynamic winemaking, and a tasting of several wines for around €9 per person.
For a more intimate experience, head south to Domaine Treloar in Trouillas, 20 minutes from Perpignan, a boutique winery founded by an Anglo-Kiwi couple who produce critically acclaimed wines.
They offer a 1.5-hour guided winery tour with barrel room presentation and a tutored tasting of their range for €15 per person or €25 per person for a wine, cheese and charcuterie session. It’s a much more personal introduction to wine, learning about terroir and grape varieties, followed by a tasting of at least five estate wines.
Caves Byrrh – Historic Winery Tour in Thuir
Caves Byrrh in the town of Thuir, about 25 km southwest of Perpignan, is not a wine but a fortified aperitif made from red wine and botanicals that was hugely popular in the early 20th century and the home of the world’s largest oak barrel with a capacity of one million litres!
The Byrrh cellars in Thuir form a vast winery complex over a century old, and they offer an impressive guided tour that mixes industrial heritage with a tasting. On arrival, you can’t miss the building: a handsome red-brick facade emblazoned with “Byrrh”.
As you wander the dim halls, modern multimedia displays narrate the story of the Violet brothers who founded Byrrh in 1866 and how this aperitif became a Belle Époque sensation with Vintage poster art from the early 1900s exhibited and the grand finale being a tasting of Byrrh itself
Entrance is between 6 and 9 euros and it’s open year-round, though hours vary by season (generally closed on Sundays off-season).
Canyoning & Mountain Adventures
The foothills of the Pyrénées offer thrilling canyoning adventures within a short drive of Perpignan. Professional guides lead canyoning excursions where you scramble, slide, swim and abseil through natural gorges – essentially following a river’s course down waterfalls and pools.
One of the most famous spots is the Llech Canyon, near Prades (about 30 minutes west of Perpignan). This canyon is renowned as an aquatic thrill ride, with a series of jumps and chutes in crystal-clear mountain water.
Another excellent canyon is Les Anelles, located by Céret to the south. A 3-hour guided trip through the Gorges des Anelles lets you jump into deep rock pools (up to 8 m high, optional!), slide down natural waterslides, and rappel down waterfalls as tall as 30 m.
All the technical gear – neoprene wetsuit, helmet, harness and ropes – is provided and no prior experience is needed besides basic swimming ability. Canyoning guides are fully certified, ensuring safety as well as fun.
Expect to pay roughly €50–€60 per person for a half-day adventure, which usually includes about 2 hours in the canyon (plus approach and return hikes). Excursions run from around April to October when water levels are optimal. If you prefer to stay dry but still crave altitude, consider a via ferrata (cliffside climbing route).
Paragliding Tandem Flights
For a birds-eye view, try a tandem paragliding flight with an expert instructor. Local paragliding schools like Parapente 66 offer beginner-friendly tandem experiences that launch from nearby hills in the Pyrenees-Orientales.
After a safety briefing, you are securely attached to the pilot and run a few steps before the wing lifts you into the sky. Flight durations vary from about 10 minutes (a “Discovery” flight) up to 20–30 minutes (“Thermal” flights) where you ride the warm air currents.
Popular flying sites include the hills above Céret, or even areas overlooking historic landmarks like the Cathar castle of Peyrepertuse. Prices range roughly from €70–€120 depending on flight length. Paragliding operates year-round when weather permits, with autumn and spring offering ideal flying conditions (warm thermals and clear skies).
Horseback Riding Treks
Horse lovers will find plenty of opportunities to go riding through the Roussillon countryside with a local guide. Several stables and equestrian centres around Perpignan cater to visitors, offering everything from one-hour scenic rides to full-day or even multi-day treks.
For example, Equitêt Rando in Corneilla-la-Rivière (20 minutes west of Perpignan) is a family-run horse tourism centre that organizes rides along the Têt River and into the rolling foothills. Groups are kept small and can be tailored to your experience level including beginners. Another option is Le Cheval Andalou, near St-Cyprien, which runs beach-and-mountain rides.
Standard rides typically last 1–2 hours and cost around €20–€30 per person, whereas half-day treks with picnic can be about €50. Helmets are provided and the guides (often English-speaking) ensure everyone is comfortable.
Treetop Adventure Parks & Zip-Lining
If you’re looking for active family fun, head to the Les Aventuriers de Saint-Jean adventure park at Saint-Jean-Pla-de-Corts (about a 25-minute drive from Perpignan, near Le Boulou).
This outdoor park features an extensive tree-top ropes course (accrobranche) set in a lovely lakeside forest. There are 11 different aerial courses of varying difficulty, some suitable for children as young as 3 years old, and others challenging even for athletic adults.
You’ll navigate between trees on suspended bridges, scramble up rope ladders, and zoom down zip-lines – all while securely clipped to safety cables. A highlight at St-Jean is the “Tyrolienne Splash” zip-line, which is 170 m long and stretches across the lake, skimming just above the water on the way to the landing platform.
All safety equipment (harness, helmet) is included in the entry fee, which is roughly €20–€25 for adults for a full session (children are cheaper).
Scenic Helicopter Flights
Hélittoral Hélicoptères, based at Perpignan–Rivesaltes Airport, offers various flight packages that showcase the beauty of northern Catalonia from the air.
Even if you’ve never been in a helicopter, these tours are very accessible – you simply buckle into the helicopter and let a skilled pilot whisk you into the sky.
Short discovery flights (around 15 minutes) give a taste of the thrill: one popular route is the “Balcon du Canigou”, a loop towards Mount Canigou and back, or a quick hop over the coast around Le Barcarès – both options cost about €130 per person.
Longer flights (30 minutes) allow you to see more. For instance, the “Châteaux Cathares” tour flies you over the Pyrenean foothills to admire medieval hilltop fortresses like Quéribus and Peyrepertuse from above, while a “Côte Vermeille” flight traces the rugged coastline and vineyards between Perpignan and the Spanish border.
Go-Karting at the Roussillon Circuit
For some high-speed fun, check out the Grand Circuit du Roussillon go-karting centre in Rivesaltes about 15 minutes north of Perpignan. This is no ordinary kart track – it’s actually a huge complex with three separate circuits, including one that’s over a kilometer long, making it one of the largest karting facilities in Europe.
There’s a track and kart suitable for everyone: a baby-kart track for ages 3–7, slower 100cc karts for kids and teens, and high-powered 270cc and 390cc karts for adults that can reach serious speeds on the big circuit.
Pricing is around €15–€20 per session for adult karts and they provide helmets and hygiene liners. A safety briefing is given in English or French before you start and the marshals ensure everyone has fun in complete safety.
The circuits are equipped with electronic timing, so you can print out your lap times and see who’s the fastest! The feeling of racing these karts, navigating hairpin turns and flying down the straight, is a thrill for both kids and grown-ups.
Paintball & Laser Games
The go-to place is Paintball Factory in Torreilles, 15 minutes from Perpignan, with an outdoor paintball spanning a 15,000 m² field with multiple themed game zones filled with stacks of old tires, wooden forts, even an abandoned plane fuselage on one field!
They provide all the gear: a face mask, protective vest and of course the paintball gun, and you get a safety briefing. It’s open year-round on a reservation basis and typically costs around €30 per person for a standard package with equipment and ammo included.
For Laser Tag, Paintball Factory actually has a Laser Game next door and another venue in Perpignan offers indoor laser tag arenas with UV lights and sci-fi props.
Then, SENSAS Perpignan is a cross sensory challenge course where teams complete missions in the dark. Imagine a cross between an escape room and the Crystal Maze and it’s surprisingly fun whether you’re splattering your friends with paint or outwitting them with laser beams, these activities bring out everyone’s competitive side in a safe, controlled environment. Just make sure you wear old clothes for paintball (the paint washes out, but still) and closed shoes.
Escape Rooms
Escape Dimension in Perpignan offers scenarios such as “La Croisée des Mondes” – inspired by fantasy worlds.
Likewise, Escapix, located near Les Halles Vauban, offers adventure and thriller storylines and the rooms are often decorated with impressive detail to fully immerse you.
Everything is designed to test your logic, teamwork and observation skills. Don’t worry if you’re new to it – the game masters will brief you and can provide hints through a screen or walkie-talkie if you get stuck.
Reservations are required; most escape games cost around €20–€30 per person depending on group size. They are usually available in English if you request, since many tourists come to play (the staff might give hints in English and ensure any text clues have translations).
Ceramics Workshop at Sant Vicens
Tucked away in the Saint‑Gaudérique quarter, Sant Vicens is a working ceramic atelier founded in 1942 and still run by the Bauby family. Famous artists including Picasso, Jean Lurçat and Marc Saint‑Saëns have visited the studio over the decades.
Sant Vicens runs afternoon sessions where visitors paint their own ceramic tiles or objects under the guidance of master céramistes. You then collect your fired pieces later. Reservation required.
Théâtre de l’Archipel (Scène Nationale)
Not strictly an activity, but I would this theatre as there’s always so many events going on there including opera, dance, contemporary theatre, music and cinema.
