16-19 June 2025
Perpignan, the capital of the Pyrénées-Orientales and a mere 15 miles from the Spanish border, has a fascinating history. The capital of the Kingdom of Majorca in the 13th and 14th centuries, the Catalan influence remains strong to this day. Join us to explore the history, religion, culture, and gastronomy of this beautiful French town.
The visit to Perpignan will follow our tried and tested approach for the summer retreat, of allowing people to book their own travel and accommodation, so you can tailor your travel and your stay to your own budget. We will come together each day for shared study and prayer, for visits, and there will be free time before we gather to eat together in the evenings.
We will visit the great Cathedral of St John the Baptist, and the famous 14th century ‘Devoted Christ’ crucifix which will provide a focus for our study.
During free time there will be the opportunity to explore the historic sites, museums, and galleries of Perpignan, including the Musée d’art Hyacinthe Rigaud, the Castilletwhich houses the Casa Pairal museum, and the Palais des Rois de Majorque – the medieval palace of the Kings of Majorca.
And if you fancy a trip to the coast, there are a number of beaches and seaside towns within a 20 minute taxi journey!
DATES AND DURATION
Our collective commitment will be to gather in time for early evening welcome drinks on Monday 16th June, and the retreat will end after lunch on Thursday 19th June. Retreatants should ensure they are with us for the whole programme: latecomers and early-leavers create a distraction for the rest of the group! You can, of course, extend your trip either before or after.
ACCOMMODATION
Participants will book and pay for their own accommodation which allows flexibility to suit different budgets and tastes! We will be based in the area around the Basilique-Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste, and so we recommend accommodation in that vicinity. A well-located midrange hotel is the 4* Hotel Mercure Perpignan Centre.
GETTING THERE
Flights are available from London to Perpignan airport (Ryanair from Stansted), or for a wider range of airline options you may fly to Montpellier or Barcelona, from which there are direct train services to Perpignan from the respective city centres.
COST
The registration fee is £150 per person to cover shared costs. The registration fee does not include the cost of travel and accommodation, nor the cost of shared meals which will be paid by a member of the team, and shared by way of mess bills upon our return to London.
HOW TO BOOK YOUR PLACE
Places are limited, and so we encourage you to register your interest and reserve your place as soon as possible, and by 15th March 2025 at the latest. Payment of the non-refundable registration fee will be required to secure your booking. To reserve a place, please email pa@spkb.org.
Questions?
If you have any questions or would like to find out more about whether this pilgrimage would suit you, the office team will be glad to fix a time for a short phone conversation with Rosie Richardson. Please email your request to pa@spkb.org.