Eating, Drinking & Sleeping

Eating and Drinking         There are a couple of small bars en route but most fans                do their pre-match eating and drinking in town.

Once at the stadium, there is a bar that does a brisk business with sandwiches for under £3. The food sells quickly, so if you missed lunch get to the joint early

It is on the concourse corner of the main stand.

Also underneath the main stand is the clubs own Bistro du Stade. On match days the menu starts at just over £14; at other times it is under £9.To reserve a table call: (33) 4 68512846.

The outlets inside the ground do not take euros, so change your money into tokens , or tincsets, on the machines dotted around the stadium before getting fed and watered.

Tourist office     For the tourist office, first head for Boulevard Wilson,    west of Place de las Resistance, and then for the park and the giant exhibition centre called Palais des Congres.

                Perpignan Office du Tourisme

                Palais des Congres

                (33) 4 68663030

                contact-office@little-france.com

                www.perpignantourisme.com

 Accomodation  At the top end of the market is La Villa Duflot, a four-star 25-room hotel . Prices for a twin or double start at   around £100.

                Tel (33) 4 68565405

Sports fans on a flying visit are probably better off near   the old town in the centre of Perpignan and the night scene. Expect to pay around the £60 mark for a double-room at the 3-star Hotel de France, which looks over the canal next to the striking red Castillet in the heart of the town.

There are a good number of central 2-star hotels which   seem good value at between £25-£30 for a twin-but be prepared for some tired looking rooms.

There is a limited number of chain hotels including the 100 IBIS (33) 4 68356262.

Going Out           Even outside of the summer months, Perpignan, with its palm trees and public spaces, lives up to its Mediterranean setting. It seems odd then to see the streets empty in the evening. In fact, everyone is indoors eating and drinking in the countless brassieres and tapas restaurants of the Old Town.

The best place to start is the pedestrianised street along the north bank of the canal, Quai Vauban, where    most outlets offer standard French food.

Also try the restaurants around Place Arago.

O'Shannon, an Irish pub, is on Rue de l'incendie, and Le Zinc, a cocktail bar, is on the neighbouring Rue Grande des fabriques.

A former rugby player has set up a bar on the Quai Vauban; Imbeznon is popular with home and visiting  rugby fans.

Updated October 2013

Copyright Miles & Miles Publishing 2013