- Perpignan is located in Southeastern France on the Mediterranean, near the Spanish Border, and is the Capital of the Catalan Region.
- Perpignan was a Medieval town, dating from 927 CE and formed part of Septimania which later became Languedoc.
The Via Domitia
- Passing close to Perpignan was the Via Domitia, the Roman Road between Spain and Italy.
- The Via Domitia divided into two roads at Salses (Ad Salsulae).
The Coastal route:
- Ruscino (4 miles or 6km east of Perpignan)
- Collioure
- Port Vendres (Portus Veneris)
- Banyuls
The Inland route:
- ‘Summus Pyrenaeus’
- Col de Perthus (Perthus Pass)
- This was the meeting point of the Via Domitia with the Via Augusta.
- It was a Frontier Post with Roman Forts for its defence and the collection of Customs Duties.
- Trophy of Pompey
- This is located here to celebrate the victory in 71 BCE the Republican Armies of Quintus Sertorius in Hispania. The later Trophy of Augustus at La Turbie, Nice, was influenced by its design.
Perpignan