Musée catalan des arts et traditions populaires
Society museum housed in the Castillet, one of the gates of the city of Perpignan, on the history, ethnography and traditions of northern Catalonia.
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About the museum
La Casa Pairal is a society museum, also called the Museum of Catalan Popular Arts and Traditions. It opened in July 1963; its first museography was designed by Georges Henri Rivière on the model of the Musée national des arts et traditions populaires. It has held the “Musée de France” label since 2002. Its museography was revised in 2014, while keeping a reminder of the original museum in the form of the kitchen of the Mas Gleix.
It occupies the Castillet, a former city gate that also served as a military garrison, a state prison and the seat of learned societies. The brick building has been listed as a historic monument since 1889 and remains one of Perpignan's landmarks. From its summit there is a 360° view over the city and the Roussillon plain.
The collections, built up since the early 20th century, comprise more than 25,000 objects on everyday life in the past. The second floor houses the permanent exhibition “Histoire de Perpignan”, the third floor hosts the temporary exhibitions, and the fourth floor has a space devoted to multimedia and visitor engagement.
Highlights
- “Histoire de Perpignan” exhibition
- Kitchen of a mas from the Aspres
- More than 25,000 ethnographic objects
- 360° view from the top of the Castillet
- Castillet, historic monument since 1889
Permanent exhibitions
- Histoire de Perpignan – Exhibition in three rooms, in French and Catalan, from prehistoric fossils to 20th-century works, with pieces from the city's museums.
- Collections ethnographiques – Everyday objects around the kitchen of a traditional mas in the Aspres.
- Founded
- 1963
- Operated by
- Ville de Perpignan
- Visitors per year
- approx. 35,640
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €2 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €1Holders of the Pass Patrimoine 66 |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 25 · Free admission for under-26s, upon proof. |
Free admission: First Sunday of the month, European Heritage Days and Museum Night.
Free admission upon presentation of valid proof for under-26s, job seekers, holders of the ICOM card, the press and culture professionals.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 25 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
The museum offers guided tours, workshops and educational activities throughout the year.
Getting there & parking
The museum is housed in the Castillet, Place de Verdun, Perpignan.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Groups visit by reservation with the public service (04 68 66 24 66). Guided tours and workshops are offered throughout the year. |
