The white Périgord

PÉRIGUEUX

PREHISTORY

Périgueux hosts the second largest museum of prehistory in France, “The Museum of Art and Archeology”. The museum will guide you through a fascinating time traveling journey from the Stone Age to the Bronze Age. A large collection of tools and rare exhibits will tell you the epicstory of one of the Heros from the banks of the Isle river : the Chancelade man.

Gallo-roman period

2,000 years ago, Périgueux was born from the union between the Gauls and the Roman invaders and was called “Vesunna”. A sumptuous and prosperous town, Vesunna had temples, public baths, a 20,000 seats ampitheatre, beautiful decorated villas with frescoes and mosaics.

Numerous vestiges remain from this extraordinary period. The Vesunna tower, built by the Romans during the 1st century, is the most sacred part of a sanctuary built in the heart of this fabulous ancient town. The Arena’s Gardens, the Normandy Gate and the exclusive collections of the Vesunna Museum.

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DISCOVER GALLO-ROMAN PÉRIGUEUX

The tourist office will help you discover, during a well planned tour, The Vesunna Temple, the recently opened Gallo-Roman museum (Vesunna) at the heart of the ancient town (designed by the international architect Jean Nouvel) then the Roman street, the Castle Barriere, the Normandy Gate, the Gallo-Roman wall, the amphitheater and to finish, l’Église de la Cité, the only Cathedral of Périgueux UNTIL 1577.

Discovery tours 3pm – Information for the tours programme at the Tourist Office : 05 53 53 10 63

From June to September, and from Monday to Saturday : 10.30am ; 2.30pm ; 4pm and the Sunday 3pm. 

Groups : everyday, all year, booking required.

Renaissance

In what is today one of the most preserved areas of France, Lapeyre House, Estignard House, Logis Saint-Front, the Consul’s House, the Confectioner’s house… here and there, in Rue de la Sagesse, Rue de la Misericorde or Rue Limogeanne, are a reminder of the Renaissance period and the prosperity of the town. With perhaps, as an eternal signature of beauty and harmony, the salamander of Francois 1st on the tympanum of doors.

Click here to see the photos of Périgueux

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PéRIGUEUX : THE TOWN AND ITS HISTORY

The town’s heritage will take you back to the zenith of the Roman Empire with its many vestiges of roman life and its Gallo-Roman Museum (Vesunna), which will make you appreciate the treasures of the antique city of Vesunna. Vesunna is a town that will surprise you with its prominent and majestic temple.

Strolling down a medieval side street or from square to square, you will find half-timbered houses, beautiful residences with towers, which are the legacy of the rich merchants of Périgueux. In this large historic quarter, the Saint Front Cathedral sits prominently at the hilltop. This inspired Byzantine edifice, which the Périgord inhabitants are proud of, displays a Greek cross with coupoles. The various restorations over the years make it a very unusual building.

Built on the pilgrim’s route to St-Jacques de Compostelle (Unesco World heritage since 1998), the Saint Front Cathedral is an important milestone for the pilgrims.

During your journey trough the centuries, you will also discover beautifully decorated private homes dating from the Renaissance  

The history book of Périgueux is not yet closed. The most recent town plan delivered long straight streets, wide boulevards with perfectly aligned facades : apartments with bay windows and balconies… bringing a Parisian Boulevard atmosphere and letting you experience the Belle Epoque.

Stroll around Périgueux with us ! Watch our report on the historic city centre, which is home to an extraordinary heritage ! Between the narrow streets, the listed buildings, the magnificent cathedral and the gardens, the green lungs of the city, you can't get tired of Périgueux. 

Follow us for a video report of a walk in the centre of Périgueux ! (fr)

Périgueux Today 

Périgueux, situated at the heart of Périgord is turned towards the future. Périgueux, which counts 30,000 inhabitants, is a dynamic, touristic and pleasant town to live with its busy and animated town center, training schools (2,000 students) and historic quarters. Périgueux counts also many green areas, which have been awarded 4 flowers by the “flourished town and villages competition”.

Local flavour

The Markets

• Large markets, Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8am to 1pm :  Place du Coderc, Place de la Clautre and Place de l’hôtel de ville.
• Foie gras market, Wednesdays and Saturdays (Mid-November to end of March), from 8am to 1pm : Place Saint Louis. 
• Contact the Tourism Office for trading markets dates
• Markets every day from 8am to 1pm: Place du Coderc

Every summer, Périgueux comes alive on the Wednesday evening of the Nuits Gourmandes, a magnificent festive and convivial farmers' market. The whole town centre becomes pedestrian, concerts take place in the squares and shows punctuate these evenings of festivities and summer celebrations ! 

Watch our video report on the Nuits Gourmandes de Périgueux ! (fr)

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ON THE MOVE IN PÉRIGUEUX 

Around Périgueux, you will find more than 200km of mapping trails and paths accessible to all, allowing you to stroll in the forests, along the rivers and taking the time for a break in a picnic area.  Mapping trail sold at the Tourist Office.

After a little walk, go down the river in canoe and enjoy a little escape to admire the Périgord’s heritage.

Fancy a few holes ? Saltgourde golf is only 5 mn from the town centre and will welcome you in a quiet atmosphere, equipped with a practice range with various posts, a putting green, bar, restaurant… Great moments of pleasures and fresh air guaranteed !

CULTURAL EVENTS

The big events : 

• Expoésie Festival (Poetry Festival) : March 
• Saint Georges Celebrations (Fêtes de la Saint Georges) : Beginning of May
• Strawberry Festival in Vergt - Third Sunday of May 
• Nocturnal markets (Marchés de nuit) : July and August, Wednesday evening
• Mimos International Festival : July 
• Torchlight procession (Les balades aux flambeaux) : Summer
• New-Orleans music Festival (Festival de Musique de Nouvelle-Orléans) : August
• Medieval Festival : August 
• Jazz concert Macadam in the streets : July and August, Tuesdays 
• Organ music games (Jeux d’Orgues) : July to September, Sundays
• Silver Truffes (Truffes d’argent) : July and August
• International Baroc music Festival- Sinfonia : End of August
• The spirit of the voices (L’esprit des voix) – All year
• Péri'meuh : September 
• Heritage Days : September
• International Salon of the Gourmet Book of Périgueux : Biennal November
• Christmas market (Marchés de Noël) : December

HOW TO COME TO PÉRIGUEUX ?

• By car
  Paris → (A20) Limoges → (RN21) Périgueux
  Paris → (A10) Poitiers → (RN10) Angoulême→ (D939) Périgueux
  Bordeaux → (A89) Périgueux
  Toulouse → (A62) Montauban → (A20) Brive → (A89) Périgueux

• By Train
  Périgueux is easily accessible by train, especially from Paris :
  Departure Paris-Austerlitz via Limoges (journey duration from 3h50 to 4h50)
  Departure Paris-Montparnasse by TGV via Libourne (journey duration from 3h30 to 4h)
  Coming from Bordeaux, Limoges or Brive, ten daily connections (journey duration from 1h to 1h20)
  SNCF information: +33 (0)8 92 35 35 35 (0,34€/mn) or voyage-sncf.com

• By plane 
  Liaisons à partir des aéroports de villes voisines accessibles par le train :
  Roissy CDG Airport (Direct TGV Roissy-Libourne then TER from Libourne or Bordeaux)
  Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport –  National and International flights (shuttle between airport and Bordeaux train station then direct line towards Périgueux) Bordeaux  Airport Information : +33 (0)5 56 35 50 50 
  Limoges Aiport – National and International flights (taxis between airport and train station)Limoges Aiport Infromation : +33 (0)5 55 43 30 30 
  Brive Aiport – National flights (taxis between airport and train station) 
  Brive Airport Information : +33 (0)5 55 86 88 36
  Connection from Bergerac only by car or taxi
  Liaisons à partir de Bergerac uniquement accessible en voiture ou taxi:
  Bergerac Airport – International Flights
  Bergerac Airport Information : +33 (0)5 53 22 25 25

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A walk in the renaissance Périgueux

La Tour Mataguerre (The Mataguerre Tower) : Originally the town’s medieval wall was built with 28 towers and 11 gates, the Mataguerre tower is the last of the original towers.

L’Hôtel Lagrange :  Place de l'Hôtel de Ville; this fortified building dates from the 15th and 17th centuries, and was used during the “fronde” period. 

L'Hôtel Abzac de Ladouze :  16 Rue Aubergerie; 15th century fortified residence.

The famous Place St Louis; once the location of the Périgueux fire brigade station, Place St Louis is now a charming square full of restaurants and terraces to chill out. You can also admire the 14th century  “maison du patissier”, which during the 19th century became the house of a famous baker who created the celebrated Périgueux paté.  

Discover the geese and duck products market in Place St Louis from November to March. 

PÉRIGUEUX TODAY

Thanks to a well-thought and modern urban plan, Périgueux can benefit in its town center of beautiful places and modern equipment.  Périgueux is a pleasant city to live : Cinema, Universities, the new place “Francheville”, the fabulous green way, where each week, hundreds of townsfolk looking for workouts and peace meet. There are also many green spaces ; Parc Gamenson, The arena gardens (Jardin des Arenes), Vesunna Garden…

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sorges

The Truffe market, which is taking place each year the last Sunday of January, attracts a big crowd and more and more international tourists. “Lauberge de la Truffe” which is listed “Logis de France”, is highly recommended (3 stars) and welcomes all year round international customers. Sorges also welcomes many delegations from European countries but also China, Russia…

Click to read our report (fr)

Mussidan

What to see : 15th century church of Sourzac, Saint-Martin-l’Astier Roman church, and the Voulgre Museum of arts and crafts.

Vergt

Surrounded by charming villages: Bourrou, Creyssensac and Pissot (chapel of the XI), Lacropte, St-Mayme de Pereyrol, Cendrieux, etc... pictures of rural France. Leisure centre and lake of Neufont. Hiking trails...