Perigueux and its Gallo-Roman trail

Périgueux
Perigueux and its Gal ...

In addition to its Medieval-Renaissance old town, Périgueux also has a Gallo- Roman quarter which traces are still visible in elevation views! I start my circuit at the Tourist Office where I pick up a map that allows me to follow the steps of my Petrucorien ancestors!

 

I go up the Rue de la Cité and find myself in front of the Saint-Etienne Church. Its dome reminds me the one of Saint-Front and looking at its façade, I can see that a piece is missing. I learn through the explanation boards that its domes and its bell tower were destroyed. Its architecture is however very well made with beautiful semi circular arches. Inside, I can see the grave of the bishop Jean d’Asside and a beautiful organ. However, it is a bit dark, as the light makes it difficultly through the stained glass window!

 

My map indicates the garden of the Arenas! This garden is original; it is surrounded by houses and is used now as a roundabout! I am in the former quarter dedicated to games and entertainment! This space mixes both a relaxing park and an archaeological site. There are benches everywhere, children’s playgrounds and a superb fountain feeding a body of water! It is an excellent public park, ideal to rest, relax or picnic just two steps away from the town centre!

 

I carry to try to find the gate called “Normande” dating from the Bas Empire and Barbar invasions. Just nearby, there is the Gallo-Roman wall. A board indicates the gate of Mars but I do not think this one is visible. It must be on private property, I did not find it!

 

The next stop is the ruined 12th century Barrière Castle. There is a contrast between the age of this building destroyed time and all the contemporary urban developments around! Its flamboyant gothic door is superb; I really like its sculptures. For many years it has been used as an open-air theatre, an excellent idea! The Périgueux medieval fair also takes place in front of the castle in summer! A not to be missed event!!

 

I end my circuit with my Gallo-Roman ancestors going by Vésone and its beautiful floral park. It is another ideal green space for picnic or for relaxing afternoons with family or frinds. The 2nd century tower beautifies the landscape, I feel really small next to it. The explanations help to reconstruct the full original tower, the columns around used as ambulatory to the worshippers are also the missing!  It took me a little bit more than hour to do the whole Gallo-Roman circuit. This last one completes the medieval part of Périgueux and brought me back to the origins of the town! This shows once more the very rich heritage of the capital of the Perigord, the ancient and medieval vestiges integrate perfectly with the modern urban developments. This is here all the charm and success of Périgueux!


Périgueux et son parcours Gallo-Romain

Périgueux et son parcours Gallo-Romain
Périgueux et son parcours Gallo-Romain
Périgueux et son parcours Gallo-Romain
Périgueux et son parcours Gallo-Romain
Périgueux et son parcours Gallo-Romain
Périgueux et son parcours Gallo-Romain
Périgueux et son parcours Gallo-Romain


Back to "Family Time"

You will also like

The Gras market in Périgueux

The Gras market in Périgueux
The Gras market in Périgueux

Périgueux

Top 10 cold visits in Périgord

Top 10 cold visits in Périgord
Top 10 cold visits in Périgord

Périgueux

Treat yourself to a cocooning and balneotherapy stay in the most beautiful town in Périgord!

Treat yourself to a cocooning and balneotherapy stay in the most beautiful town in Périgord!
Treat yourself to a cocooning and balneotherap ...

Périgueux

Périgueux: a walk to discover the city's heritage

Périgueux: a walk to discover the city's heritage
Périgueux: a walk to discover the city's heritage

Périgueux

Getting married in Périgord

Getting married in Périgord
Getting married in Périgord

Périgueux

You will like also

Périgueux

Périgueux
Périgueux

Geographically, Périgueux occupies a central position in Périgord. With more than 31,000 inhabitants, it fulfills ...

55 m - Périgueux

Périgord Military Museum

Périgord Military Museum
Périgord Military Museum

Museum gathering the military souvenirs brought back by the Périgourdins during their campaigns, whether they ...

93 m - Périgueux

Saint Front Cathedral

Saint Front Cathedral
Saint Front Cathedral

World Heritage of Humanity (1998) as a major stopover on the way to Santiago de Compostela (Vézelay route). Unique ...

139 m - Périgueux

Mataguerre Tower

Mataguerre Tower
Mataguerre Tower

Last fortification of the medieval enclosure of the borough of Puy Saint-Front made up of twenty-eight towers and 17 ...

211 m - Périgueux

MAAP - Museum of Art and Archeology of Périgord

MAAP - Museum of Art and Archeology of Périgord
MAAP - Museum of Art and Archeology of Périgord

Enter a large 19th century institution, full of charm with its high colored walls and creaking parquet floors. You ...

267 m - Périgueux

Ride around

Dans la roue de Lawrence d'Arabie Etape 3 Périgueux-Hautefort

Dans la roue de Lawrence d'Arabie Etape 3 Périgueux-Hautefort
Dans la roue de Lawrence d'Arabie Etape 3 Péri ...

73 m - Périgueux

Velo hybrid

Autour de l'époque antique à Périgueux

Autour de l'époque antique à Périgueux
Autour de l'époque antique à Périgueux

212 m - Périgueux

Walking

Voie de Vézelay Etape 4 : Périgueux-Saint Astier

Voie de Vézelay Etape 4 : Périgueux-Saint Astier
Voie de Vézelay Etape 4 : Périgueux-Saint Astier

355 m - Périgueux

Walking

Périgueux en écomobilité

Périgueux en écomobilité
Périgueux en écomobilité

1,0 km - Périgueux

Walking Velo hybrid

Périgueux en écomobilité

Périgueux en écomobilité
Périgueux en écomobilité

1,0 km - Périgueux

Walking Velo hybrid Bike / road